So, Where's Spring?

Spring, you are a little tease!
You come and go just when you please;
We watch for snow to blow and go,
Say goodbye to winter’s freeze.

Are you here or are you not?
Will it be chilly or get hot?
When shall we plant, and what will grow
In the yard and garden plot?

We love little buds and sprouts,
and greening leaves without a doubt;
So let your bashful beauty show,
Splash your colors all about.

Whisper with your scented breeze,
Congratulate the growing trees;
Display God’s goodness, let all know
How refreshing Spring can be.

By Elaine Hardt ©1999
photo by Peter Hardt ©2009

A Good Day?

“This is God’s world,

This is God’s day,

And I am God’s child.”

This cheery salutation turns our thoughts to the true priorities of life, as we shrug off the dark, chill night. Whether the sun is shining or not, we have reason to be happy.

When asked if he was having a good day, Rod, the check-out man at CostCo replied, “It’s always a good day.” Sister, Carol signs off her letters with, “Life is good. And I am blessed.”

Is this just “positive thinking,” or is it true? Is it a childish statement, or is it an affirmation from a sincere believer?

How would you write your own good morning greeting?

By Elaine Hardt ©2009
Photo by Joy Hardt ©2007

I Wish You Flowers

Sculptured fragrance that whispers of love: the perfect rose
in creamy white, crimson red, golden-peach elegant clothes.

Delicate snow-white baby’s breath, gladiola and iris, too,
Ruffled petunia, orchids, violets, flowers of every hue.

There’s more! God’s bounty of beauty lavishly growing
Around the world a dazzling array of form and color showing.

I wish you flowers even more remarkable than any of these;
Picture a hedge with sharp thorns, taller than trees.

That’s part of its splendor. Thorns? you cry.
Yes! Well-watered, thriving, reaching to the sky.

God gives each believer a hedge of protection.
The colors are a product of sanctified imagination.

How about green, with royal-purple budded exclamations?
Or, maybe pale gray leaves and flaming blood-red carnations?

As absolute protection against all that would assault and harm our lives
His hedge perfectly encircles and wondrously beautifies,

Allowing us to bloom where we’re planted, refreshed by blessing showers.
So for today and always, my friend, I wish you a hedge of flowers.

— Elaine Hardt ©1995
Photo by Carlene Hardt ©2006

Stranger on 29th Lane

The man walked dejectedly down the road. Glancing out the front bedroom window I just happened to see him, and I watched to see what would happen next. A moment later he turned into our driveway.

Garbed in a heavy brown jacket he wore no hat, even though the February breeze was cold this afternoon. He was carrying some sort of a large grocery bag. With only a dozen houses on our road I knew every neighbor fairly well, and I was sure I hadn’t seen him before.

Presently, the doorbell rang, and I knew it was the stranger.

With a nice smile he introduced himself, holding up a gallon plastic jug. “I have a great new cleaning product,” the young man began.

Already I knew I didn’t need whatever it was. But I was kind as I interrupted, “We don’t need any, but thank you.”

After I closed the door I went to the bedroom window where I couldn’t be seen through the sheer curtains. There he was, walking down the road to my neighbor’s house. I knew it was too early for Nancy to be home from work. This stranger would find no sales at all on this street, I thought.

Getting back to my desk a sudden heaviness filled my eyes. I wept for the man. Can you believe it?

The sensible thing was to reconsider the possibilities. He could be scoping out the neighborhood, looking for likely places to rob when there’d be no one home. He could be looking for young kids to open the door and he’d invite himself in if they said that mom wasn’t home yet. Maybe this or maybe that, who knows.

He looked strong and healthy; he should have had a real job, real work with predictable pay. But with the local economy so bad right now . . .

There was nothing else for me to do but pray. I asked God to bless him in some wonderful and unexpected way. I asked for his needs to be met. I prayed that he’d go over to the local men’s shelter in town if he needed a place to stay. Then I got bold. “Lord, keep this guy from thinking of crime. Keep him from depression and anger.” Finally, I added, “I’m sorry I am not the one to help him, but I know You have someone today for him.”

Only last week our newspaper had a story about some homeless vet who was camping out behind some bushes at the town park. A big slobbery dog found his hiding place, but snuggled up to him and kept him warm overnight. The reporter concluded by telling how that big church downtown “adopted” the guy and got him into the men’s shelter.

Oh, for a happy ending. At least I know God is faithful to His Word. He does not leave any of us alone; His Holy Spirit will speak in the quietness to that stranger’s heart and hopefully the man will respond to His love. After all, there are no strangers to the Lord.

“ . . . Lord, when did we see You a stranger
and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
Or, when did we see You sick
or in prison and come to You?”
And the King will answer and say to them,
'Assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did it
to one of the least of these My brethren,
you did it to Me.'”
Matthew 25: 37-40 NKJV

by Elaine Hardt ©2009

From Frustration to Confidence

I realize that worry doesn’t look too good on me,
Frustration mounts and fogs my memory,
Fear has a way of sneaking in;
Lord, forgive me for this sin!

Just because some barely conceal anger in what they say,
Just because some are silent and look the other way,
Just because others stir up deception and strife,
I’ll not let them run my life.

Just because I don’t have all the answers needed for change,
Just because I lack the power to rearrange,
And on my own I stumble a little too much;
I’ll ask the Lord for His touch.

Economics, politics, crime, and troubles of all kinds,
Awareness of evil can overwhelm our minds;
I sort of need to know about some of this stuff,
But without the Lord, it’s too rough.

Here are some things I must continue to remind myself,
A spiritual enemy attacks with stealth;
Trust God and obey, this is the way
He gives us confidence today.

By Elaine Hardt ©2009

Ode to Weeds

Oh, beautiful for flowers small and wild variety,
Famed for unique design and curious complexity,

Nearly camouflaged in color, some of you are barely seen;
Others sprout in wild defiance, proudly wearing shades of green.

Persistently determined (from experience I’ve learned)
Emblazoned in a sidewalk crack when my back is turned.

Spring’s recent shower seems to have revitalized your beauty;
Strong-willed, you keep coming back, your staunchly stubborn duty.

Your bonnie blooms are completely unappreciated;
Your usefulness, my dislike of you, is now contemplated.

Your roots so long and tangled in non-uniformity;
I tug and then I conquer you, your toughness I can see.

I question all the work involved, oh, what is best to do?
Pull by hand in admiration, or spray the toxic brew?

In God’s wisdom He designed this fascinating sphere,
But I question your invasion, especially right here.

Would that I had gardened in Eden so far away and fair,
Then this irritating burden would not be mine to bear.

Your rowdy seed I do not need, as yet the breezes blow;
I ponder life’s existence and things I do not know.

Here, in conclusion, my simple song I urge you heed,
In tribute grudgingly, this springtime Ode to Weeds.

By Elaine Hardt ©2005

The Purpose of a Problem

Determination makes you strong,
Apathy makes you weak;
The problem brings a choice to you.

Reject confusion, depression!
Stand tall inside your heart;
God gives the power to you.

Pray for wisdom, help, protection.
Analyze, plan, then do;
God means for this to strengthen you.

By Elaine Hardt ©2009
Photo by Peter Hardt ©2004