Shirlee Abbott

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 | 1 Comment

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

A Good Question

Posted on September 22, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

Here’s another good question to ask myself before I act or speak:

Will this bring good and not harm?

Proverbs 31:12 (NIV)
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

This verse describes the way a wife of noble character treats her husband. I want to be a woman of noble character and expand the principle to include more than my spouse.

Note to self: putting up with abuse is good for no one — not the abuser, not the one abused.

Good morning, Lord. Teach me to speak well about others. Grant me the discernment to know when a word of correction is good for everyone involved. Show me how to offer genuine praise instead of superficial flattery and gentle suggestions instead of harsh criticism. May my words bring good and not harm all the days of my life.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged do no harm, Proverbs 31:12 | Leave a comment

Questions I Ask Myself

Posted on September 21, 2026 by Shirlee Abbott

The week we’ll look at some questions I ask myself before I speak or act — when I take a moment to think.

Today’s question: Is it true?

Philippians 4:8 (NIV)
…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Note to self: Not all true things are noble. And my motives might be far from pure.

Good morning, Lord. Teach me to pause before I speak, to evaluate my words before they leave my mouth. Stop me from repeating false information, or twisting the truth to my advantage, or trying to make myself look good at someone else’s expense. Show me when silence is the better option.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Philippians 4:8, true | 6 Comments