When I was a little girl, I used to go and stay with my aunt for a week every summer.  My aunt loved birds and would feed them right outside her kitchen window so she could watch them.  She even learned how to replicate some of their birdsongs.  Her favorite was the cardinal.  Every time I see one, I think of her.


I inherited her fascination with birds so if you come and sit with me in my backyard, you'll see my birdfeeder and birdhouses.  I look forward to spring when the sparrows build their nests and I will soon hear the baby birds chirping their song.


This year was a little different.  Instead of building their nest in the spring, they came in the summer.   I thought it was a little odd but it wasn't long until I heard the babies singing.


The other day I noticed the roof to the birdhouse was giving way and was only hanging on by one corner.  Not good.  I had visions of the last corner letting go and that precious little family plummeting to the ground.  Last night we had a bad storm and I was afraid to look outside.   Thankfully it was still there hanging by a thread.


I went out to investigate and as I got underneath it, I didn't hear anything.  I pulled the branch down and peered in.  Nothing was moving so I thought maybe the little birds were big enough and flew away.   I decided to take that house down and replace it with another.  As I set it on the ground, I lifted off the roof and to my surprise, there were three little birds fast asleep!   I was horrified because I didn't know what to do.   How was I going to fix this? 


The key word here is “fix.”   Earlier this morning I was struggling with a couple of situations happening to people I love.  I was tormented with worry because I couldn't do anything to fix them.   I sat there and prayed asking God for His help.   He reminded me of this  verse:


“Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?”   Matthew 6:26 NLT‬


At first  I thought He was talking to me about the birds but then I realized He was talking to me personally.  He was trying to help me see that there are certain situations only He can fix and therefore, worrying is pointless.  He cares about my loved ones so much more than I could even imagine.  He has always taken care of them and He always will.  My job is to pray and leave it in His hands unless He tells me otherwise.


So back to the birdhouse.  At first my mind started racing frantically with “What do I do?” but then I heard that verse again about God taking care of the birds.  I ended up putting super glue on the roof and hammering in the old nails the best I could.  After the glue set, I carefully put it back in the tree.   I checked 30 min later and it's still there with the mother bird flying in and out caring for her babies.


If you have been following my journey, you know there's a moral to every story.  This one is about hope.  Hope that God is in control and I don't need to worry.  Hope that He will fix what needs fixing in His way and His time.  Hope that I can believe even when I don't understand.  Hope that He will always bring about something good.  And hope that He will make a way where there is no way.  I know it's not easy to stop worrying but with hope, it's possible. 


Father, help me to remember how much you care about everything that concerns me.  Bring back to my memory all the times You worked everything out.  Help me to let go and lay my worries at Your feet.  Thank you for loving me even when I doubt. 

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.