Shirlee Abbott

A Good Story

Posted on May 14, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

God has already written my story. I live it out, page by page, day by day.

Psalm 118:24 (MEV)
This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Even if today is a terrible, no good, very bad day, it’s one day closer to eternity in heaven. And that’s something to be glad about.

Good morning, Lord. I know how my life story ends — in heaven, with You, for eternity. I don’t know what I’ll find on the next page or in the next chapter. I do know that it puts me one page, one chapter closer to the glorious end. All good, in Your good time, thank You.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged a good end, my story, Psalm 188:24, this day | 6 Comments

A Better Story

Posted on May 13, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

If I were writing my own story, it would be different — different, not better.

I would have written my story blindly, not knowing what was ahead.

Psalm 139:16 (TLB)
You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!

God saw me before I existed. He knew my story before it started. God’s got the better perspective on my life.

Good morning, Lord. You wrote my story before I was born, thank You. There are parts of my story I don’t like … there are parts of me I don’t like. But my story is Your story, thus it is a love story. You love all of me — the good and the bad. You have recorded my progress — more good and less bad. I trust You for a good end to my story.

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My Story

Posted on May 12, 2025 by Shirlee Abbott

My story is really God’s story:

Hebrews 12:2 (MEV)
Let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith …

My story isn’t a feel-good novel. It isn’t fantasy or science fiction. It’s a real-time documentary.

But it’s also a love story. A story of God’s love … for me, for my friends and family, for the world.

I’m not in charge of my story. I don’t pick the time and place. I don’t pick the main characters. I don’t dictate the plot.

Good morning, Lord. Thank You for writing my story. Granted, there are chapters I didn’t like, but they got me to the person and place I am today. On my own, I would have edited the hard parts to be easier, which would have made the main character (me) a weaker soul. Each page shaved away a bit of my selfishness, greed and arrogance. You are the Author of my faith … and I’m better for it.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Author of my faith, God's story, Hebrews 12:2, love story, my story | Comments Off

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!

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Matthew 6:6, prayer closet, waiting room | 2 Comments

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.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged discipline, forgive me, Hebrews 12:5-6, I'm sorry, time-out corner, waiting room | Comments Off

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.

Posted in Constructive Thought, Morning Prayer | Tagged Deuteronomy 8:16-18, humility, pride of self-sufficiency | Comments Off

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)

Posted in Morning Prayer | Tagged hope, National Day of Prayer, Romans 15:13 | Comments Off