I have never really written much about my mom outside of her birthday or Mother’s Day (which I’ll share even more tomorrow). Well, my mother, Dorothy Ree Bradford, was also a writer. She was an author and a poet. A few years ago, I tried to encourage her to start blogging but it wasn’t her thing.
During the early 2000s, she published a monthly newsletter called The Encourager. The Encourager was a one pager that included words of encouragement with relevant scriptures as references. Every month she would print out her newsletter and mail it to her friends. I believe she did this for about two years. To this day, her friends still mention her newsletters.
When I began blogging, I never associated what she did with what I had aimed to do– inspire and encourage others. Honestly, I am not really sure why I chose to use the word “Inspiration” in my title, Shaun’s Daily Inspiration, instead of “Encouragement.” I believe I liked the way Inspiration flowed. I will have to look back and see what I was thinking when I created it.
Anyhoo… I am slowly discovering just how much we were alike. Sadly, I never really felt like we were ever on the same page. While packing up her house, I found so many journals. Had no idea she was constantly writing. None of my other siblings keep journals. Only me. Now, I do remember her having diaries when I was a little girl. I am pretty sure that is what inspired me to start writing. I had to stop keeping a diary because she kept reading them. Yeah… I was forever getting in trouble for what I had written.
The excerpt below is from my journal entry written on September 18, 2020 (significant date–will provide more details tomorrow):
“More and more I feel like I’m destined to be an encourager, even though my life isn’t the best. Guess I get that from Momma.”
It’s all beginning to make sense. I am truly her legacy.♥️
It’s Shaun’s World 
Hey Ms. Shaun! I’m sitting on something, a book of words I know the world needs, but I’m not sure when to “go” (publish). I keep journals as well and I used to post videos to a YouTube page and signed “The Encourager”. I call myself that because for some reason people love to come to me for advice and spiritual insight. My husband says we could be in an elevator and going from the first to the second floor, a stranger would have told me their whole life story. I guess that’s my calling. I have this NAGGING feeling that God has something big planned, but I can’t put my finger on it. I know for sure it includes speaking life into people. When I saw that your Mom had a newsletter called “The Encourager” it was like a foreshadowing of what’s to come. I’m getting closer, but not yet. I’m praying for you. In this season of your life, be sure to be intentional about picking up your feet when you walk and placing them down with God confidence. Make your moves with power behind them knowing that God has already cleared the path for you. You got this. Thank you for being so diligent in your work. Your words are truly inspirational.
May God continue to guide your steps and place your feet on a solid spiritual foundation.
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Thank you so much for the kind words of encouragement. As we both know, timing is everything. When it’s time, you will publish and your words will bless millions. Take care and enjoy your weekend. Shaun
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