Changing Room

Posted on May 9, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 


God’s waiting rooms are also changing rooms.

 


Isaiah 61:3 (GNV)
… to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of gladness for the spirit of heaviness, that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.

While we wait, God changes us … for the better.

 

Good morning, Lord. I look back and see how far I’ve come … I am kinder, less impulsive, more patient. Over the years, You have changed me for the better. Thank You. But I need more — more compassion, more discernment, more love for those who are hard to love.

Here I am, Lord, waiting on You. Change me!

 

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Prayer Closet

Posted on May 8, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 


Your waiting room is also a prayer closet.

 


Matthew 6:6 (MEV)
But you, when you pray, enter your closet, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret.

 

Good morning, Lord. Teach me to fill the empty spaces in my life with prayer. While I’m waiting for something new, I can pray for those I love, for Your Church, for my neighbors, for my nation, for the world, for the coming kingdom, for myself. Yes, prayer changes things. Prayer changes people. Prayer changes me — for the better. While I wait, Lord, bring on the change!

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Time-Out Corner

Posted on May 7, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Sometimes I’m in the waiting room because God is waiting on me.

 


Hebrews 12:5-6 (NLT)
My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.

God puts me in the time-out corner, waiting for an attitude adjustment.

 

Good morning, Lord. You send me to my room with a firm but loving “Think about what you’ve done.” In the quiet of my private space, I meditate on Your Word and my action.

I’m sorry, God. Forgive me. Thank You for Your discipline, for teaching me right from wrong.

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Pantry

Posted on May 6, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 

Your waiting room may also be a pantry.

Stock up while you wait.

 

Isaiah 55:2-3 (ESV)
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live.

 

 

Good morning, Lord. Forgive me for thinking wait time is wasted time. I can — and should! — fill those waiting days and hours reading Your Word, singing songs of praise, drawing closer to You.


Teach me to stock the storage shelves of my soul with good things while I have the time, so that there will be plenty to get me through any hard times ahead. Holy Spirit, show how me how to put wait time to good use, in Jesus’ name.

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The Waiting Room

Posted on May 5, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Ever feel like you’re in the waiting room, wondering when God’s going to show up and take charge?

I had two jobs where I seemed to be marking time, going nowhere. Each waiting-room position was followed by a much better job that wasn’t available when I first needed new work.

Wait time isn’t wasted time. Trust God … He’s at work behind the scenes, managing the timeline.

Psalm 27:14 (ESV)
Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!

 

Good morning, Lord. You know that I want answers here and now. I know that You have a long-range plan, and my request for a quick fix may not fit into Your timeline. Teach me to wait patiently — no whining, no pouting. I trust You, Lord God. Forgive my irritation, give me a tranquil and trusting heart.

 

 

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The Pride of Self-Sufficiency

Posted on May 2, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

 


Give God the credit He’s due.

 


Deuteronomy 8:16-18 (MSG)
If you start thinking to yourselves, “I did all this. And all by myself. I’m rich. It’s all mine!”—well, think again. Remember that God, your God, gave you the strength to produce all this wealth so as to confirm the covenant that he promised to your ancestors—as it is today.

A little humility goes a long way.

 

Good morning, Lord. Forgive me for taking all the credit for what I have. You are the provider of it all: my talents and skills, the resources, and the foundation established by those who came before me. Thank You! Teach me to be a good steward of all that You have given me, to be generous and hospitable, willing to serve others for the sake of Your kingdom.

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Abounding in Hopeful Prayer

Posted on May 1, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

Here in the USA, today is the National Day of Prayer. This year’s theme focuses on hope:

Romans 15:13 (ESV)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Let us pray —

God of hope, fill us with all joy and peace in believing, so that we will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit …

We pour out our hearts for our nation, for the people and places, relationships and responsibilities the Lord has established: the Church, Family, Education, Business, Military, Arts, Entertainment, Media, and Government. May all who live, serve, and steward in these be filled with Your purpose, wisdom, strength, and truth …

In abounding hope, anchored by our hope in the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen!

(Prayer from the National Day of Prayer website. Read the whole prayer for yourself here)

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Wait!

Posted on April 30, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

While I’m taking a vacation from writing, COMPEL Training posted a few words from me.

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See You Next Week

Posted on April 22, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

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Let’s Take Easter Personally

Posted on April 21, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott


“Bearing shame and scoffing rude,
in my place condemned he stood,
sealed my pardon with his blood:
Hallelujah, what a Savior!”
Philip P. Bliss, 1875

 

Jesus stood in my place. Jesus died in my place. 

 

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for loving the world. But on a personal note, thank You for loving me, for dying for me, for granting me eternal life. Teach me to look at Easter from both a corporate and an individual perspective: You pour your grace on me … and on a world of others. Grace isn’t a limited resource — there’s more than enough for everyone!

 

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