One Thing You Lack

Your life resembles a well-crafted book
And you’re willing to take a thoughtful look;
Columns of figures comprise the sum,
Year-end results will show what you’ve done.

What if there’s an area neglected,
Forgotten or much earlier rejected?
Are you open to making needed change?
Can you, your rigid ideas re-arrange?

Not to be fussy or hypercritical,
Not that you failed to be analytical;
You reject failure, aim for success;
See if you will pass God’s test.

Once a man said, “There’s one thing you lack. . . “
Listeners paid attention, taken aback;
A spiritual truth it turned out to be,
Vital consideration for you or me.

You might welcome it— an idea, find,
To pique the interest of your active mind.
Maybe it’s time for you to take
Another look, for Heaven’s sake.

By Elaine Hardt ©2007

Hello, New Year: I'm Ready and I'm Here

I’m ready to meet the New Year,
No matter what bad news I hear;
God sees and He knows,
My faith in Him grows,
I’m ready to meet the New Year.

I’m ready to meet the New Year,
I’ll take my stand without fear;
I’m reading God’s Word,
His promise I’ve heard,
I’m ready to meet the New Year.

I’ll talk to the Lord in prayer,
Finding peacefulness there.
When I’m tempted to confusion,
I’ll cast out thoughts of delusion.

I’ll recite reasons for gratitude,
Improving my smile and my attitude.
I’ll offer forgiveness where You show me,
I receive Your forgiveness gratefully.

I’m determined to grow stronger,
Delay new commitment no longer.
God knows what is best
To honor Him in each test.
I’m ready to meet the New Year.

I’m ready! I’m ready! I’m ready
to meet the New Year.

— Elaine Hardt ©2005

A Look at New Year's Eve with Suggestions for New Year's Day

Will it be another grand occasion,
A New Year’s celebration,
A putting-on an attitude, party-on time?

Will there be parades for viewing,
Football games, and over-doing,
All the sociable expectations that come to mind?

Or will there be time for introspection,
Honest sizing-up intentions,
Looking for a sincerely spiritual point of view?

Could we look past the drinking, eating,
the people that we’re meeting,
not neglecting what’s most important for anyone to do?

We could pause for reflection,
Confess we’ve missed perfection,
Gratefully consider how greatly God has been blessing you.

Learn from situations of the past,
Forgive each other now, at last,
And schedule in time to daily pray and read God’s Word, too.

So, let’s go past the decorations,
The New Year’s speculations,
Despite the troubles looming all around the world we see.

Let’s choose to have a brand-new Year
With confidence, not fear,
Trusting and walking with the Lord obediently.

by Elaine Hardt ©2006

Me, Talking to Myself

Of all the things I could be doing
And there’s plenty I should do,
I need to regroup my self;
It’s time to renew!

Will the earth stop revolving
If I sit a moment here?
Can I listen to a glorious hymn
And enjoy what I hear?

Can I close my eyes to clutter
And release my tension’s pain?
‘Tis bliss to feel some peacefulness,
relax to its refrain.

I’ve been busy, way too busy,
I’m weary to the bone;
I’m thankful for God’s goodness
And quiet time alone.

By Elaine Hardt ©2006

Relief From Winter's Assault

In the midst of artificial holiday cheer
avoid deep drifts of aggravation,
the freeze of frustration,
slippery confusion.

There's relief for weary travelers,
Your Father invites you to come;
The Cross road is the way
And His love is the Son.

More than shelter from winter's assault
Faith conquers life's trials;
Walk in confidence, sing for joy,
Jesus Christ is real.

by Elaine Hardt ©1990

Just Another Christmas

Will it be just another Christmas,
Another sparkly Christmas,
Is it a putting-on, showing–up-the-Joneses kind of day?

Or does it have a deeper meaning,
A time past self-indulgence,
A place apart from your children’s carefree play?

No, it is not a last-year’s Christmas,
It’s time for new beginnings,
Put Jesus back into this annual holiday.

He is our Maker and Redeemer,
The Giver of the Best Gifts;
We need to turn our hearts and our lives to Him.

There’s joy and peace beyond description,
His love surpassing greatly,
So honor God today, and in everything.

And let’s go past the decorations,
The presents, get and giving,
Traditions that we’ve cherished and held on to, for so long.

Now we can have a brand-new Christmas,
A personal celebration
That makes all the difference in the world, and eternity.

By Elaine Hardt ©2001

Enjoy God's Christmas Presence

Have a holly, jolly Christmas,
And appreciate that meal;
There’s excitement in the air
That even the grown-ups feel.
But the lasting joy of Christmas
Is the love that surely shows,
For God’s presence comes through Jesus
And His peace, the believer knows.

Yes, there’s happiness for each receiver,
Who will turn to Him and pray;
Share the good news to all the others
That it’s possible to say:
Have a happy now and forever
And don’t forget it’s free.
When you live your life for Jesus
There is life eternally.

By Elaine Hardt ©2002