Sleepless? Sing a Silent Song

You haven’t drifted off to sweet slumberland just yet?  Sing a silent song.  As you’re lying there in bed find a line of a song that starts with the next letter in the alphabet.  See how far in the ABCs you can get. Here’s the idea:
            A,  abide with me, fast falls the eventide
            B, because He lives I shall live forever
            C, create in me a clean heart and . . .
            D, do Lord, oh, do Lord, oh do remember me
Well, some of those are old songs and choruses from my early days.  Maybe they don’t fit in your memory lane.  So, substitute a line, not even necessarily the first line of the song or chorus that comes to your mind.  See how far in the alphabet you can go.  
Maybe one of your songs will strike a happy chord in your memory and you can recall singing that in Sunday School or church or that youth group from back then. Whatever.  
Give your busy brain a simple task and see how it relaxes you!
Next time you don’t have to try to recall those same first lines; you’ll probably think of some others.  That just proves how helpful your brain can be.  
     And hopefully, some of the lines you’ve remembered will bring back some of the rest of those song lyrics, too. Sleep in blissful sleep.  
                And . . . 

I Can and I Will

This challenge is hard, but I’m going to do it;

This trouble is tough, but I’m going through it.

Trouble can’t last forever — not much longer;

I will not be discouraged, I’ll get stronger.

Though the light gets dim, and I don’t know what to do;

Jesus holds me close, and He will see me through. 

My mind settles down, my lips form a prayer;

I don’t know how exactly, but God gets me there. 

I Want to be Happy

Happiness may be a choice,

Happiness may be a chore;

Sometimes it seems Happiness says, 

“You won’t see me anymore.”

Oh, Happiness please come back;

Oh, please come back to stay!

I was careless, it was my fault;

I really need you today.

So, thinking it over,

Considering its place,

Happiness is more than a

Little fake smile on my face.

Happiness comes from a peaceful

Trust in the LORD in my heart;

A prayer of welcoming Him

Gives Happiness its start.

Happiness knows: God sees and knows,

Taking me from trouble and strife;

Love and Joy come in with Faith.

Celebrating a new life. 

                                                              By Elaine Hardt ©2015

A Christmas Prayer

Turning aside from an overdose of Christmas, trading that frustration for meditation, and coming to a quiet place of prayer. . . 

Heavenly Father,

You are the Designer and Maker of All there is,

How awesome that You also made the way

for me to approach You in prayer. 

I come in humility and honesty.

Today I’m occupied with Christmas

traditions and expressions of family,

mingled with the excessive, the noisy,

the beautiful and the tacky,

the demands and opportunity.

All the trinkets and toys and earthly treasure

snare my mind with thoughts of pleasure;

show me the way through the unnecessary,

the way to what is true,  and what pleases You. 

If You Knew HOW MUCH God Loves You

If you knew how much God loves you,

today would be much different 

than you expected.

If you knew how much God loves you,

His blessings you would 

not have rejected.

If you considered how much God loves you,

your weariness and uncertainties 

would be affected. 

One Stranger to Another

   Clad in a thin, red-flannel shirt and well-worn jeans the stranger looked like he’d fit right in with the regulars at Mom’s Café.  Marcie, scanning his tanned face and tired blue eyes asked, “Can I seat you at the counter or would you like that booth back in the corner?”

   The man gestured towards the back and was soon sitting alone with a steaming cup of coffee.  Apparently he didn’t want to fit right in.  

   During the next hour Marcie checked on him several times, but he was a man of few words.  He nursed another cup of coffee thoughtfully.

   Against the radio’s background music and the muted conversation of customers in front the man looked up as Marcie came over again, carrying a tray.

   “The cook sends over a complimentary cup of the soup he’s making for lunch.  See if he’s got the seasoning right or not.” She added with a smile, “Back in a little bit.” 

   Soon the place had nearly cleared out, breakfast concluded and the work day begun in the small farming town. Seemingly, everyone had something to do, except for the man in the back booth. 

   Marcie glided across the floor with the ever-present coffee carafe. “How was the soup?”  She filled the empty cup.  “We’re a friendly town…”

    “Good.  Thanks.  As a matter of fact, I’m just traveling through and ….”

   “Do you have a minute?” here Marcie allowed the briefest pause before plunging ahead, “You remind me of a very nice man, and I hope you don’t mind if I chat before things get busy in here again.”

   “Why, thank you, young lady.  As a matter of fact, maybe some talk of the crops or weather will take my mind off what’s been stewing on the back burner.”

Considering Benefits of Greater Things in Your Life

Greater things are a possibility for me!

Greater learning improving personal ability;

Greater satisfaction is something I can achieve,

Greater usefulness is possible, because I now believe.

Greater significant victories!

Greater inner strength and freedom to see;

Greater insight into important things,

Greater happiness that inner freedom brings.

Greater stamina so I don’t so easily tire!

Greater connections with people up higher;

Greater ideas are welcome in my mind,

Greater inspiration I am able to find.

Greater vision and expectation as I sow a seed!

Greater outreach to be a help to others in need;

Greater encouragement I am able to give,

Greater spiritual understanding in how to live.

Greater peace of mind means finding real rest!

Greater determination to succeed in life’s test; 

Greater power comes by exercising faith anew,

Greater things you and I can consider, attempt, and do.

Greater growing in faith and hope and love!

Greater thoughts about dying and going Above; 

Greater accomplishments, greater acknowledgements, too,

Greater expectations that brings hope to me and you. 

Jesus said,  “I assure you: The one who believes in Me

 will also do the works that I do. 

And he will do even greater works than these, 

because I am going to the Father.”  

John 14:12, Holman Christian Standard Bible

by Elaine Hardt ©2013 

Tip-toe Back to Your Childhood Christmas

YES, another Christmas is on the way.  Decorations in the stores have been reminding us since October,  the calendar on the wall makes it plain.  

        You’ve been making lists:  buy this, do that, make some calls, write the Christmas letters.  It’s a little more pressure on an already-busy person like yourself.

        But, take a few moments just now, and tip-toe back to your childhood Christmas.  What do you recall of that Christmas as a little kid?  What was it like when you were in grade school and had that first party?  How did you celebrate in the following years?  Anything you would have changed?

The One Best Word

         Could the “one best word” be the happiest word? The one word that cheers up each person who has a good reason to use it?  Is it the one word you’ve said recently that improved your whole day, maybe your entire outlook on life?

Of course, you make the pronouncement yourself. Perhaps you have thought of other people saying this one word in some situation, but here, just briefly, we are speaking of you.  Read on with yourself in mind.

        That one simple word that is so powerful, so broad, yet it can be applied so specifically, is “temporary.”  Is that what you anticipated?

Anyhow, let’s take a look at its use, its possibilities, its good points. When a tiny zit pops up on a teenager’s face. When company arrives for just the weekend.  When you stubbed your toe in the dark on the way to the bathroom.  When there’s a shipper’s delay in getting that nifty new tool delivered via UPS.  

Even, when the elevator at work is stuck between floors! When there’s a traffic jam on Interstate 19! When your little kid fell off the swings and broke his arm!

As you picture these situations you will probably agree that when that #1 happiest, best word, “temporary,” comes to mind it does help alleviate the stress, frustration, and unhappiness.  

  Instead of totally dwelling on the bad event you can have a measure of relief. Whatever that uncalled for, or stupid, or aggravating event was there’s an expected end to it. Things could go back to normal.  Things might even be improved as a result of thinking about cause and effect and possible prevention and solution.  

When huge unwelcome circumstances invade your household, your job, your commute or your vacation this one happy word, “temporary,” can spur you on to doing some serious thinking, planning, and rearranging. It can encourage you to action. 

By now you have thought of some recent events in your own life that warrant the audible verbalization by you of this word, “temporary.“ You could be writing some short article yourself!

But, before we close this mental exercise there’s one very certain situation where the word “temporary” does not apply. 

I WILL Be Happy Today

        Two cheerful sayings came to mind as the storm clouds cleared late in the afternoon. “I will be happy today, no matter what comes my way.” and  “Something good will happen to me, I can be what I want to be.”   

Yes!  Those were two “wise sayings” that I’d written back in 1982.  Amazon.com sells used copies of my book of children’s stories,  Stories From Beyond the Double Rainbow.  Each of the 20 stories has a “wise saying” to learn. 

Besides encouraging children we need to encourage ourselves. Outward circumstances will always have a calamity here and there around the world.  We can’t fix the problems or the politics, the weather or the woeful  or wicked choices that people make.

When we pray we can receive an inner peace of mind.  We can make good decisions by faith in the LORD.  Romans 15:13 declares “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

        Happiness is a choice of our hearts.  Try it today.

by Elaine Hardt ©2013 

Freeway Frenzy

        Driving somewhere on vacation?  Watch out for freeway frenzy — theirs and yours!  Take a few minutes to read about a vacation several years ago . . . 

We might have prayed for you this summer.

If you were the red-headed lady in the gray mini-van with three kids in the back, driving the long stretch of highway heading north out of Salt Lake City, we prayed for you.

If you were the truck driver in a shiny blue Peterbilt with an Iowa license pulling a big black tarp-covered load up the mountains of Montana, we prayed for you.

In fact, we prayed for hundreds of drivers.  Young, elderly, in-between. People in cars, pickups, motorcycles, tractor-trailer rigs, even one long white limo.  Maybe you were one of them. 

All along the interstate people seemed to be in a hurry and in a bad mood, too.  When we left enough room between our vehicle and the one ahead some joker was quick to pull in the space.  Everyone was following too closely.  The whole scene was freeway frenzy.  

Ordinarily I would have been a basket case.  But this trip was different.

Consider Benefits: Greater Things in Your Life

Greater things are a possibility for me!

Greater learning improving personal ability;

Greater satisfaction is something I can achieve,

Greater usefulness is possible, because I now believe.

Greater significant victories!

Greater inner strength and freedom to see;

Greater insight into important things,

Greater happiness that inner freedom brings.

Greater stamina so I don’t so easily tire!

Greater connections with people up higher;

Greater ideas are welcome in my mind,

Greater inspiration I am able to find.

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?  

Standing at the Sink, Doing Dishes

         The dishwasher machine isn’t clear full, but there are some delicate cups and saucers that need a gentle touch.  A  big skillet and glass lid will be next in the sudsy water . . . 

Standing here at the sink, doing dishes tonight brings an unexpected memory to mind.  I visualize my mother standing at the sink, doing dishes at Bethel Church. This was over 30 years ago. 

The church’s kitchen is large, well organized, and the serving window opens to the main room, now being set up with tables and chairs for the women’s luncheon at noon. Six ladies were carrying in table decorations, spreading pastel tablecloths, and arranging low bouquets on mirrored squares in the center of each table.

There were nearly 100 dusty cups and saucers taken down from high shelves, and it was quicker to do them by hand, mother said.

When Denise came over and asked if she would like to arrange the flowers and put around the place tags, mother said no. She’d just do the dishes. Instead of taking a more visible spot she’d do the quiet, behind-the-scenes necessities; that was my mother. 

Then I recalled a TV preacher I’d heard earlier this evening.  He urged  the listeners to make a home altar for worship, a daily time of unhurried prayer and praise. He suggested denoting a special chair in the bedroom or front room.  

Here, I put two and two together.  For mother the quiet place was standing at the sink, doing dishes in the kitchen. Us older kids would be at the dining room table doing homework; younger siblings would be playing in their bedroom.  

Good idea, I thought.  When I am here at the sink, doing dishes this will be a place for prayer. Now it’s just me and my husband at home, and he’s catching up on some news on the computer in his office.  I spoke aloud, “Dear Father,  this can be my quiet place!”

God's Gas Station

I was tooling along in my ’54 Ford this morning when I noticed a flashing light on the dashboard. Oooops! Looks like she’s running low on gas. Taking a quick detour from Procrastination Boulevard I headed out to God’s Gas Station.

After filling up at the first pump I dashed into God’s 24 Hour Convenience Store to settle up for the fuel. Impulsively, I decided to pick up a few other necessities.

A Peek at God's Daily Plan Book

It was early, and the office was quiet. I settled into my chair, and opened my daily appointment and plan book. Nearly every line had a notation, some more urgent than others. Call today! Reschedule Appointment! Write plans! Submit plans!

Yes, there was a 30 minute break, penciled in as “20 minute aerobics in company gym.” Lunch would be at Zombini’s, but there’d be a salesman meeting with me to discuss a new project. Afternoon would be a real killer — a delegation from our southern region factory for “show and tell.” After that, a detailed report for the boss, placed on his desk before leaving for the day.

On the one hand, several of the items positively energized me. I could hardly wait to try my hand with the prototype mechanism dreamed up by the youthful guys and gals in the technology department. And lunch out would be preferable to another tuna sandwich, concocted and refrigerated overnight, resulting in soggy bread.

“God, what a day!” I mumbled.

My God and I Walk Through Today, Together

My God and I walk through today, together;
He sees and hears all that I say and do.
When problems mount I’m glad He’s my companion;
His wisdom, power is strong to bring me through.

My God and I commute to work together;
I drive the car, He’s with me on the ride.
We talk and sing, our hearts embrace each other;
Stress has to leave with Jesus by my side.

My God and I live in my home together;
I do the chores with Heaven on my mind.
He gives me thoughts to brighten every corner;
Frustration goes, His happiness I find.

My God and I deal with the kids together;
His grace empowers us to live in peace.
We read His Word, He opens up the meaning;
We learn to love forgiveness’ sweet release.

My God and I, with family together
Find help for every struggle’s pain and fear.
He heals and touches all the broken pieces;
I cannot fail since Jesus Christ is here.

My God and I will always be together;
When life’s last breath is taken I will leave.
Earth’s days were only but a moment’s journey;
Heaven’s joy awaits, my Savior I will see.

Dear Lord, I’ll love and worship You forever;
Please keep my heart safe in Your arms of love.
I want to live to bring You praise and glory,
To echo back the angels’ songs above.

by Elaine Hardt ©1996
To the tune: My God and I, by I. B. Sergei
(Austris A. Wihtol) ©1970 by Singspiration, Inc.

Now the View is Peaceful

(Photo by Peter Hardt ©2006)

Dark storm clouds move aside, revealing
A radiant sun in a peaceful blue field
Has been there
All the time.

Internal turmoil lessens, revealing
A strong heart surrounded by God’s love;
He’s been here
All the time.

Questions sometimes jab like lightning bolts;
A weary mind examines possibilities,
Because He’s still here
All the time.

Discomfort stirs my realizations
I can’t make a success of myself alone;
I need Someone who’s here
All the time.

Another storm may roll in. Sooner? Later?
God’s faithfulness, His grace, His power
Keeps me, grows me
All the time.

by Elaine Hardt ©2007