Shirlee Abbott

The Starting Line

Posted on June 23, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Accepting Christ isn’t a finish line, it’s the starting line. Scripture offers this advice for all us runners:

Hebrews 12:1-2 (MSG)
… Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it … When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item …

Thia long race to spiritual maturity doesn’t earn our way to heaven; it prepares us for heaven. And Jesus shows us how it’s done.

Good morning, Lord. Early in my journey with You, I was an eager runner. Now, I confess, I sometimes drag my feet, take a seat and make myself comfortable. You call me to step out in faith and move forward with confidence. Renew my strength, Lord, so I can run and not grow weary, walk and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Hebrews 12:1-2, Isaiah 40:31, starting line | Leave a comment

The Finish Line

Posted on June 22, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

With a smile and a handshake, graduates cross the finish line and accept their prized diplomas.

As believers in Christ, we look forward to a bigger and better prize.

James 1:12 (NASB)
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

It’s easy to get stuck in the daily details and lose sight of the finish line.

Good morning, Lord. Sometimes I’m so focused on the here and now that I lose sight of the now and forever. Grant me a balanced view of the race You’ve laid out for me. Teach me to run with one eye on the path in front of me and the other on the eternal finish line.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged finish line, James 1:12, race | 2 Comments

Unexpected Gratitude

Posted on June 19, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Joseph’s brothers thew him in a pit and sold him into slavery. He wound up in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Not much there to inspire gratitude.

Years went by. Joseph became the #2 man in Egypt, responsible for helping millions through an extended drought. He spoke graciously to his brothers:

Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

In essence, thank You, God, for bringing good out of this mess.

Unexpected gratitude, indeed.

Good morning, Lord. We joke about “you’ll thank me later,” but how many times have I thanked You later? How often has my complaining turned into unexpected gratitude? Lots and lots! Thank You.

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Delayed Gratitude

Posted on June 18, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Jesus healed 10 lepers. Only one took time to offer a proper thank you.

Luke 17:15-16 (NIV)
One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him.

I wonder about the other nine. After the initial excitement wore off, were they overwhelmed with gratitude?

Good morning, Lord. How often do I forget to thank You? More times than I can count — forgive me. As I look back on my life, I can see Your hand at work in ways I missed in the excitement or frustration of the moment. And I have taken the credit when it rightly belonged to You. Dear God, I’m sorry. You have been so good to me, and I am grateful.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged gratitude, Luke 17:15-16, ten lepers | 4 Comments

Interrupted Gratitude

Posted on June 17, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Luke 8:41-42 (NIV)
Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.

Surely Jairus was grateful when Jesus agreed to come to his house. Along the way, Jesus stopped to heal a woman. In Jairus’ place, I’d have thought (and maybe even said), “I’m grateful, yes, but could we skip the interruption?”

Good morning, Lord. When I ask You for something, I’m hoping for an answer sooner rather than later. Teach me to trust Your timing, to wait patiently with an attitude of gratitude.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged gratitude, interruption, Jairus, Luke 8:41-42 | 4 Comments

Morning and Evening Gratitude

Posted on June 16, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

1 Chronicles 23:30 (CEV)
Every morning and evening, the Levites are to give thanks to the Lord and sing praises to him.

Bookend your day with praise and thanksgiving.

Good morning, Lord. Most of my prayers are loaded with requests: give me, do this, send that. You are the Great Provider and Protector, thank You. Even if You never do one more thing for me, even if You never answer one more question, You are worthy of my eternal praise. Holy and glorious, gracious and merciful, mighty and generous, I praise Your name.

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Graduation Gratitude

Posted on June 15, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

‘Tis the season for graduations … when students step into the next chapter of their lives.

‘Tis the season for gratitude: parents are grateful their kids reached this milestone, teachers are grateful another class made it through, and students are grateful to cross the finish line.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ERV)
Whatever happens, always be thankful.

Good morning, Lord. I thank You for the young men and women who are graduating from high school or college. Open the right doors for them. Give them ears to hear the voice of Your Holy Spirit telling them the way to go (Isaiah 30:21). Lead them on paths of righteousness for Your name’s sake (Psalm 23:3).

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged 1 Thessalonians 5:18, graduation, gratitude, Isaiah 30:21, Psalm 23:3 | Leave a comment

Jerusalem Future

Posted on June 12, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Let’s take a peek into the future:

Revelation 21:2-3 (NIV)
I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”

The best is yet to come!

Good morning, Lord. I look forward to the hope of heaven, to the absence of evil and the glory of Your unending presence. Meanwhile, O God, walk beside me here on earth, fill me with strength and wisdom. Be my light in the darkness and my joy in hard times.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged New Jerusalem, Revelation 21:2-3 | 2 Comments

Babylon Future

Posted on June 11, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

The last book of the Bible reveals the end of Babylon’s evil empire.

Revelation 18:9-10 (ESV)
And the kings of the earth … will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning. They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say,

“Alas! Alas! You great city,
you mighty city, Babylon!
For in a single hour your judgment has come.”

Good morning, Lord. Evil may prosper temporarily, but ultimately judgment will come. Teach me to know evil when I see it, empower me to turn away from any temptation to join forces with wrongdoing. Show me the path of righteousness, help me live within the guardrails of Your truth.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Babylon, good and evil, Revelation 18:9-10 | Leave a comment

Jerusalem Past

Posted on June 10, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Jerusalem, destroyed by the Babylonians, was later restored. During His time on earth, Jesus lamented over her future destruction.

Matthew 21:37-38 (NIV)
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate.”

Jesus found no joy in the destruction of the city where He would be put to death.

Good morning, Lord. You find no joy in the discomfort that follows my poor choices. Like a parent who says, “This hurts me more than it hurts you,” You suffer when I suffer. The discipline that comes my way is always for my own good.

You died for my sin. Teach me to live whole-heartedly for You.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Jerusalem, Matthew 21:37-38 | 2 Comments