STEPPING OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE

This week has been a hard one where I was faced with several new challenges.   I was feeling overwhelmed and defeated.  As I was writing, this verse came to mind, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5).  Last night, the light broke through.  I hosted a game night for the church ladies to get to know one another.   It started out with apprehension and some confusion but it turned into a wonderful night full of laughter and joy.   People entered as strangers but left with the start of a new relationship.  They were strangers no more.

I truly believe we were meant to live in relationship with one another.  Introvert or extrovert, it doesn’t matter.  We need one another.   It would be easy to blame COVID-19 for our lack of relationship, but if we’re being honest, for some of us, it started long before that.  COVID-19 was a physically imposed isolation that we had no control over, but some of us had been isolating ourselves for a long time.   Anxiety and fear will do that.  Now that COVID-19 is in the past, we have to deal with the residue and decide whether or not to step out from behind our insecurities and fear or stay bound by them.

Being someone who has suffered from anxiety for decades, there has always been a tendency to pull back and isolate as a form of control and self-protection.  COVID-19 fed that fear and made it easy to justify the isolation.  I now find myself fighting for each and every step I take.  Some days I ask myself if it’s worth the battle.  I’m choosing to believe it is.  I’m choosing to believe that there will come a day when I wake up without dread and I will face the day with boldness and courage.

In order to do this, I need God.   I need His wisdom, His strength and His courage and I need to believe what He says about me.   He calls me His beloved, the apple of His eye; His child.   He tells me I don’t have to be afraid and I can do anything in His strength.   Nothing is impossible with Him. 

The other thing I need is relationship with others in a healthy way.   I need to love and be loved,  to build up and not tear down.   It works both ways. So that’s why I hosted game night and will do so again.  It was a big step but to be a part of that fellowship, hear the laughter and see the smiles on their faces brought healing to my soul.   I felt alive again.   Isn’t that what we all need?

I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone.   I’m not saying it’s easy but as you step out into the light, something will change…you will change.   Send that encouraging text, pray for that person who’s struggling.  Go for a walk and say hello to someone you pass on the street.  Smile at someone you don’t know.   One small gesture could be a life changer for you and for them.   We were born to do it.  We need to do it.   There’s healing in it.


 

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.