Life

Allowing God to Shepherd

Here’s today’s YouTube message, “What If?”, by Pastor Stephanie Ike Okafor. When I tell you it was exactly what I needed. Y’all, I have been trying to shepherd my life instead of allowing God to do so. I realize it’s a control thing. Accepting that I am just a sheep makes so much more sense, and it alleviates the pressure of trying to figure everything out. God already has that under control. Even when I feel like I have deviated from His plan, I must trust that He will guide me back to where I am meant to be. No mistake is beyond God’s repair. Amen

Allowing God to shepherd.

I pray that this message blesses you as much as it did me.♥️

This is Year50

Shaun

Life

Your Future is Waiting

Your future is waiting for you to…

Love yourself unconditionally.

Embrace the love that’s flowing your way.

Tune out the noise of unworthiness.

Let go of things that no longer serve you.

Never forget that you are God’s child and deserve His absolute best.♥️ ~ Shaun

Yes, YOU (I’m talking to you!) deserve God’s best. Love you!♥️
Life

Testimony Time

You know how Jesus would tell the people he healed not to tell anyone, but they told anyway. I mean, who could blame them?! He changed their lives. Well, I can’t keep this to myself! As I have written before, my testimonies are meant to be shared and in real time.

So here we go…

Last year during this exact week of August (2022), my mom was in ICU and we didn’t know if she would make it or not. Sooo grateful she stayed with us several more months. At the time, my primary consulting contract had ended and I did not have any other opportunities waiting. So I tried doing the regular job search, but couldn’t find anything. It seemed like the more I applied for jobs, the more I was rejected. All I wanted was a receptionist job. Nothing big. Well, while I was applying, I kept hearing God say, “Take this time to rest and be with your mom.” I was listening but still trying to make things happen on my own. Looking back, God was so right (duh). I didn’t need to find a job. All I needed to do was rest in Him and take care of my mom.

Well, as my funds decreased, my debt increased. Yeah… this past year has been a financial nightmare. Told you I was going to be transparent. So all of those encouraging words and messages I was sharing were actually words of encouragement for myself. And y’all, I can’t lie, God really did take care of me. When, He told me to rest and focus on my mom, He actually meant it. The craziness only happened when I became anxious. I would always compare it to Peter walking on water. How he only began to sink when he started focusing on what was around him instead of who was in front of him. I’m getting better at tuning out the noise, but it’s taking me a minute.

Anyhoo… I’m not going to go into too much detail today. One day I’ll share everything.

Here are my two major testimonies that have happened this week, but have been in the making for some time –

Testimony One: So, I have been working with my mortgage company for almost a year now to keep my house from going into foreclosure. This would have been my second foreclosure in eight years. The first was after my ex husband and I separated. Well, this morning I was notified that everything had been taken care of. No, this wasn’t like in the movies when some anonymous person steps in and saves the day. Laughing. I love my shows, but nah baby, this is real life. It took a lot tears, praying and jumping through hoops to accomplish this. Listen, my interest rate is too good to just let my house go. Y’all, I can finally breathe. Let’s just say that the pain and suffering I went through in 2015 prepared me for this. I didn’t panic this time. Y’all, panicking will cause you to make some bad decisions.

Testimony Two: I am back in school finishing up my Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree. Been out since 2020. Here is where this testimony comes in. As I mentioned, my funds are scarce. However, since I really wanted to go back (I’m finally ready to do this thing!), I had to find a way to pay for it out of pocket. When I say God worked this out too! Y’all, this term is paid for. I’m back in. Again, it wasn’t easy. Had to jump through a few hoops for it to happen, but it was worth it.

Y’all, God is working. I may have to shed a few tears and make some sacrifices to get to where I’m going; however, I know in the end all of it will be worth it. Amen

Year50

Life

Don’t Limit God

I have had this as my cover/header on several of my social media platforms for three years now. Three years! Three years and I still find myself placing limits on God. Shaking my head.

Don’t limit God

Do Not Limit God!

A couple of days ago, I went on a 24 hour adventure with a feisty, fearless 82 year old. When I tell you she’s not afraid to live! She kept saying, “Aww LaShaundra (not LaShaundrea), you’re a scaredy cat.” When I tell you she’s so spontaneous. Everything I once was. Probably everything I could still be if I would have stayed out of my head.

Now I am sitting here asking myself what would happen if I completely let go… like completely. What limits am I blocking? Hmmm…

In the words of one of my all time favorite people in the world, “Higher is waiting.” Y’all, I believe that’s my answer. That’s what I am blocking. I’m blocking something higher. Guess it’s time to take those limits off and soar! I can do this!!!

Wishing you a wonderful Thursday. Love you!♥️

Shaun

Gotta love Year50. When I tell you I was not expecting my year to be anything like this. When I say God is pruning me for real. Y’all, it’s scary, uncomfortable, and somewhat painful; however, I am trusting God to take me somewhere wonderfully, unimaginable. Somewhere where my heart will sing again, the butterflies will flutter, and I will experience an overflow of joy, blessings and unconditional love, forever…

Life

Hold Your Peace

Here’s what’s currently playing in my head –

Victory by Commissioned

Talked about, lied on and criticized
Many tears fell from my eyes
I wondered how much can one man take
I wanted to retaliate but god said

Hold your peace vengence is mine
Enemies will bow down in due time
Hold your peace, I’ll fight your battles
Victory, victory shall be mine
Victory, victory shall be mine
Victory, victory shall be mine

Hold your peace and let God fight your battles. Believe me, He’s got this. You must remember that you are God’s child.

Shaun♥️