NOW, So Hard to Describe

NOW cannot actually be true,
For as soon as I said NOW to you,
NOW evaporated and did not last;
It was demoted into the Past.

It seems to be the Future’s fault
That Time itself can never halt;
NOW refuses yet to stay,
Blink your eyes, it’s gone away.

NOW we cannot hold,
feeling fear or being bold;
Happy or sad, NOW is fleeting,
Another moment we are meeting.

This paradoxical puzzle
The intellect to muzzle,
NOW teases and perplexes me,
Challenging views of reality.

NOW is beyond the mind of man!
Puzzled by when NOW began?
Ask our Creator in Eternity,
He knows everything, certainly.

At death each man will know what’s true.
A timeless, magnificent NOW for you.
A new NOW by faith in God, believed,
That NOW by Jesus Christ received.

NOW being hard to be described
This poem’s point may seem contrived,
But serious thought is needed here,
Let truth come through, both loud and clear.

By Elaine Hardt ©2006

Explaining Life in 194 Words

Small problems, daily ordinary concerns,
a matter of learning and doing;
the average person deals with life.

Catastrophic problems, immense realities
demand research, effort, mental engagement;
Concern mingles with confusion and irritation.

Unprincipled persons take advantage
to press for power and greedy gain;
weakness will be our downfall.

Consider Elijah of Bible fame: brave, determined.
Strong enough to believe in the one, true God.
Strong enough to confront the evil.

Consider Jesus: know what He said, know what He did,
Confronting the sin, calling to the sinner;
He shows us God, He shows us love.

Today, mounting disasters reveal
evil grows bolder, weak souls hesitate or cave in;
the devil lures us to destruction.

Success demands the prepared person,
God uses those few who are available;
The outcome is on His terms, not ours.

We need strong, secure belief in the Lord,
Strong, confident, yet desperate prayer;
God empowers each of us to do what is right.

Life is no more a child’s storybook, a simple song,
Reality is life and death, joy and pain, Heaven and Hell,
Our choices affect so many others, besides ourselves.

Life is a tremendous challenge, an astounding opportunity!

By Elaine Hardt ©2007




May you experience the love of Christ,
though it is so great you will never fully understand it.
Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”
Ephesians 3:19 NLT

One Thing You Lack

Your life resembles a well-crafted book
And you’re willing to take a thoughtful look;
Columns of figures comprise the sum,
Year-end results will show what you’ve done.

What if there’s an area neglected,
Forgotten or much earlier rejected?
Are you open to making needed change?
Can you, your rigid ideas re-arrange?

Not to be fussy or hypercritical,
Not that you failed to be analytical;
You reject failure, aim for success;
See if you will pass God’s test.

Once a man said, “There’s one thing you lack. . . “
Listeners paid attention, taken aback;
A spiritual truth it turned out to be,
Vital consideration for you or me.

You might welcome it— an idea, find,
To pique the interest of your active mind.
Maybe it’s time for you to take
Another look, for Heaven’s sake.

By Elaine Hardt ©2007

Hello, New Year: I'm Ready and I'm Here

I’m ready to meet the New Year,
No matter what bad news I hear;
God sees and He knows,
My faith in Him grows,
I’m ready to meet the New Year.

I’m ready to meet the New Year,
I’ll take my stand without fear;
I’m reading God’s Word,
His promise I’ve heard,
I’m ready to meet the New Year.

I’ll talk to the Lord in prayer,
Finding peacefulness there.
When I’m tempted to confusion,
I’ll cast out thoughts of delusion.

I’ll recite reasons for gratitude,
Improving my smile and my attitude.
I’ll offer forgiveness where You show me,
I receive Your forgiveness gratefully.

I’m determined to grow stronger,
Delay new commitment no longer.
God knows what is best
To honor Him in each test.
I’m ready to meet the New Year.

I’m ready! I’m ready! I’m ready
to meet the New Year.

— Elaine Hardt ©2005

A Look at New Year's Eve with Suggestions for New Year's Day

Will it be another grand occasion,
A New Year’s celebration,
A putting-on an attitude, party-on time?

Will there be parades for viewing,
Football games, and over-doing,
All the sociable expectations that come to mind?

Or will there be time for introspection,
Honest sizing-up intentions,
Looking for a sincerely spiritual point of view?

Could we look past the drinking, eating,
the people that we’re meeting,
not neglecting what’s most important for anyone to do?

We could pause for reflection,
Confess we’ve missed perfection,
Gratefully consider how greatly God has been blessing you.

Learn from situations of the past,
Forgive each other now, at last,
And schedule in time to daily pray and read God’s Word, too.

So, let’s go past the decorations,
The New Year’s speculations,
Despite the troubles looming all around the world we see.

Let’s choose to have a brand-new Year
With confidence, not fear,
Trusting and walking with the Lord obediently.

by Elaine Hardt ©2006

Me, Talking to Myself

Of all the things I could be doing
And there’s plenty I should do,
I need to regroup my self;
It’s time to renew!

Will the earth stop revolving
If I sit a moment here?
Can I listen to a glorious hymn
And enjoy what I hear?

Can I close my eyes to clutter
And release my tension’s pain?
‘Tis bliss to feel some peacefulness,
relax to its refrain.

I’ve been busy, way too busy,
I’m weary to the bone;
I’m thankful for God’s goodness
And quiet time alone.

By Elaine Hardt ©2006

Relief From Winter's Assault

In the midst of artificial holiday cheer
avoid deep drifts of aggravation,
the freeze of frustration,
slippery confusion.

There's relief for weary travelers,
Your Father invites you to come;
The Cross road is the way
And His love is the Son.

More than shelter from winter's assault
Faith conquers life's trials;
Walk in confidence, sing for joy,
Jesus Christ is real.

by Elaine Hardt ©1990