Look at Life . . . and Learn

Photo by Carlene Hardt ©2007

Look at life, take a new view;
There are lessons to learn,
sort the false from the true.

Don’t let the past weigh you down;
Surrender dark recollections,
hand over that frown.

Don’t let the present overwhelm you;
Be realistic about what
you think you can do.

Don’t let the future cause you to fear;
Trust God, He knows all about it,
and He is here.

Past, present, future, life is your own;
With Jesus as Friend you need not face
your days alone.

Banish confusion, frustration!
Embrace God’s love, faith, and
shining expectation.

Be blessed with joy and peaceful glow;
Look at life anew with thankfulness
and learn to grow.

By Elaine Hardt ©2007

A thankful heart is the cure for a complaining mouth. — Elaine Hardt

From Bored to Restored!

What do you say when there’s nothing to say,
Your mind is completely blank?
You stifle that frown, put a little smile on
And you think of Someone to thank.

“Oh, God,” you begin with great honesty,
“I’ve lost my joy, I’ve nothing to do;
But — I could go through the motions, without emotions
And leave the results up to You.”

Thankfulness is a powerful way
To defeat life’s aggravations;
Firmly set aside your own agenda,
Open God’s Word for contemplation.

Read with your heart, not just with your eyes,
Meet your Lord in a reality prayer;
Confess those misbehaving feelings,
Receive your restoration there.

Listen up: this is a test, do your best!
Refuse to sink into confusion’s mire;
You CAN walk that road, you CAN carry that load,
God’s plan is to take you higher!

By Elaine Hardt ©2006

Now the View is Peaceful

(Photo by Peter Hardt ©2006)

Dark storm clouds move aside, revealing
A radiant sun in a peaceful blue field
Has been there
All the time.

Internal turmoil lessens, revealing
A strong heart surrounded by God’s love;
He’s been here
All the time.

Questions sometimes jab like lightning bolts;
A weary mind examines possibilities,
Because He’s still here
All the time.

Discomfort stirs my realizations
I can’t make a success of myself alone;
I need Someone who’s here
All the time.

Another storm may roll in. Sooner? Later?
God’s faithfulness, His grace, His power
Keeps me, grows me
All the time.

by Elaine Hardt ©2007

This Is Most Certainly So

One day as I pondered a problem
the answer came simply to me:
Why do I worry, why do I fret?
Here’s something I must not forget:

He did it before; He can do it again,
God is totally awesome;
If we knew it then, we should know it now,
He is the mighty God.

When He did it before, we should remember back then,
God is completely faithful;
His Word is still true, He knows what to do,
God is the One that we need.

If we needed Him then, we need Him now,
God is certainly able;
When we call out to Him, we can trust Him,
God is the Ruler of all.

There’s nothing too hard, for He is the Lord,
God made the whole Universe;
When we humbly call, He hears us all,
God wants to answer our prayer.

We’re worn out with sin, we need Him within,
God wants to save our soul;
Repentance is needed, His Word is heeded,
Then He can answer our call.

Now He’s my Lord, and now He’s my friend,
And this is how it will be;
One day I’m going to Heaven to see
Jesus who died for me.

And how about you? You need Him, too,
Let Jesus enter your heart;
Don’t wait and delay, this is your day,
God is calling to you.

By Elaine Hardt ©2003