I Want to Write Words for YOU

I want to write something

So wonderfully simple,

Yet interestingly complex:

Entirely sufficient and totally adequate. 

I want my words to paint a picture that

Enthralls the viewer,

gathering up scattered pieces of memory,

bringing them into the now.

I want my words to sing an anthem that

resounds from the mountains,

Yet coaxes a smile from a young child,

And blends familiar harmony with the new.

I want my words to caress the mind,

Yet awaken the slumbering soul;

I want my words to reach out,

Embracing the lonely and weary.

I want my words to knock vigorously,

Beckoning friends and strangers alike

To open their heart’s door and receive

God’s invitation to resurrection life.

May my small gift of words today be

Satisfyingly descriptive,

Yet sparse enough to easily recall;

May my words bless you ! 

By Elaine Hardt ©2004 

Eleven Ways YOU Can Share Your Faith

Here’s a way to share your faith.  It’s not hard to do, and  it can be a wonderful blessing for people in your life.  

AN EASY BEGINNING

1. Look for people you could encourage with a written note.  This could be anyone the Lord brings to mind.  
2. Write a personalized “blessing” for someone, sending it as a birthday, anniversary, or congratulations card.  

Write like you’re talking to this person.  Avoid cliché; make this like a warm, caring conversation.  Handwritten is very nice, but you might feel like writing more if you can do it on the computer. It’s following through with the idea that counts.  

A LITTLE BIGGER CHALLENGE

Jot down a basic outline on one of these topics: 

1. Tell how you came to faith in Jesus. 
2. Tell about a recent little lesson in faith that God has taught you. 
3. Tell the story of a big challenge or problem you’ve conquered in your life.

Write to share this with your children, and perhaps other close relatives. After you’ve done the first draft, let the writing “sit” for several days.  Then go back and see what improvements you can make.  Write like you’re talking to someone, but also include pertinent facts and descriptions that help your reader to visualize the situation.  

    Ask yourself: is it bragging or complaining?  Or, does it let God’s love and joy shine through? 

THE GIFT ONLY YOU CAN GIVE  (Yes, there's a little more to read...)

Making it Easier For You

Do you like to be encouraged by someone, or challenged to give something some thought, or introduced to some new idea?   

Do you prefer short articles of facts, or stories of real people, or short poetry that is easily understood?  

You can find items posted in this blog in all of these categories.  For eleven years there’s been a variety of items posted, for a total of 580 writings.  

And the handy feature here is the list on the right side, an alphabetical list of key topics that you’ll find.  Want to consider the idea of “worry” or “purpose” or “encourage”? Look at all those topics waiting for your exploration.  

Making it easier for you to zero in on some topics for a quick read is the goal of this blog. Whether it’s just spending a few minutes or popping into the blog at least once a week there are ideas I share. 

by Elaine Hardt ©2017

Got Something that Someone Wrote & Sent to YOU?

        Looking back on recent days and years of your life, has someone sent you something they wrote to YOU that was interesting or helpful or valuable in some ways?
        Maybe what they wrote was even humorous, as it reminded you of something that happened “way back then.”  Maybe it triggered some other memories they didn’t even know about, but now brings a smile to your face.
        Where are you going to keep this small treasure?  Maybe a notebook or file folder?
        And let this unexpected gift from someone set an excellent example to YOU.  This is something you can do for someone else.  And your own recollection can be a useful part of this lesson of life.  And . . .

Where Will You Put That Writing?

       Personally, I don’t “save” any writing that I do on the computer to the “cloud.”  It’s written, rewritten, revised, improved as a few more days go by.  Ordinary stuff gets saved on my own computer and its Time Machine backup. Then it gets printed out and saved on paper in a file that I can find. 
         A writing for someone looks nice on some “pretty paper,”  maybe just colored paper or maybe fancy stationery.  It gets mailed to that person so they have something to hold in their hands and read as often as they want to.  They can file it where they want to.  It’s become a “permanent” gift.
        And . . .

Your Busy Brain at Work

Your brain makes labels

for the challenges you had;

Was it an invitation to learn?

Did it turn out good or bad?

Did you appreciate this

learning opportunity?

Can you smile, at least inside,

these lessons that you see?

Was there something you remember?

Or was it something new?

Did you face it calmly,

happy to make it through?

Did you congratulate

someone for doing good?

Did you you write to them,

or say it as you should?

Size up life’s situations,

Pray for wisdom now;

Here come more challenges

What to do?  You’ll know what and how.

by Elaine Hardt ©2017

Encouraging YOU, with Something to DO

Who are you encouraging today?  

Might it be important to them?

Is it worthwhile for you to do?

Take a minute to think this through. . . 

Would you just speak some words

that can encourage him or her?

Could you write some good words

so they can read them over again? 

And, here’s the biggie one for you:

is this something that someone could do

and send encouragement to you?

Just consider what those words would do. 

      Should?

            Could?

                 Would!!! 

Yes, of course, I WILL do! 

by Elaine Hardt ©2016

You Are a Special Person

        Our new 16 page booklet is completed.  "You Are a Special Person" is #87 in our list of booklets, compiling some articles, stories, and poems to encourage, challenge, and bless each reader.  Look down the list on right hand side on this home page and find "Booklets Published" info.