Shirlee Abbott

Worrying about What I Wear

Posted on May 14, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

Matthew 6:28-29 (NLT)
And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

I always thought this verse was about having something, anything to wear. With a full closet, I skipped over it. Not my problem.

But I do worry about what I’m wearing: is it too casual, am I overdressed, does it make me look fat or frumpy?

Oops, it is my problem.

Good morning, Lord. Forgive me for worrying about how I look, how others see me, how I stack up compared to others. Teach me to focus on You, to compare myself to no one but You, to strive to be more like You. Fill me with compassion, discernment, generosity, grace and love.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged clothes, Matthew 6:28-29, worry | Comments Off

What Shall I Wear?

Posted on May 13, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

I ask myself this question daily. I’m a Christian, an ambassador for Christ. How, then, do I dress the part?

Let’s look to the Bible:

Proverbs 31’s “wife of noble character” (verse 10) is “clothed in fine linen and purple” (v 22) and “strength and dignity” (v 25).

Bright linen and deep purple symbolize redemption and royalty — my sins are forgiven, and I’m a child of the King. The passage doesn’t say “sackcloth and rags.” The noble woman is well-dressed. Her clothes dignify (honor) her faith.

Question for the day: do I look nice and also honor God?

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and welcoming me into Your royal family. I don’t deserve it, and I want to honor You by what I wear, what I say and what I do.

I don’t want others to think less of You because of me. Guide the choices I make today, O God. May I reflect Your goodness and grace all day long.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged clothes, Proverbs 31, wife of noble character | Comments Off

Self-Talk: Gratitude

Posted on May 10, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

“Cultivate gratitude and thankfulness in all circumstances, for it is through gratitude that we find contentment.”
Benedict of Nursia
from the Rule of St. Benedict (6th century)

When I remind myself to be thankful, I set myself up to be content. When I fix my thoughts on the good things I already have, my wish-list shrinks.

Good morning, Lord. Forgive me for counting what others have that I don’t, for overlooking my blessings (which are too many to count). Fill my heart with gratitude. And may I live in such a way that others are grateful for me and count me among their blessings.

Posted in Morning Prayer, Timeless Wisdom | Tagged Benedict of Nursia, contentment, Count Your Blessings, gratitude | Comments Off

Self-Talk: Constructive Criticism

Posted on May 9, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

I’m a writer, and I’m part of a critique group. We read each other’s work and comment on what’s good and what could be improved. We share constructive criticism — we’re all better writers for it.

My self-talk is apt to be more complaint than critique, more pity-party than constructive criticism.

The Bible reminds us to critique ourselves.

2 Corinthians 13:5 (NASB)
Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you.

Self-critique: Can others see Christ in me? Do I see Christ in me?

Good morning, Lord. I would rather aimlessly complain than sincerely examine myself. Teach me to take time daily to review what I’ve said and done, to take note of what went well and what fell short. Holy Spirit, keep me honest as I look for what pleased You and what did not. Help me skip the excuses and learn from my mistakes.

Lord, I am Your ambassador in this world. Show me how to do it well.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged 2 Corinthians 13:5, complain, Constructive Criticism, critique | Comments Off

Self-Talk: What I [Don’t] Deserve

Posted on May 8, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

I’m shopping, and I find something I like. “I deserve it,” I tell myself, “because I’ve been …” (good, sick, overwhelmed–any reason will do).

Something bad happens. “I don’t deserve this!” I wail.

Do you know what I really don’t deserve? Grace.

Ephesians 2:8 (NLT)
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

God deserves all the credit. It’s His plan, His gift. Thanks be to God.

Good morning, Lord. Forgive me for taking grace for granted. You pour blessing upon blessing on me, and I barely notice. Sometimes, I even take all the credit myself, thinking I’ve somehow earned it, that I deserve the goodness You send my way. That old hymn gets it right: “Oh, to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be!” (Robert Robinson, 1758).

Thank You, O God, for grace. Thank You for my salvation. Thank You for blessings, more than I can ask, think or count.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Come Thou Fount, deserve, Ephesians 2:8, Robert Robinson, self-talk | Comments Off

Self-Talk: Good Enough

Posted on May 7, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

The things I say to myself — oh, how I waffle!

Sometimes I tell myself I’m too good for a task. Other times, I think I’m not good enough. I waffle between pride and doubt.

What does God say?

Romans 12:3b (NIV)
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all this through him [Christ] who gives me strength.

Sober judgment and strength. Need I say more?

Good morning, Lord. Every word I tell myself, You hear too. You listen to the whispers saying I’m better than someone else. You know when I compare myself to others and think I don’t measure up. My excuses don’t escape Your attention. My angry speeches fall on Your ears as well as mine. When I think no one notices, You are watching.

Remind me that You’re tuned into my every word. Teach me to include You in the conversation. Turn my self-talk into prayer.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged not good enough, Philippians 4:13, Romans 12:3, self-talk, too good | Comments Off

What Say You? (to Yourself)

Posted on May 6, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

Talk to myself? You bet! Sometimes it’s the best conversation I have all day.

And sometimes it is the worst.

I can be my best cheerleader and my worst critic. I can be brutally honest or the biggest liar. My self-talk changes with my mood.

Fortunately, God doesn’t change with my mood.

James 1:17 (NIV)
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Self-talk: shifting shadows.
God’s Word: unchanging … good and perfect.

[Note to self: Listen to God.]

Good morning, Lord. You know my moods, when I’m frustrated, when I’m content, when I’m at the end of my patience, when I’m looking for a pity party. You are unchanged by my moods, which is good. You stick with me, even when I’m not in the mood to listen, thank You. You are good to me even when I’m not good to You.

Teach me, O Holy Spirit, to be more like You: to listen, to know the truth when I hear it, and to walk in the way of righteousness.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged James 1:17, moods, self-talk, shifting shadows | Comments Off

Maximize Devotion, Minimize Distraction

Posted on May 3, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

Luke 10:38-40 (NIV)
Martha opened her home to him [Jesus]. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.

Jesus didn’t tell Martha to forget about the meal. He said Mary had chosen better. Martha’s problem wasn’t dinner, it was distraction. Perhaps she could have made her own better choice and managed both — a simpler meal and time spent at the Lord’s feet.

Less distraction leaves time for more devotion.

Good morning, Lord. You know the things that distract me, the tasks on my to-do list, my desire to get it all just right. Teach me to start with time devoted to You — and to finish the same way. Perfection can become a false god, forgive me for my devotion to it instead of You. Show me how less than perfect can be good enough.

Rewrite my to-do list, O God, to fit into Your perfect plan.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Luke 10:38-40, Mary and Martha, perfection, to-do list | Comments Off

Let Us Pray!

Posted on May 2, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

In the US, today is the National Day of Prayer. Wherever you are, take time today to pray for your nation.

Good morning, Lord. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12). We pray for blessings, and yet we ignore You, O God. Forgive us our greed, our self-centeredness, our arrogance. Humble our hearts, open our eyes, tune our ears. May we seek Your face, thirst for Your Word, honor Your truth and proclaim Your name.

Teach us to love You first and foremost — heart, soul, mind and strength.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged National Day of Prayer, Psalm 33:12 | Comments Off

Maximize the Good, Minimize the Harm

Posted on May 1, 2024 by Shirlee Abbott

We read this about the wife of noble character:

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

Maximize the good, minimize the harm … in my marriage, my church, my community. It’s a noble goal.

Good morning, Lord. You have put me in this place at this time for good reason. I want to leave a trail of more help than harm, more stepping stones than stumbling blocks. Grant me the ability and desire to see the need and offer aid, see the hurt and offer healing, see the fear and offer encouragement.

Teach me to think less about myself and more about others.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged good and harm, maximize, minimize, Proverbs 31:12 | Comments Off