The past few days I've been decorating my new house for Christmas.   What should be a fun time has been nothing but frustrating.   I've collected a lot of decorations over the years and most have sentimental value.   I had to sell or give away about half of them because I knew I could never use them all when I moved.  At the old house, each piece had a specific spot and I rarely changed it.  This year I'm working with a blank canvas.   Nothing is familiar, so as I took each piece to find it a home, I felt the tension and anxiety rising within me.   This morning I hit a wall.   


As I opened another box, I noticed something Laura made when she was 7 yrs old.   It was a reindeer face made of construction paper.  Most of its features were triangle shapes except for the antlers.   They were made from tracings of her little hands.   As I pulled it out, I noticed it was pretty beat up.  The face was crumpled and the antlers had torn.  One ripped completely off.   As I looked at it, that's when I hit the wall.   I took my precious memory and got out the scotch tape.  As the tears fell I heard the words "let it go." 


It was at that moment I knew why I had been so frustrated and anxious.  I was desperately trying to make the old fit into the new.  I don't like change,  I never have so when I'm faced with the unknown and situations I can't control, I fight the change with everything I have.   I relive the days gone by hoping the memories would mask the change.  It doesn't help.  It only makes it worse.


That little reindeer face taught me something today.   It's ok to let go.  It may be hard and it may take time but it's going to be ok.   I'll make new memories and life will be good.   I don't want to be stuck in the past.  I want to live life to the fullest but first I have to let go. 


I'm going to start by asking myself each time I feel that anxiety, "is it worth it?"   I already know it's not.  I can't do this on my own.  I don't have the strength but I know the One who does.  This is a verse I came across a while back.   I have it set as wallpaper on my phone so I can see it every day.  It's my prayer.  I hope it can help you let

go.


"Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

Isaiah 46:4 NIV


Just so you know.   I taped that reindeer back together and I am going to hang it up on the refrigerator.  Letting go doesn't always mean throwing it away.  It means not letting it have the power to control how you live, think or feel.   Some day that little reindeer will probably be thrown away but until then, I can let go and enjoy that precious memory that brings me joy!

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.