My Birthday Greeting to God

DEAR GOD,  I want to thank You that I was born to my mama.  I didn’t know anything at the time, except that I had been disturbed.  I didn’t know Your whole world was waiting for me.

It’s been little by little for me to see and experience and find out about this town where mama and daddy had been living for more than 20 years before they married.  They told me a little about You for my curiosity. 

Now, I want to thank You for letting me live on Your earth for this long.  There has been a lot for me to learn, and even before I appreciated You being our Creator, You have been taking care of me.

I found out that some things I did were not good for me, not nice to do to my siblings. You are the most patient One I have ever heard about.  Later, I found out that I should apologize to You, so I did.  And, how nice that You forgive me for being careless, clumsy, and crabby.  

Soon I heard others talk about You, and I read about You in the Bible.  Jesus coming to our little Earth from Heaven was wonderful.  I would have cried to see Him die, but I would have been jumping up and down to see Him get out of the grave and then go up in the sky to Heaven again.  Every day I read in the Bible some of what He said and what He did. 

You are completely amazing, totally magnificent, greatly to be admired and respected and obeyed.  Wow!  You created all those stars and everything;  You are powerful. 

I see everyday that I should talk to You, own up to my misbehavior and get back on friendly terms with You.  I heard that when I asked You would show me what to do and say, so I would be able to be good.  

Some old people died when I was growing up, and it didn’t make any sense to me, except that they got too old and that was the end of them here.  Later I realized how sad people got when other people died.  I heard that even young people died when their bodies got too sick or too hurt. 

When older people told me about where You live and how You invited people to come there when they die I thought that was the best news ever!  I talked to You then and told You I wanted to be with You forever and ever.  

Little did I know that I would live for this long and have these many days for thinking and learning and doing stuff.  I still love You and admire You!  I still want to come to live with You forever and ever.  I still say I am sorry when I think or do or say something that is not nice. 

It’s been a terrible thing to hear about people who are very, very bad, choosing to do the opposite of helpful and kind ways.  It is shocking to realize that they defy You and hate You.  They will one day stand before Your Throne and get punishment.  When I heard names of some of them I prayed they would change, but they did not choose to listen to You. 

In closing, I wanted to tell You that I am relieved that when I talk to You it is not interrupting something important that You are doing.  It is awesome that You care about every person in the world, and I am amazed that You can hear everyone praying at once.  I am so glad I don’t have to worry about dying because You will take care of me now and then and forever.  I love You, God, and I am so happy to call you my Heavenly Father.   

 Signed  _____________________

Remembering ? Changing?

The past didn’t last !  

It’s Now — and, how ? 

Days sped by; that’s no lie.

Remember ?  Yes, I try. 

Spring, summer, fall,

and winter came to all.

Weather got colder; everyone got older.

Some days of rain; someone will complain.

Coming, going, sometimes knowing.

Remember:  keep on growing.

Need for learning keeps returning.

Got a brain in my head, that’s what Mama said.

Don’t forget to pray, I did hear Dad say.

God in Heaven sees everything, that’s true.

He loves us, too —  that’s me and you.

Faith means we believe — forgiveness receive !  

Sing “Jesus loves me this I know,

for the Bible tells me so.”

Now, is it time for changing ?

Want to do rearranging ?

Forgetting can bring stress;  

I gotta do my best.

Stuff happens all the time,

That kind of mountain I CAN climb.

+ + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2019

You're Been Growing Older? NINE Reasons to Celebrate !

• Growing older means you’ve learned a lot, so keep on doing good. You can!
• Growing older means you’ve had time to view other people, other situations.   Did you carefully judge what was right and what was wrong? Did you learn from what you observed? That’s learning. 
• Growing older means you’ve succeeded in a variety of things you attempted. You’re better off now because of some smart choices and some hard work. Does anyone else deserve some of that credit? That’s learning.
• Growing older means you’ve made a few mistakes by now.  Analyze a few.  Now consider one. What started it? What happened?  How did you end it?  Did you apologize for your mistake?  That’s learning. 
• Growing older means you’ve committed a few sins by now.  Did you remember that the Bible says Jesus died for your sins so you could be forgiven? Did you confess your sins to God?  Did you find the relief that He gives when we own up to it? That’s learning.
• Growing older means you’ve had a lot of opportunities to learn what other people taught. Read any good books lately?  Read any news analysts lately?  Critiqued some speaker with your amassed information? Accumulated more knowledge? That’s learning.
• Growing older means you’ve had lots of experience in talking with others. You notice others who need to hear what you can say? You can gain attention by your reputation, by your approach? You can share information in an appropriate way? That’s learning. 
• Growing older means young people need to know you’re interested in them.  Old people need to know that you still care about them, too.  How do you communicate with them? 
• Growing older means you’re still alive. What about life after death?  Have you read what Jesus said about everlasting life? (see John 3:16)  www.biblegateway.com  You could read more about it in the Bible.  Growing older means get going now so you can keep on going even after you die!                        + + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2017