WHAT DOES IT TAKE ?

What does it take to make you happy ?

   What does it take to make you blue ?

Is there anything special today

   that you should plan to do ? 

Right now — right now — count your blessings !

   Your Heavenly Father loves you.

Your life reflects your response to Him;

   Ask Him what is best now to do.

Somebody may observe you,

   seeing what you are doing today;

Would your example be helpful,

   like what you do ?  or what you say ?

Someone might come to mind today, 

   someone from a long time ago.

Maybe it’s your opportunity ?

   Pray, even if details you don’t know.

Weather predicted to turn bad,

   Oh, such boring news to hear;

What can our politicians do?

   Well, pray for them:  isn’t that clear ? 

And ask the LORD for good health, 

   energy, and His protection;

Keep on going with a smile !

   Read the Bible for His directions. 

                 + + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2018

Things HAVE Changed

Today’s newspaper listed the Latest & Greatest Computer Club meeting for 4 pm on Saturday.  Oh, well.  I can find other things I need to do, instead of sitting through the young members gushing over the new updates.  I remember when the club was the Happy Day Computers.

You’ve noticed, too, that nothing stays the same.  Well, it was handy when the old telephone on the wall got upgraded.  Now it’s just a little thing that’s portable.  Too bad someone invented a way for strangers to call you with a recorded sales pitch.  How did they get my phone number?

Even going to church has changed.  Grandma Grace played the piano so nice.  Now the youngsters want the loud music of guitars and cymbals and drums.  If only they knew how your ears responded after a few years of that.  Can’t go to the worship service now because it gave me ringing 24x7 in my ears.  

So, the choice is mine.  Acknowledge that I’ve been growing older and avoid all this new stuff that is banging on the TV and the computer — avoid those kids who want to show off — or remember to pray for them.  Are they listening to the sermon or glancing at their smartphone all the time?  Have they really made the commitment to the Lord?  Do they read the Bible?  Do they care about us who used to volunteer? We used go to a prayer meeting before services.

Times are changing.  Shall I be bitter or get better?  

I have decided to pray more, also write to my grandkids, my brother's and sisters’ grandchildren and mail that piece of paper to them the old-timey way, with an envelope and a stamp.      * * * 

by Elaine Hardt ©2019 

Today is YOUR Day

  Your Faith
    Your Troubles
      Your Endurance
        Your Opportunity
          Your Joy

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way,

consider it an opportunity

for great joy.

For you know

when your faith is tested

your endurance has a chance to grow.

So, let it grow,

for when your endurance is fully developed,

you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."

James 1:2-3  NLT

He Let Me Write His Love

       It's been over twenty years now, but I remember that girl from the coffee shop.  She sat alone in the corner with a cup of coffee and a donut.
       I'd met three friends from the Exercise Club for our Wednesday coffee time and we sat near the counter, telling jokes and having fun.
       Glancing around the room her eyes met mine and she then turned her head away.  Well,  time to go and at least say, "Hi. I'm Elaine.  We gals from the Exercise Club do coffee here on Wednesday.  You new to town?"
       Her shy smile started us off with a little conversation before I went back to the giggling girls.  That's how our friendship began.
        About three months later she moved to Flagstaff, deciding to enroll in the college there.  What a difference that last day was.  She was now one of the Exercise Girls; smiling and happy.  
       Later, I was inspired to write this:  

                    He Let Me Write His Love

                  I told the Lord I’d write a book,

                      and my fame would bring Him glory;

                         write poetry to honor His name,

                            or perhaps I’d write a story.

                  He gave me someone who needed love

                    when I offered Him my time;

                      I saw Him work a miracle,

                         and now she is a friend of mine. 

                  I could not have foreseen the joy

                     while investing many days;

                        but happiness is a soul redeemed

                          and Jesus gets all the praise.

                   Once ambition called to me,

                      now devotion is sincere;

                        To think He let me write His love

                            on the heart of someone dear.
+ + +
poem by Elaine Hardt ©1998

YOUR WONDERFUL POSSIBILITIES !

That Aggravation

  turns out to be a Test —

    which becomes a Challenge,

      that is an Opportunity.  

So, avoid that Anger,

  Examine that Situation —

    Start thinking of Possibilities,

      Acknowledge your Choice.

Question the Timing,

  Realize the Potential for good —

    Pray for God’s wisdom,

      Set a good Example for somebody. 

Make use of your wonderful Possibilities !

                S M I L E !

by Elaine Hardt  1-9-19 

YOU Can Encourage Someone

      Hopefully, you have found encouragement in the variety of writings I've posted on this blog.   You might know someone who needs some encouragement.  From your family to your friends, from neighbors to the people who work at your same business . . . stuff happens.  
     I've written a lot of various stories, and articles, and poems -- and put them into small booklets.  They are FREE.  We don't sell ANYTHING.  
     Look at the list of categories at the right hand side of this page and find the heading Booklets Published.  Click, then scroll down to the Booklets list.  Send me an email and I'll mail you the one you want to read first.  + + +

My $20 Bill Speaks Up

Finally, I’m getting out of this stuffy pocket in this blue plaid jacket.  I’ve lost track of the time.  How long have I been there?  And, why did I get rescued today?  Oh,  I can hear really good now! 

As I’m getting unfolded, a voice exclaims, “Wow!  I’d forgotten all about you,” so that explains my long absence from the world of shoppers’ delight.  Again I hear that voice, “so now that it’s cold outside my warm little jacket has a surprise for me.  A $20 bill might just make my day!”

When she flips me over I get a glimpse of a woman’s face.  She looks friendly enough, and sounds cheerful.  Well, an adventure is finally coming my way.  What will she do with me?  

Ooops, I’m getting folded in half and pushed into a pocket in her purse.  Now it’s nearly impossible to hear what’s going on out there.  

Not sure how much time has passed.  Of course, that’s the story of my life, but I try not to complain.  I do know that I am appreciated more than the wrinkly $5 and $1 bills that I’ve been around. 

“Coffee?  Yes,  I’ll have the Tuesday Special. Well, Annie, exercise class was fun today.”  She is pulling me out her purse and setting me on the counter next to that other lady; it must be Annie. 

Just then she leans over and the two women whisper.  “Oh, I have a great idea. Annie, pick out one of those pretty greeting cards on the rack, and we’ll have a surprise for Sheila.”  

There I am in the dim light of the coffee house, stretched out on the counter next to a steaming cup of something that smells good; they called it coffee. Friend Annie returns with some flowery card and starts to write something on it.  

“What would be a nice verse to share with Sheila?”

“How about the one I read this morning for my quiet time?  It’s Proverbs 3:5 and 6 and says, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend upon your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.’”

“Perfect.”  After both women have written on the card my owner picks me up and folds me in half again. “Let’s give Sheila this little surprise.”

“Twenty dollars!”

“Yes, it will be her going away present, just a token of our appreciation.  She always has such a sweet smile as she waits on all the customers here.”

I smiled, too.  Being folded up and stuffed into an envelope isn’t the greatest, but the best is yet to come. I can’t wait to be Sheila’s surprise!                  

           + + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2019