Sink or Swim ?

     Life is complicated —                                                                                                
      more so when you’re grown                                                                                     
         & out on your own.  

So many choices, so many decisions.  

And you’ll hear some suggestions— 

some friendly & light-hearted 

but some sent with a scowl 

or semi-friendly frown. 

You DON'T know

how deep is this water

or what else is down below

maybe swimming around.

How much curiosity can you spare right now ?

At least the sky looks pretty normal.

You want to just float around for awhile ?

Can you just relax ?

OR is this a good time to pray ?

The Creator knows about you—loves you.

Pay attention to your brain’s suggestion:

pray, say how you feel & what you need.

You DO know 

all these stars and planets didn’t just automatically appear up in the sky.

Like all the animals and humans on the earth,

we didn’t just gradually evolve from one speck of something. 

Appreciate this amazing world 

and accept the fact of life, followed by death.

                Look into the Bible and see.     

Eternal life in Heaven for those accepting Jesus as Savior.    + + +

by Elaine Hardt ©2021

Your Future Is Coming

                      Unexpected stuff happens ---- 

              How do you respond is your choice --- 

             Anger ? Fear ? Ignore the issue ?

Ask for advice ?  Pray for wisdom ?

NOW is when you decide and do,

Later, you can perhaps make some changes.

Your reaction demonstrates maturity —

What grade did you earn today ?

World news brings aggravation !

Will tomorrow’s news be good or bad ?

Will your kids and grandkids be upset ?

What words in the Bible will help you and them ?

The Creator offers us a choice —

Heaven will be BEST for our Forever !

NOW is the time to settle that issue.

Your future is your decision  : ) 

      + + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2021

Another Day ! Another Opportunity !

One day older . . . !

I’ve already had some yesterdays

some choices

some experience

some success . . .!

I know that today will bring

some unexpected memories

some unexpected happenings

some unexpected discoveries . . .!

But I can make some decisions

yes, I can still smile

yes, I can still think 

yes, I can still improve . . .!

I’m going to be thankful for opportunities !

do better than last week

do better than yesterday

do something nice for somebody, somewhere !

                         + + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2021

ABC = Songs to Bless & Encourage YOU

    Amazing Grace

    Because He Lives

    Christ the LORD is Risen Today

    Do Lord, Oh, Do Lord

    Every Day With Jesus

    For God So Loved the World

    God is so Good

    Holy, Holy, Holy

    I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

    Jesus is All the World To Me

    King of Kings and LORD of Lords

    LORD of the Mountain

    Make Me a Blessing

    No, Not One

    Open My Eyes That I Might See

    Precious LORD, Take My Hand

    Quietly Now, I Wait for Thee

    Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It

    Silent Night

    Tell Me The Story of Jesus

    Under His Wings I Am Safely Abiding

    Victory in Jesus

    What a Friend We Have in Jesus

    X  = Exalted

    Yesterday, Today, Forever

    Zachaeus Was a Wee Little Man

                     + + + 

What can you add to this list ?

My Every Day Prayer List

Take a look.  I'd like to encourage you to have a little quiet time 
early in the day so you can pray for important people in your life.  Here's my list:  

Any relative that comes to mind   Mayor

Armed Forces           Movie star

Barber       Neighbors

Computer repair man Newspaper delivery man

Dentist      Nurses

Doctors     Parents

Favorite TV news crew   Pastor

Favorite TV stars     Police

Firemen     President of the US

Garbage man School bus drivers 

Governor of this state                   Siblings                                        

Highway Patrol     Soldiers

Husband             Teachers

Journalist TV News reporters

Landlord   Wife

Mail carrier           Yard man

I find that having a list helps me concentrate.  I ask God to bless

these with His protection, His directions, and good health and 

energy for the days challenges that come.         ####

 

Thinking About Today & Tomorrow

 The best that I can do today 
     doesn't rate as PERFECTION.
It missed my goal of yesterday's
     positive expectation. 

I've been GOOD, but want to be BEST !

     Unexpected stuff comes my way 
Every day seems to bring a test,
     complicating every day !

Life really has its ups and downs,
     Some days I am doing GOOD;
I just need to pray and eliminate the frowns,
     just like my Mama said I should.

Challenges come -- yes, I do see,
     It gives my brain a job to do,
Every day has more lessons for me;
     I thank God for bringing me through !

     Also, I'd like to encourage you.

                              + + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2021

Those Troubles Are a Test

Troubles here and troubles there ?

There are troubles everywhere.

Give some thought; of course, you pray !

Think of what to do and say.

Need to complain ? The LORD knows.

Your attitude with this . . . it shows.

Some have made bad choices,

with actions and/or their voices.

Always something unexpected;

Bright ideas may be rejected.

Look for good opportunities;

It’s the LORD you want to please. 

Others will be watching you —

hear what you say, see what you do.

Open your Bible and read more !

Smile to tackle some new chore. 

Obey the LORD, trust and believe !

His blessings you will receive !

Good happens in His time                                                                               (even if it doesn’t rhyme.) 

     + + + 

by Elaine Hardt @ 2021

" Aaaaaaakkk !" or " Oh, Goody-Goody !"

When that problem pops up, that irritation emerges,

you put on a big frown. Aaaaaaakkk !  

Here’s an idea to try, here’s the words to say, 

“Hello, Opportunity.”

Yes, at this point you are in charge of your feelings.

Do you let frustration or anger take charge ?

Or, do you tell yourself, 

“OK, kiddo, let’s see what good idea you find.”

Learning something is not always fun to do.

It may interfere with something 

you’re already involved with,

maybe you’re even having fun doing that.

But success means you’ve done something 

good and right and acceptable.

Maybe it was actually simple, 

or might have taken some determination and time.

Thinking, considering what's happening now,

even praying, "Oh, I need wisdom and help ! " 

That's a challenge that's good for you.

Every person in life has these Opportunities.

                         + + +

by Elaine Hardt ©2021 

 

I Realize I AM Getting Older . . . .

                         One day older !  Oh, you are right !

Even last week has gone out of sight.

But it was OK to anticipate,

and remembering was fun — that was great !

Somehow I got older, gradually . . . 

years flew by, forgetting started — in me !

Wish I had more photos, well organized;

At least school yearbooks are a prize.

Remembering info is such a chore

So, write it down, your achievements and more.

Exercise your brain by learning new stuff.

Handle those challenges; is that enough ! 

So friend, this is my suggestion for you:

Keep your body in good shape, your mind, too.

God gave you a life — how long will it last ?

Ask Him for help and blessings; life goes fast.

Great promises in the Bible you find.

Read them, keep those words in your mind.

Eternal life — imagine the bliss !

Jesus loves you, so don’t miss out on this !!!

+ + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2021

Sad ? Mad ! GLAD ; )

An idea came to your mind as you sat relaxing, quietly.

Your first response was to feel sad.  “I’m not doing the best right now.

Wonder why that popped into my head right now.  What can I see?”

A few quiet moments, alone, led to an idea.  “Oh, yes, I remember."  You take a look at the past that brought that occasion to mind.                                                                                                                                    

Another time an idea came to your mind as you sat relaxing, quietly.

“Oh, my!.” It was a stupid, crazy thing they did, and what they said.

Why did they get away with an unnecessary action right there, by me ?

A few quiet moments:  did you do something wrong?   What ?  Why ? 

You take a look at the past that brought that occasion to mind. 

Another time an idea came to your mind as you sat relaxing, quietly.

Your mouth flew open with some words and a big smile.

“Wow.  I’m glad I remembered that — who did, who said, & my reply.”

Yes, sometimes there’s really a time to be glad, certainly.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for bring me back to that good time.

And now, to you, the dear reader of this writing . . . 

Do ponder the cause and effect of those three normal reactions.

SAD means there’s a situation to recall, people to pray for.

MAD means now you can learn from your words and situations.

GLAD means you can treasure the good that the LORD shows you.

Life is full of experiences.  It’s time to think, consider, learn.

Decide to do better when you talk, listen, react. Think it over. 

Now is your opportunity to make better choices.  You CAN do it, too.  

Speak up with words that are positive, caring, yet powerful. 

You’ve dedicated yourself to the LORD; remember He’s with you. 

                                                    +++

by Elaine Hardt ©2021 

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