You Will Remember THIS December

You’ll remember this December

If you’ve found that holiday peace

That comes from a personal quiet time:

A new satisfaction will increase.

You’ll give yourself the bold honesty:

Ask God about your uncertainties;

Yes, speak directly to the LORD,

Tell Him your perplexities.

You’ll gift yourself with thoughtfulness

When you treasure a time of prayer;

This can meet your greatest need,

And of course, you certainly do care!

Why now?  (Obviously, a busy time)

Because He is the only Creator who

Has declared in the Bible what He has 

Done to give His love to you.

Open that mostly-neglected book:

What Jesus did, what He said, you need to see.

What makes the difference?  It’s love!

The LORD is not an imaginary deity.

It’s forgiveness, tied up with a red ribbon,

Vital for your future after you die;

It’s a new dimension starting today

When you question yourself, “Why?”

This December brings celebration,

You don’t want to miss the important part;

Christmas peace can start right now!

Welcome God’s presence in your heart. 

By Elaine Hardt ©2012 

How Really Important Are YOU?

Did you talk to the President, the Pope, the Prime Minister today?

Or, did you personally speak to the Creator in Heaven when you pray?

Did the Governor, the Mayor, the Head of the FBI invite you to chat?

Did anyone "special" look forward to hearing from you about this or that?

Why did Jesus invite YOU to pray

and tell you how and show you what to say?

To some people you may not rank high on their list as a friend,

but Jesus invites you to a love relationship that will not end!

Not only that, but you can talk to Him any hour of night or day,

And best of all, the Bible says He listens to what you say.

Of course, the key to expressing yourself to the LORD is honesty,

And yes, what's in your life, and in your heart He knows already.

"But if He already knows everything, then what's there for me to say?"

Well, expressing your love and concerns to Him is good to do every day.

Don't neglect this amazing privilege to pray, it helps you to grow!

How do I know?  Read it for yourself. The Bible tells us so!

Before You Complain

Put your glasses on before you complain,

You want to see clearly what’s happening;

No, not those sunglasses. . . the Son Glasses,

You need the wisdom that Jesus will bring.

Maybe you’re too tired to concentrate,

Maybe you’ve got some burden on your heart;

Best you talk to the LORD honestly now,

That’s how a new miracle can start.

Face to Face

I looked in the mirror and what did I see?

An older, slightly wrinkled woman looking back at me.

She had an inquisitive smile and nodded her head;

I was pleased to see her friendliness, so this is what I said,

“Let’s you and me be friends, is that OK with you?”

And I saw that she wanted to talk with me, too.

I listened and listened, but couldn’t hear her voice.

“That’s OK for now, if being quiet is your choice.” 

So she and I smiled again, and I turned away.

I’ll probably see her again another day.  

Face to face, her appearance was like a mystery, 

But I will make friends with her yet, you’ll see. 

By Elaine Hardt ©2014

You Will Remember THIS December

You will remember THIS December

If you’ve found that holiday peace

That comes from a personal quiet time:

A new satisfaction will increase.

You’ll give yourself the bold honesty:

Ask God about your uncertainties;

Yes, speak directly to the LORD,

Tell Him your perplexities.

You’ll gift yourself with thoughtfulness

When you treasure a time of prayer;

This can meet your greatest need,

And of course, you certainly do care!

Why now?  

Full of Emotion, Empty of Words

Empty of words to say,
Empty of words to write,
I look towards Heaven and raise my hands in prayer;
Thankfully my Father knows.

I’ve looked again at the past,
I wonder about the present,
I’m overwhelmed at the thought of the future,
Then and now and soon to come.

So humbled by the realization
How small and insignificant I am,
Of course, I yield to God, Almighty Creator;
Truth and Reality point to Him.

The miracle of Jesus becoming one of us,
The amazing outpouring of His love on the cross,
The awesome power of His resurrection and ascension,
The astonishing gift of Holy Spirit abiding in believers.

At first, so bereft of words
More have since lined up on this page
As I seek to point my unseen reader
To the greatness of God.

By Elaine Hardt ©2008

The Small, Empty Cup

So like this little cup I am,
I wonder why I’m here;
My Father knows, so I’ll ask Him,
For He is very near.

“This cup is empty, this cup is small;
What have you planned for me?
How can I be a blessing
When this is all I see?”

“Start where you are, with what you’ve got,”
I thought I heard His voice
“You’ll overflow with blessings
so trust Me and rejoice.”

by Elaine Hardt ©2005

From Bored to Restored!

What do you say when there’s nothing to say,
Your mind is completely blank?
You stifle that frown, put a little smile on
And you think of Someone to thank.

“Oh, God,” you begin with great honesty,
“I’ve lost my joy, I’ve nothing to do;
But — I could go through the motions, without emotions
And leave the results up to You.”

Thankfulness is a powerful way
To defeat life’s aggravations;
Firmly set aside your own agenda,
Open God’s Word for contemplation.

Read with your heart, not just with your eyes,
Meet your Lord in a reality prayer;
Confess those misbehaving feelings,
Receive your restoration there.

Listen up: this is a test, do your best!
Refuse to sink into confusion’s mire;
You CAN walk that road, you CAN carry that load,
God’s plan is to take you higher!

By Elaine Hardt ©2006