Shirlee Abbott

The Voice on the Page

Posted on October 6, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

“Thus says the Lord.”

Repeated many times in Scripture, this is God’s voice at our fingertips, written in the Bible.

Isaiah 55:11 (NIV)
So is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Note to self: God’s voice accomplishes His purpose, not mine — I have to align my purpose with His.

Good morning, Lord. I am thankful for Scripture, for Your voice in the pages of my Bible. Teach me to study Your Word and take it to heart, to remember and obey its wisdom and truth. Give me eyes to see, ears to hear and the willpower to follow Your directions.

The Voice Telling Me Where to Turn

Posted on October 5, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Saturday, I drove through unfamiliar territory to a meeting far from home. I was grateful for the GPS voice guiding my way. Without her, I wouldn’t have arrived in the right place at the right time.

I often wish God’s instructions were equally clear.

Isaiah 30:26 (NIV)
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

But no. God’s directions usually require more effort on my part. I have to ask, listen and sometimes wait. But I still trust He will get me to the right place at the right time.

Good morning, Lord. I’m thankful for the technology that knows where I’m going and tells me how to get there. But I’m even more thankful for Your Holy Spirit, keeping me on the right path and opening the right doors. Shine Your light on my steps and fill my mind with the wisdom of Your Word. Keep me on the straight and narrow, in Jesus’ name.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged God's voice, good directions, Isaiah 20:36 | Leave a comment

The Great Storyteller

Posted on October 2, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Good stories are easy to remember. And Jesus was an expert storyteller: the Lost Sheep, the Prodigal Son, the Farmer Sowing Seed and so many more.

Matthew 13:34-35 (NLT)
Jesus always used stories and illustrations like these when speaking to the crowds. In fact, he never spoke to them without using such parables. This fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet:

“I will speak to you in parables.
I will explain things hidden
since the creation of the world.” [Psalm 78:2]

God tells His story better than anyone.

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for making my story part of Your story. You reveal Yourself in every chapter of my life. Make me a reflection of Your goodness and love today and every day.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Matthew ad:34-35, parables, stories | 2 Comments

The Only Story

Posted on October 1, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

“I love to tell the story
of unseen things above,
of Jesus and His glory,
of Jesus and His love.”
Kate Hankey, 1866

Without God, there is no story.

Good morning, Lord. Without You, I have no story to tell. You are the power behind every page, the joy in every season, the love that binds it all together. My heart aches for those who don’t know Your story, for people who close their eyes to the testimony of Your creation, the folks who harden their hearts to Your grace. Give them ears to hear, in Jesus’ name.

Posted in Morning Prayer, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged God's story, I Love to Tell the Story, Kate Hankey | Leave a comment

Time for My Story

Posted on September 30, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

I’ve written my way through changing technology: pen and paper, an old-fashioned typewriter and a new-fangled Selectric, a cumbersome computer and a sleek laptop, even my cell phone. I’ve used erasers, Wite Out, correction tape and — my favorite — the delete key.

It’s no accident I’m living in this moment in history.

Esther 4:14 (ESV)
… who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

As He did for Esther in her time, God has a plan for me in my time.

Good morning, Lord. You placed me here and now “for such a time as this.” Reveal Your purpose for me. Show me what to do next.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Esther 4:14, for such a time as this | 5 Comments

Where’s My Story?

Posted on September 29, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

My story covers seven different US states. I’ve lived on a farm, in small towns, an urban center, modern suburbia, and picturesque countryside. I’ve been where everyone knew my name and where no one knew my name.

I was never alone.

Psalm 139:7-8 (NIV)
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

No matter where, God is there.

Good morning, Lord. Wherever I am, You are. And I am eternally grateful.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged my story, Psalm 139:7-8 | Leave a comment

Finding My Story

Posted on September 28, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

I love to tell stories, my own included. My story has already been written … by God.

Psalm 139:16 (NLT)
Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

I’ve already lived parts of it, and I kinda know how it ends. There’s more to come that I don’t yet know.

Surprise me, God.

Good morning, Lord. You know my story, beginning to eternal end. Unfold it before me, page by page, season by season. May You be part of every day, let me see You in every situation. Fill me with gratitude for the past and teach me to trust You for the future.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged my story, Psalm 139:16 | 4 Comments

Without Question

Posted on September 25, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Sometimes, questions aren’t what I need.

Psalm 46:10 (ESV)
Be still, and know that I am God.

Note to self: Stop talking! Listen for a change.

Good morning, Lord. I can be so busy asking You for something — so focused on my own words — that I miss Your answer. Forgive me. Quiet my heart and teach me to listen. Fill me with the peace that passes understanding [Philippians 4:7].

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged be still, Philippians 4:7, Psalm 46:10 | 1 Comment

An Honest Question

Posted on September 24, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Romans 12:3 (NLT)
… Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves …

Before I get all hyped up, I should think, Is this even about me?

Note to self: Honestly, most of the time I’m not the main topic of conversation.

Good morning, Lord. Forgive me for thinking everything is about me, caused by something I said or the result of my failures. I jump to conclusions about my own actions and the actions of others. Teach me to look at myself honestly and learn from my mistakes. Grant me the wisdom to be gracious in my evaluation of other people. May I be as patient with them as You are with me.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Romans 12:3, self-evaluation | Leave a comment

A Question about Me

Posted on September 23, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Next question I ask myself: What I would want in this situation?

Matthew 7:12 (NIV)
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.

Note to self: The verse does not say “do to them what they did to you.”

Good morning, Lord. You know both sides of every story. Teach me to consider the other person’s feelings and needs before I speak or act. Help me choose my words wisely and kindly. Grant me the discernment to know when and how to act. Make me more like You; fill my heart with grace and mercy, even toward those who have offended me or hurt my feelings.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Matthew 7:12, The Golden Rule | 1 Comment