Category: hope

hope

Who Would Imagine a King

Shaun Bradford

Woke up with Whitney Houston’s song “Who Would Imagine a King” playing in my head. Here are the lyrics (courtesy of LyricFind).

Mommies and daddies always believe
That their little angels are special indeed
And you could grow up to be anything
But who would imagine a king

A shepherd or teacher is what you could be
Or maybe a fisherman out on the sea
Or maybe a carpenter building things
But who would imagine a king

It was so clear when the wise men arrived
And the angels were singing your name
That the world would be different ’cause you were alive
That’s what heaven stood still to proclaim

One day an angel said quietly
That soon he would bring something special to me
And of all those wonderful gifts he could bring

Who would imagine, who could imagine
Who would imagine a king

Who knew Jesus would be king? Just imagine how His childhood playmates must’ve felt when they found out He was the Messiah. We read and tell the “Christmas Story” as if it was a fairytale, but it was a real story. Growing up, Jesus had friends and siblings like everyone else. He was human. However, He was also God’s only son and would eventually become our savior.

Today, I am grateful that God chose to send a piece of Himself to the world. Someone who left a blueprint on how to love, show compassion, and hope for a better, brighter future. We are blessed.

Merry Christmas!♥️

Shaun

“Who Would Imagine a King” by Whitney Houston

**P.S. For those who received the email of the blog I posted then deleted, I’m good. Instead of hiding my grief from my daughter, I opened up. It was hard for me to do, but I did it.🙏🏽

hope

Merry Christmas

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning and Merry Christmas!

This year’s message is the same as last year’s—

“The greatest gift you can give is your love, presence, and undivided attention. YOU, my friend, are the perfect gift. Merry Christmas!♥️” –Shaun’s Daily Inspiration, December 25, 2023

Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed day.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Prep Time is Up

Shaun Bradford
Trust God. He’s got you!

“I guess my prep time is up,” is what I wrote in my notes on December 24, 2020. I’m smiling because this message will forever be relevant, whether it’s next year or five to ten years from now. When you think about it, we are always preparing for something because God is always moving. He’s not a stagnant God. So, today, this message is for whatever God believes we are prepared to receive.

Smile, your preparation time is up. You’re ready!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

What a Difference Time and Experiences Make

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!☀️

For several years now (since December 24, 2018), I have shared the same quote from Michelle Obama’s book “Becoming”–

“Am I good enough? Yes, in fact I am.”

For years, I questioned my worth. Seeing Michelle Obama (who’s #4 on my infamous list of people to meet) mention it in her book gave me hope. If she also questioned her worth at times and still surpassed her wildest dreams, then I could, too.

In 2018, I began a doctoral program to earn my DrPH (Doctor of Public Health) degree. I decided to pursue this degree after experiencing one of my most crushing moments professionally. Before then, I was always on top of my game. Personally, my life was in the pits, but professionally, it was taking off. Y’all, I was “The Research Diva!” I was so confident and sure of myself and where my career was going. Other professionals and organizations had begun contacting me because of my experience and expertise. However, I hadn’t accounted for some only reaching out because of the fact that I was Black. Once I realized I was only being used because of the color of my skin and my ability to reach populations some couldn’t, I was crushed.

After this realization, every project I was asked to work on, I questioned why I was asked. Was it because of the color of my skin? Did they truly recognize my worth? That’s when I felt if I had my doctorate, my race wouldn’t matter. But I already knew the answer to that, too.

So, for six years, I pursued the DrPH degree. I started strong, but then life happened…COVID happened…then life again. Last year, when I shared her quote, I had just finished another semester of the program, and I had a decision to make—spend more money working towards a degree that I was only pursuing to be deemed worthy or to withdraw. In May of this year, I finally withdrew from the program. Part of me felt like a failure because I couldn’t push past the fact that I was only doing it to prove my worth. Like girl, still get the degree! Then, the other half felt relieved because I could finally focus on the things I wanted to pursue, my real goals and dreams. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be referred to as Dr. LaShaundrea B.; however, I know I am worth more than a title and credentials.

Soooo…

Am I good enough?

Baby, YES! I’m more than good enough!

I now realize I needed to go through all of that craziness to get to where I am today. I can see where my ego and pride could’ve eventually been my downfall and at a higher level. Life is truly a journey.

Well, that’s all I have at the moment. Listen, if you are currently questioning if you are good enough, this is assurance that you are. You are more than good enough. You’re the best!♥️

Love you,

Shaun