A New Year's Prayer -- for Every Day, Too

 Dear Heavenly Father,  

Thanks for the memories of dear family members who have died !

Thanks for providing for them, giving  blessings to each one through their  years !

Help me remember those good times, challenges, opportunities, places we were !

Blessings we ask for the rest of us, who are still here. We smile and also shed tears !

These days many bad worldwide reports we read and hear; they dominate the news.

More problems, big troubles ahead in the world, but we do trust in You.

We are confronted by fear, anger, new sickness, terrible confusion !

Provide and help us every day with wisdom —what to believe, to say, and to do !

Show us as we open the Bible more than we knew when we were little kids.

Give us greater understanding of what happened then — and why and how.

We want grow in confidence in Your love, salvation, and provision.

Help us to grow in faith and trust and love —  and that’s what I need now.

I pray now for family and friends, each one I remember by name;

You know each one’s situation, and please bless and meet their needs today.

I love You,  and thank You,  and praise You !  I look forward to being in Heaven !

I pray this now in Jesus’ name — with great appreciation all this I say. 

AMEN 

by Elaine Hardt ©2020

Doin' It Right !

Oh, yes, I want to do it right

  at the right time,

    in the right way,

      saying the right words

        to the right person.

Oh, yes, I know I need help

  because, lookin’ back later, 

    sometimes 

      what seems to be right at the time

        is not always perfectly right.

Oh, dear Father in Heaven

  forgive my mistakes,

    fix my thinkin’ and sayin’ and doin’ 

      so it pleases You

        and can bless others, too.

                  + + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2020 

Christmas is This Special Time of Year

 We like to celebrate family birthdays,  don’t you ?                                                                                                                                         (And we celebrate Jesus’ birthday every year, too.) 

All the stores have special sales on-line and downtown,

    Decorations glitter on houses all around. 

We do like that nice music, some we remember, 

    And it’s already the first of December ! 

Time to bake yummy deserts, or buy in some store,

    We expect our favorites, but also try much more.

Of course, lots of Christmas cards we will mail.

    And some places get lots of snow, without fail ! 

Presents our mom and our aunties had made brought cheer,

    We looked forward to that happiest day of the year.

Yes, special programs at church there would be,

    Kids and grownups dressed up; who would we see ? 

That whole month was so special we never would forget;

    Photos now help our memories, shows even our pet.

Now, my siblings married and moved, parents have died,

    What I still have are special feelings inside.

Since all those happy days are past, so it is time

    to put some important words into Christmas rhyme,

Jesus is the reason for the season — that’s real !

    Bible truth, eternal life, sins forgiven, peace you’ll feel. 

A BIG commitment, Heaven after dying here !

    God’s wonderful plan, NOW receive His grace, your time is near !

         + + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2020

A Different Kind of Thanksgiving Day

Of course, every year is different, such a variety,

    but it’s always nice, when our family we see.

Of course, count our blessings, we name them each one,

    and we are so grateful for what the LORD has done.

Of course, so many uncertainties every day, 

    so that’s why we remember to pray ! 

Of course, this has been another election year,

    such bad attitudes in the U.S. can bring fear.

Of course, that COVID stuff with so many dying,

    probably you, too, know some family that’s crying.

Of course, government, socialism, and hate

    spoils any happy day clear up to this date. 

Of course, our future we really care about,

    our time to die is unknown, so should we pout ? 

Of course, we went to Sunday School — a good start,

    learned John 3:16, accepted Jesus into our heart. 

Of course, we’ve grown up and it’s time to review,

    read the Bible more, confess sins, pray to God, too. 

Of course, we can give our thanks at any time !

    Stuff you and I write might not always rhyme !   

by Elaine Hardt ©2020

We Wish YOU Happy Memories

We wish you happy memories

       of yesterday and last week -- 

all the way back to your childhood:  

        things to remember you now seek.

Yes, those years when you were home,

growing up in your family —

being cared for, provided for,

so many things to do and see.

Gradually you made your choices; 

challenging you to use your brain.

Thankful that was a lot of fun,

but everything wasn’t plain.

Grownups were around to help,

but they were so bossy, too —

You gave a feeble little smile,

paid attention what to do.

You tried to figure everything ! 

You learned to do the best you could.

Then, going to school at first 

following directions was good. 

Life kept coming, day after day,

And your parents prayed for you;

It turned out good to BE GOOD;

so that’s what you learned to do ! 

                        + + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2020

NOW: Consider Your Possibilities

    Appreciate lessons you have learned, 

        Relatives you remember,

    Help from family as you were growing up.

        Mama would smile, “You’re doing good.”

    Dad nodded his head, “You’re doing better.” 

    Good memories have been helpful,

        Other memories were challenging. 

    Which direction to go now ?

        That’s something to pray about; yes ?

    Many decisions to make . . .  some today . . . 

                     + + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2020

 

Don't Be Discouraged . . . . : )

by Elaine Hardt ©2020

Improving . . . More and More, and More !

       Improving . . . . what a nice word.  When someone says that TO YOU is that a compliment ?

        Or, is that their challenge to YOU and also to those who are there ? 

        To help more of us to focus on this idea, this challenge,  I've combined some other short pieces of writing to make Booklet #119.  And I named that "Improving, More & More & More."  It's 12 pages long.....hopefully it will encourage people.  Of course, we give these away for free.  Look up that category on this home page.     + + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2020

A 55 Cent Bargain

What costs only 55 cents, and can bring a big smile or word of encouragement directly to someone’s mailbox?  A little note or card from YOU can brighten the day of just about anyone.

For this bargain rate you and I can establish a wonderful new holiday, “Appreciation Day.”  It could be any day of the year, but why not choose a date next month.  This gives you a couple of weeks to put the idea into action. 

The strategy was born over 20 years ago in my third grade class.  I wanted to challenge the boys and girls to recognize things they were thankful for and people they could compliment.  After listing some suggestions on the board — janitor, principal, cafeteria ladies, bus driver, music teacher, etc.— we all wrote little thoughtful notes.  It was a successful plan; the children received a lot of positive comments from their recipients.  After that, it was an on-going project every year that I was teaching. 

I described this inspiration in my book of fanciful children’s stories, Stories From Beyond the Double Rainbow, published by Thinking CAPS in 1982. 

Here is a challenge to you.  List some of the people in your life who were a help or an encouragement at sometime in your past.  Maybe you can find the address of your Scout leader, your third grade teacher, or others.  Write a note of appreciation to former pastors, Sunday School teachers, musicians — the men and women who had a hand in making you the person you have become.  Don’t forget to sign and date the letter.  

It doesn’t have to be fancy or complicated.  It’s not a major project that’s going to be graded by your English professor.  

You’ll write a draft copy to begin with, then let it sit on your desk for a few days.  Reread the piece.  See if you’ve said what you wanted to say.  Is it clear?  Does it sound friendly?  Then check for spelling and punctuation.  Finally, copy it or print it out on the computer.  The local office supply store may have attractive border or colored paper.  Or, you can find free “clip art” on the computer, and you can design your own card and print it in color.

I was pleased to find out that mail to servicemen with an APO address goes overseas with just that 55 cent stamp.  Of course, you’ll want to weigh the envelope if it contains four or more sheets of paper.  

For ease of sending your letter of Appreciation email might be your preference; it does save on postage.  This, too, should be composed ahead of time so you can give it your best wording.  

A very nice gesture would be to mat or frame your pretty page of Appreciation and present it in person. Don’t overlook doing this nice writing for your spouse.  

Stores sell lots of cards to choose from for Mothers Day, Father’s Day, and birthdays. And, most of us try to verbally thank people when they help us.  But an “Appreciation Day,” whenever you choose to do it, will be a nice surprise to others who haven’t been “officially” recognized and thanked in writing.  

As you’re working on this project it can brighten your day as you recall those good times from your past.  When you drop it in your mailbox pray for the person who will receive it. Picture the pleasure on the face of Scoutmaster Madson or Pastor Schmitz.

Of course, you are too busy; we all are.  But what else is such a bargain?  What else will be as much fun as an unexpected envelope in a mailbox? 

Your handwritten note or simple little card may be just the thing the Lord can use to bless special people in your life.  And, imagine what a good example you’ll be setting for your children.  Romans 13:7 reminds us to give honor to whom honor is due.  A thankful heart seeks ways to show appreciation.        

                                                      * * * 

By Elaine Hardt  ©2003

My Books Published as of October 2021

Spare Minute Sparklers,   

        1978, by Creative Teaching Press

Four Minute Fun for Parent and Child,  

        1978, by Horizons                             

I.Q. Exercises,  co-authored with Dr. Kevin Leman, 

        1982, by Think Ink Co.

Stories From Beyond the Double Rainbow,  

        1982, by Thinking Caps 

Writing Poetry,  

        1983, by Perceptions. 

Pocket Games, 

        1986, by Tyndale House Publishers 

Power Parenting, 

        1989, self-published book

Words of Encouragement, 

        1990, self-published book

Spare Time Treasures. 

        1993, by Thinking Caps

Occasional Prayers and Words of Blessing,  

        1993, self-published book

Where Do We Go From Here? 

        1999, self published book

More Learning, Growing, Becoming,  

        2000, self-published book 

God & the Gangster,  

        2001, by First Chapter E-book Co. on Internet

Your Discovery, Your Decision,  

        2013, published online on amazon.com 

Now it’s 2021.  I have now written a total of 125 small booklets which we print at home and give away FREE, mailing to siblings and their kids, and friends.  I have 717 pieces published on my blog:  www.EncouragingU.blogspot.com

I encourage everyone to write.  Put your ideas down on paper, then go back soon and add more good ideas.  Maybe it will make a nice small booklet.  Or keep writing and it could be a book.  :  )  

by Elaine Hardt ©2020

Why I Decided to Believe in Jesus

I knew (once or twice !)

that I needed advice,

But that was Then and this is Now;

I’ve been looking for wisdom to know How.

Being the oldest, my siblings numbered seven,

I heard in church how to go to Heaven . . . 

But there was a lot more I should know —

I needed to read for myself, so . . . 

I had a Bible of my own;

I could read it when alone.

Now the Internet has God’s Word,

Easy to find verses, have you heard ?

When you talk to God in prayer,

He hears, He knows, He does care.

When you’re too busy for Him

sunshine in life grows so dim.

Old relatives we knew have died.

What happened ?  I really sighed. 

Is life on earth all there ever can be ?

When this body gives up, what do we see ? 

A life after this one, why ? when ? how ?

Who really, really knows ?  then ?  now ? 

The Bible, a substantial history shows . . . 

Jesus did come, He spoke, He knows.

Skip long lists of genealogy —

Read four men’s writing Jesus’ history.  

Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, then Paul’s writing:  

What they saw and heard was exciting. 

So, for me I made my excellent choice:

I asked Jesus into my heart, so rejoice ! 

God’s Word, the Bible YOU can read and believe !

Wonderful life in Heaven YOU, too, can receive !    

by Elaine Hardt ©2020  

I Forgot to Pray for You : (

In bed it’s time for what I do,

      but of course, I do pray for you.

Now I forgot to say your name !

      So my prayer was not the same.

I didn’t know what you could need,

      (or that this poem you would read.)

But then the Lord reminded me,

      and my brain helped me to see —

Apologies won’t do,

      But God never forgets YOU.

So, then I wrote down a list;

     there your name will not be missed.

Good health, enough money, too . . . 

     Challenges God will bring you through . . . 

Good weather as you jog that mile . . .

     People you’ll see give you a smile.

You will have how many more years ?

    If I go first, you can shed some tears . . . 

Talk to Him each day in prayer --

    Reminds us ALL to show our care.

Life can be very short — or long !

    Thank the Lord with prayer and song ! 

by Elaine Hardt ©2020