If you know little boys, you know they are an entity unto themselves.   Growing up, I had one sister.   I played with girls and never did any babysitting as a teenager so boys and their character were foreign to me.  When I had my two sons, my eyes were opened.   Suddenly I had these two little boys whose brains functioned in ways I couldn't grasp.  Thankfully they never set anything on fire but there was a day I'll always remember.


It was a warm, sunny day.   The kids were playing outside in the backyard and my husband and I were inside.  Suddenly we heard the kind of scream that propels a parent into fight or flight.  It was coming from the backyard and it was our son.


My husband jumped to his feet and started running toward the back door. He didn't even stop to put his shoes on.  I wasn't far behind.   I'll never forget the scene that awaited us.   At first we didn't see our son as we looked out over the yard.  That was because the screaming was coming from up above.   As we looked toward the sound, there he was high in a tree towering above the house.   He was hanging parallel to the ground with his hands and feet wrapped around a branch.  


My first thought was to yell, “what in the world possessed you to climb up there?”  My husband didn't need clarification.  He simply ran over and stood underneath the branch where our son was hanging.   He took one look at his terrified face, extended his arms out in front of him and said, “Let go, I'll catch you.”   My son started screaming that he couldn't do it but my husband calmly reassured him.  My son had a choice to make and I watched the resignation cross over his face and he let go of the branch.   His father caught him without a problem.


When I think of that time, I am reminded that the apple didn't fall far from the tree.  So many times I thought I was going in the right direction only to find out I ended up in a place I didn't want to be and I didn't know how to get out.  It wasn't until I cried out to my Father in heaven that I saw the way and it always started with God saying, “Let go.  Trust me.”   Sometimes the way was easy and sometimes it was hard but He always “caught” me and put my feet on solid ground.   


Psalm 40:2 says:


“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.”


If you're finding yourself in a place where there seems to be no way out, I encourage you to say these three words, “God help me.”  He will hear you and He will make a way.   


It's ok to let go.  

It's Not The End

By Eileen Glotfelty • May 23, 2026
Are you one of those people who like to read the end of the story before finishing the book? This morning I've been sitting here feeling overwhelmed by life. There are things that are out of my control and a lot of uncertainty. For someone who likes to have a plan, it's my worst nightmare. God's word says that He finishes what He starts and He will complete the good work in me (Philippians 1:6 NIV). I struggle with that when I can't see the finish line. God's word also says He's the Alpha and the Omega which means He is the beginning and the end (Rev 22:13 NIV). To me, that means that He sees it all. He knew where I would be on any given day. He knew my circumstances before I did, but unlike me, He's not worrying and overcome with anxiety because He sees the end. So, once again, I have a choice to make. I can sit here overwhelmed because I can't see the way out, or, I can trust the One who can. Will I choose hope or despair? This leads me to faith which is choosing to believe even though we can't see the outcome. I had to ask myself where I was putting my faith. Hope and faith work together. No amount of striving can earn them. Each one of us has access to them. All we have to do is ask the One who freely gives. Jesus, I know you've written my story and You know how it ends. Everything in this life is temporary. Even though I can't see the end, help me to rest in the fact that You do and I can trust You with my life.

The Lost Sheep

By Eileen Glotfelty • May 11, 2026
A few weeks ago I shared about my estranged child. Mother's Day came and went without a word. I spent the day wondering/hoping I would hear something. I didn't expect a phone call but maybe a text. I told myself not to have any expectations, but I still did. I was almost angry at myself for thinking maybe this year would be different. This morning I sat here talking to the Lord. He wants me to be honest with Him so I didn't try to hide the sorrow and the rejection. I told Him I was hurt and I had to forgive my child once again. He reminded me that I had three other children who hadn't forgotten me and made me feel loved and honored, so why was the rejection of one so painful? It was then I remembered the story of the lost sheep. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, it's about a shepherd who has a flock of a hundred sheep. One of them goes astray and the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to go find it. It was a gentle reminder that He will never give up on my child and He loves Him more than I could imagine. In the same way, God will never give up on any of us. No matter how much we run or push Him away, He will never leave us. I needed that encouragement, maybe you do too.

The Prodigal

By Eileen Glotfelty • April 19, 2026
For those of you who have a prodigal child, you're not alone. What I mean by prodigal is a child who has turned their back on you and put up walls of defense. It came as a surprise, a shock actually. I should've seen it coming but after years of butting heads, I truly thought we were in a better place. The revelation came in a letter where thoughts and feelings were shared. I felt my spirit being crushed as I read it and my heart broke. I know I wasn't the perfect mother. I had struggles and behaviors that had followed me since childhood. I had resolved never to treat my children the way I was treated, but how many of us know that sadly it still happens, but in a different way. When you have a prodigal, it's not about forgiveness and reconciliation, it's about the pain they feel we've inflicted and they can't let go of it. I keep hoping that some day, things will change but there's no guarantee as it takes two surrendered hearts that are open to be healed. It's been four years now since I received that letter. I have grieved in a way I never have before and there were times I didn't think I would make it through. It's a different kind of grief because you know it can change but it's out of your control. It's been a process and I've experienced rejection, abandonment, guilt and shame but it brought me to a place where I knew it was going to keep me in a prison of pain if I didn't surrender it to God so He could heal my heart. The Bible has a story about a prodigal son. Even though the son went his own way and abandoned his father, his father never gave up hope. When the son had an “aha” moment and realized how foolish he had been, he humbled himself and returned home. This is my favorite of the story: “So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20 NIV” This is how God greets everyone who returns to Him, no matter what they've done. I pray I would react the same way with my son. If you have a prodigal, my heart goes out to you, but just know that God sees you and your child. He is working behind the scenes as He is a God of redemption and reconciliation. He will heal your broken heart and give you the strength to hold on.