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

Two Useful Words for You

“Oh, well.”  These are two useful words you’ve heard and probably do say. Picture some circumstances when they come in handy.   

“Oh, well . . . “ and you mean “Give it some time.”

“Oh, well . . . “ and it’s saying “Relax for now.”

“Oh, well . . . “ telling yourself, “I’ll solve it later.”

“Oh, well . . . “ explaining a situation.

“Oh, well . . . “ when you want to come up with an apology for a misunderstanding. 

And you’ve maybe said those words at some other time?  Maybe you’ve needed those words lately?  Here’s an idea.  Consider this attitude:  

Take a deep breath,

Give it a smile,

“Oh, well” could help

you . . .  for awhile.

Of course, it’s so good

when you remember to pray;

the LORD will bless

and help you today!

+ + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2017

A Compliment -- and -- A Challenge for YOU

The words you speak up to say

can encourage someone today:

A compliment, a correction,

A helpful direction,

A smile that’s reminding

Your recognition they’re finding.

You can choose your words well,

even a question can tell.

You intend to be kind

with friendship in mind.

You do have some learning to do:

Three cheers, and God bless you.  

                                 + + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2017

Keep On Going

"It won’t be easy, just keep on going,

  I’ll give you the power and show the way,"

  This is what God is saying to you today. 

"Don’t rely on yourself or what you can see.

  I’ll teach you when you want to learn,

  I’ll help you when you call out to Me."

"Don’t wait until later, your heart may grow cold;

  Now is the time, let Me embrace you with love.

  Don’t use up your years and wait till you’re old."

"You will be tested, but keep on going,

  I’m already near to each seeking heart.

  Your assignment is to keep on growing."

"When you find out that you need Me

  you’re ready to learn to trust and obey;

  Keep going, I have provided the way."

                                                By Elaine Hardt ©2001

What? A One Minute Prayer . . . Again?

A silly bedtime rhyme came to mind yesterday, “Good night, sleep tight; don’t let the bedbugs bite!”    Along with that childhood prayer,  “Now I lay me down to sleep,” it was a ritual for us little kids.

Lately there’s been a TV commercial about getting a new mattress because an older one might be infected with bedbugs, so no doubt that brought the rhyme to mind yesterday.

And today the big thought of how adults treat prayer as repeating memorized words, reciting them quickly without pause or consideration:  what did I just say to God?  Does the old prayer still mean something?  Am I just being careless, thinking that I did what I was supposed to do?  Do those words make me a believer, a Christian, a good guy?

Memorized prayers recited at home or at church can become useless when our minds are not paying attention.  Why do the leaders say those holy words to quickly?

While we might not be able to bring this problem to the attention of someone in charge, at least we can remedy it at home.  Are you going to pray the “Lord’s Prayer”? Speak slowly, pause between phrases and think about what you’re saying to God.  You are talking to your Maker, and He is listening.  Of course, He sees your attitude.

Now, what is it that you want to say to God?  Here is the “Lord’s Prayer” from the words of the Bible in Matthew 6:9-13  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A9-13 

Here are eleven foreign language translations http://www.lords-prayer-words.com/lord_traditional_king_james.html  that also gives details of the phrases, the context, analysis line-by-line, and prayers for important occasions through the year.   

Ask yourself now, is it a “magic formula” ?  Does it keep us close to the LORD? Then take a few minutes to look up the two websites listed here.  

Afterwards ask yourself, what?  What do I want to tell my Creator?  Would this be a good time to confess my weakness, my shortcomings, my sins?  Would it be helpful to put into my own words something to express my faith, my admiration, my thankfulness?

So, is one minute enough today?

By Elaine Hardt ©2016

'Twas the Day After Thanksgiving

'Twas the day after Thanksgiving and time for a rest,

Certainly each year we say, “This was the best.”

With family nearby and some who drove some miles;

We had time to talk and to exchange our smiles.

The food?  Ah, yes, amazing kinds --  a lot and a lot!

It was yummy, and we asked, “Is this what you brought?”  

We had time to help in the kitchen and time flew along,

Finally, the prayer of thanks and the family song.

Yes, we thank God for His many, many blessings,

Then set the table with turkey, gravy, and dressings.

(Well, there was a lot more food, and some doesn’t rhyme,

But I’ll try to be more specific when I write you next time.) 

Catching up on extended family news, you know,

Then more hugs and kisses when someone had to go.

The time flies by when you have fun with family,

Then reluctant good-byes, some day later YOU we’ll see.

We’ll plan ahead and of course, keep each other in prayer,

This is a family of faith, hope, love, and care!

by Elaine Hardt @ 2015 

"Be present at our table, LORD
be here and everywhere adored.
these mercies bless and grant that we
may strengthened for Thy service be."

My Morning Conversation With God

Good morning, Lord.

Thank You for letting me see the light of another day.  

God, You are awesome and I am amazed at Your greatness.

I praise You for Your mercy and love.

Your Word says I can come boldly into Your presence, so I do.

I come in faith and obedience.  I come with great expectation.

I speak health to my body . . . 

Mother: A Remembrance of Her Encouragement

        Here comes that annual celebration of Mother’s Day.  What a nice reminder on the calendar to pause from our busy days and remember Mom.  She loved us! 

        What an example she set:  cleanliness: washing the clothes, the dishes, the never-ending housework, sweeping the porch, wearing your Sunday dress and then taking it off & putting on your every-day clothes when you got back home. 

        What words she said to teach us:  sit up straight, don’t slouch at the table.  Tell the truth.    Eat what you took on your plate.  No making faces at that new boy at Sunday School.  

        What encouragement she gave us:  smile as much as you can,  let little old ladies ahead of you,  your report card is better this time,  you ran your best in the race and next time you might win.

What It Means to Pray

•  a blessing for you

•  a blessing for the one you pray for

•  a stirring of compassion

•  a conversation with your Heaveny Father

•  an opportunity to bring help

Here Comes Thanksgiving Day

We know there’s a reason for this day in history,

We learned about those Pilgrims and Puritans in school; 

To refresh ourselves with the history here’s a site to see: 

http://www.plimoth.org/learn/MRL/read/thanksgiving-history  

So, let’s plan a family feast and family fun for this season,

Yes, but it’s time to thank God for His blessings!

Sometimes being busy makes us forget this lesson; 

Let’s not forget gratitude is the reason. 

Put honesty to God in your November prayers,

Every day we should remember the LORD,

His Word tells us He loves us, He really cares.

This is definitely a message each of us shares.  

Not just formal words at a fancy dinnertime,

Prayer is a thoughtful habit to cultivate;

So, every day can be a thanks giving time,

Reminding you is the real purpose of this rhyme. 

By Elaine Hardt ©2013

Learning How to Disagree

There is something good about disagreements

When you share your point of view;

It can help broaden our communication,

And I can learn something from you. 

It gives us both something to think more about

As I learn the better to explain;

I’m looking for sources of information:

Which is confusing? What is plain?

There is time to control my emotions then

Because the facts must come to light,

So I’m experiencing an inner struggle

To discover what’s really right.

Here’s where I must logically choose my words

Because I want to know what’s true;

And God gives me this time to grow and stretch my faith

with peace of mind; that’s practical, too.

Learning is always somehow helpful to me

When I remember to pray,

“Father, give me the proper attitude and words,

May what I do please You today.”

By Elaine Hardt ©2013

Hush Your Mouth

        Old habits can cling like lint on your new black sweater. The mouth seems to go on automatic when the mind is in idle. Clichés run in families. Many times our conversation exposes our total lack of faith in God and our undisciplined mouths. Sometimes our prayers are sprinkled with unbelief.
        Do you recognize yourself in any of the following examples? (If you’re not sure, ask a friend.)