I Wish You Flowers

Sculptured fragrance that whispers of love: the perfect rose
in creamy white, crimson red, golden-peach elegant clothes.

Delicate snow-white baby’s breath, gladiola and iris, too,
Ruffled petunia, orchids, violets, flowers of every hue.

There’s more! God’s bounty of beauty lavishly growing
Around the world a dazzling array of form and color showing.

I wish you flowers even more remarkable than any of these;
Picture a hedge with sharp thorns, taller than trees.

That’s part of its splendor. Thorns? you cry.
Yes! Well-watered, thriving, reaching to the sky.

God gives each believer a hedge of protection.
The colors are a product of sanctified imagination.

How about green, with royal-purple budded exclamations?
Or, maybe pale gray leaves and flaming blood-red carnations?

As absolute protection against all that would assault and harm our lives
His hedge perfectly encircles and wondrously beautifies,

Allowing us to bloom where we’re planted, refreshed by blessing showers.
So for today and always, my friend, I wish you a hedge of flowers.

— Elaine Hardt ©1995
Photo by Carlene Hardt ©2006

Stranger on 29th Lane

The man walked dejectedly down the road. Glancing out the front bedroom window I just happened to see him, and I watched to see what would happen next. A moment later he turned into our driveway.

Garbed in a heavy brown jacket he wore no hat, even though the February breeze was cold this afternoon. He was carrying some sort of a large grocery bag. With only a dozen houses on our road I knew every neighbor fairly well, and I was sure I hadn’t seen him before.

Presently, the doorbell rang, and I knew it was the stranger.

With a nice smile he introduced himself, holding up a gallon plastic jug. “I have a great new cleaning product,” the young man began.

Already I knew I didn’t need whatever it was. But I was kind as I interrupted, “We don’t need any, but thank you.”

After I closed the door I went to the bedroom window where I couldn’t be seen through the sheer curtains. There he was, walking down the road to my neighbor’s house. I knew it was too early for Nancy to be home from work. This stranger would find no sales at all on this street, I thought.

Getting back to my desk a sudden heaviness filled my eyes. I wept for the man. Can you believe it?

The sensible thing was to reconsider the possibilities. He could be scoping out the neighborhood, looking for likely places to rob when there’d be no one home. He could be looking for young kids to open the door and he’d invite himself in if they said that mom wasn’t home yet. Maybe this or maybe that, who knows.

He looked strong and healthy; he should have had a real job, real work with predictable pay. But with the local economy so bad right now . . .

There was nothing else for me to do but pray. I asked God to bless him in some wonderful and unexpected way. I asked for his needs to be met. I prayed that he’d go over to the local men’s shelter in town if he needed a place to stay. Then I got bold. “Lord, keep this guy from thinking of crime. Keep him from depression and anger.” Finally, I added, “I’m sorry I am not the one to help him, but I know You have someone today for him.”

Only last week our newspaper had a story about some homeless vet who was camping out behind some bushes at the town park. A big slobbery dog found his hiding place, but snuggled up to him and kept him warm overnight. The reporter concluded by telling how that big church downtown “adopted” the guy and got him into the men’s shelter.

Oh, for a happy ending. At least I know God is faithful to His Word. He does not leave any of us alone; His Holy Spirit will speak in the quietness to that stranger’s heart and hopefully the man will respond to His love. After all, there are no strangers to the Lord.

“ . . . Lord, when did we see You a stranger
and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
Or, when did we see You sick
or in prison and come to You?”
And the King will answer and say to them,
'Assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did it
to one of the least of these My brethren,
you did it to Me.'”
Matthew 25: 37-40 NKJV

by Elaine Hardt ©2009

From Frustration to Confidence

I realize that worry doesn’t look too good on me,
Frustration mounts and fogs my memory,
Fear has a way of sneaking in;
Lord, forgive me for this sin!

Just because some barely conceal anger in what they say,
Just because some are silent and look the other way,
Just because others stir up deception and strife,
I’ll not let them run my life.

Just because I don’t have all the answers needed for change,
Just because I lack the power to rearrange,
And on my own I stumble a little too much;
I’ll ask the Lord for His touch.

Economics, politics, crime, and troubles of all kinds,
Awareness of evil can overwhelm our minds;
I sort of need to know about some of this stuff,
But without the Lord, it’s too rough.

Here are some things I must continue to remind myself,
A spiritual enemy attacks with stealth;
Trust God and obey, this is the way
He gives us confidence today.

By Elaine Hardt ©2009

Ode to Weeds

Oh, beautiful for flowers small and wild variety,
Famed for unique design and curious complexity,

Nearly camouflaged in color, some of you are barely seen;
Others sprout in wild defiance, proudly wearing shades of green.

Persistently determined (from experience I’ve learned)
Emblazoned in a sidewalk crack when my back is turned.

Spring’s recent shower seems to have revitalized your beauty;
Strong-willed, you keep coming back, your staunchly stubborn duty.

Your bonnie blooms are completely unappreciated;
Your usefulness, my dislike of you, is now contemplated.

Your roots so long and tangled in non-uniformity;
I tug and then I conquer you, your toughness I can see.

I question all the work involved, oh, what is best to do?
Pull by hand in admiration, or spray the toxic brew?

In God’s wisdom He designed this fascinating sphere,
But I question your invasion, especially right here.

Would that I had gardened in Eden so far away and fair,
Then this irritating burden would not be mine to bear.

Your rowdy seed I do not need, as yet the breezes blow;
I ponder life’s existence and things I do not know.

Here, in conclusion, my simple song I urge you heed,
In tribute grudgingly, this springtime Ode to Weeds.

By Elaine Hardt ©2005

The Purpose of a Problem

Determination makes you strong,
Apathy makes you weak;
The problem brings a choice to you.

Reject confusion, depression!
Stand tall inside your heart;
God gives the power to you.

Pray for wisdom, help, protection.
Analyze, plan, then do;
God means for this to strengthen you.

By Elaine Hardt ©2009
Photo by Peter Hardt ©2004

Of Course, You ARE Busy!

Yes, it’s almost time for lunch
And this is a very busy day,
So, when will you make a quiet time
To plan for your future?
You are a thoughtful person. . .

None of us will live to be much past 110, will we?
None of us can quite comprehend the future;
We do want to know, ahead of time.
Should we ignore and show disrespect
To the Creator of Everything?

The time to ask questions is now,
The time to find answers is now.
The Bible is the unique word of God;
A simple prayer can open your heart
And bless a very busy person like you.

by Elaine Hardt ©2008

Something Matters

I want to do something that matters,
To repair, improve, help or contest,
Sharing my perspective and insight,
Trying to do what seems the best.

I want to say something that matters
Without carelessness, ignorance, or pride,
To calmly suggest with truthfulness,
And so consider life’s spiritual side.

I want to write something that matters,
That makes a difference in somebody’s life,
To acknowledge, challenge, encourage,
To bless them through their endeavor or strife.

I want to live like something matters,
Grace, by faith, our Creator’s plan:
Repentance, forgiveness, obedience,
Anyone who wants to know Him, can.

To believe, to be, to say, to do,
Facing life’s continuing test;
To look above, receive God’s love,
This matters, then we are truly blessed.

by Elaine Hardt ©2009