The other day I was having breakfast with my family at a local restaurant.  It had good reviews and was very crowded so my stomach growled in anticipation.  While at this restaurant, I observed two of the patrons sending back their dishes because the eggs were undercooked.  The waitress apologized and returned shortly with their eggs cooked to perfection.   I thought this was the end of the story until I heard their little girl tell her mother she hoped they would come back.  It was her father's response that shocked me.  He told his little girl that "Mommy doesn’t give second chances."   That was a pretty harsh statement for a plate of undercooked eggs.  It made me wonder if she applied the same rule to people.


Imagine a world without second chances.  For one thing, there wouldn't be any long lasting relationships and divorce rates would be even higher.   People would keep each other at arm's length for fear of being offended.   A world without second chances is one without love, forgiveness and mercy.   It's devoid of peace as there is a drive for perfectionism.   I wouldn't want to live like that.   I couldn't live like that.


The Bible talks about second chances but it's called by a different name.  Its name is redemption.  Redemption is the act of redeeming a fault or mistake.  It also means to rescue.  In the case of the undercooked eggs, the mistake was redeemed but how do we apply redemption for a larger offense?   First and foremost it takes humility.   Humility is the willingness to swallow your pride, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. 


I am walking through a season with someone I love where redemption is not an option.  For them, the offenses were too great and the pain too deep.  There are no second chances.   They say they've forgiven but have they really?   


Lately, I've seen forgiveness in a new light.   Recently I attended my 50th high school reunion.  High school holds both good and bad memories for me.   I had some wonderful friends but there were others who were very unkind and, in fact, brutal.  Over the past few years, I've had to reconcile that part of my past and forgive those who caused me pain.   However, as the reunion drew closer, I started getting anxious about seeing these people as old memories resurfaced.  This caused me to doubt whether I truly forgave them.


The night of the reunion, I walked into the venue with apprehension.  Throughout the night, I came face-to-face with the two I dreaded most and to my relief and surprise, it was all ok.   There was no pain or animosity whatsoever.   I learned that night that forgiveness involves letting go and repentance for the negative feelings of anger, resentment and bitterness, but it doesn't mean you forget what happened.   That night I knew I had truly forgiven them and I could move on.   


With one person in particular, there was a second chance.   We had been best friends growing up but as we got older, we hurt each other and never totally moved past it.  Without redemption, we wouldn't have a chance.


That's how God is with us. He's provided a way to get to know His love and forgiveness.  He wrote a book about it.  It's the story of redemption.  It's called the Bible.  I encourage you to read it.  It'll change your life.

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.