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I Surrender All

Shaun Bradford

Yesterday was very long and draining— mentally and emotionally. So, I reinstalled my social media apps with the intention of only posting my blog and managing business accounts. Needless to say, I fell right back into the same trap as before. I could not stop scrolling through the stories. Some of the stories were horrifying– people being tear gassed, looters destroying stores and properties, and people crying for justice. While other stories offered hope– law enforcement officers marching alongside protesters, white friends and colleagues recognizing and denouncing racism, and people being blessed in the midst of this madness. All of it was so overwhelming.

Some time during my scrolling and crying, I fell asleep. When I awoke, I had this song stuck in my head, I Surrender All. Growing up, we would sing it during alter calls (part of church services where people asked for prayer). The song says:

I surrender all
I surrender all
All to Thee, my Blessed Savior
I surrender all

Y’all, I needed this reminder. For the sake of my sanity, I have to surrender all to God. For the sake of humanity, we must surrender all. There is a scripture in the Bible that reads:

“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” Psalm 55:22

Believe it and be blessed.

Shaun

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Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

I love Sundays!

On Sundays, the first thing I do when I get up is, I open all of the blinds in my house so that natural sunlight flows in. Even on dreary and rainy days, I open the blinds. Afterwards, I turn on one of my favorite gospel streaming stations and sing along with my favorite singers. Right now I am listening to the Winans sing, Goodness, Mercy, and Grace. It is a good reminder that without God’s goodness, mercy and grace, I would not be where I am today. Y’all, God is so good.

After I wash my face and brush my teeth (yes, good hygiene is a must!), I prepare breakfast. Most of the time I prepare a big breakfast on Sundays because it is the only day of the week when I have time to cook in the mornings. Plus, it is a tradition. Growing up, we always had a big breakfast on Sunday mornings. Followed by an even larger dinner, that afternoon. Today, I rarely prepare huge dinners. It is too time consuming, and I would rather spend my day relaxing, not working.

Then, after breakfast, I shower and prepare to attend church service (online). Sometimes while I wait for my service to start streaming, I look at other services that are already in progress. Following service, I typically relax by watching a good movie. However, lately, I have been volunteering after church service. This COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted my normal, but in a good way. Honestly, I believe I am a better person because of it. Now, I seem to appreciate my blessings more. I also cherish my time and the peaceful moments I have been granted. Which is something I should have been doing all along.

Well, that was a very small glimpse of how I typically spend my Sundays. How do you spend yours?

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Praying . . .

Shaun Bradford

Today is June 1, 2020. It is the first day of my birthday month. Although my birthday falls towards the end of the month, I am usually celebrating right now. Everyone who knows me knows I love my birthdays! Y’all, right now I should be happily planning my celebration and counting down the days; however, I am not. This year, for the first time since I was a little girl, I am not excited. Do not get me wrong, I am grateful.. very grateful, but not excited.

Honestly, how can I celebrate while our county is in turmoil? We are outraged about the murders of our black men and women by the hands of those who swore to protect and serve our citizens. We are angry about injustices black and brown people face daily due to systemic, overt, and subtle racism. We are angry because we are angry! Believe me, this is not the country our forefathers imagined. They would be devastated to know that we are still fighting for civil rights in 2020. When will it end?

So, this year, instead of spending time planning my celebration, I am going to spend it praying for our nation. Yes, I believe in the power of prayer because GOD is still in control. My prayer is that God places His arms of protection around our families, friends, and neighbors. That He breaks down ALL negative barriers to include hatred, racism, anger, and divisiveness; and that He unites our nation through love and peace. Y’all, I truly believe, with my whole heart and soul, that love conquers all. I am not saying that bad things will not happen or evil will never exist. However, I do believe that there is more good in this world, than bad. I refuse to believe otherwise. Praying. . .

Shaun

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I Deleted My Social Media Apps

Shaun Bradford

It is so sad when the only way you can regulate your time on social media is to delete the apps. Yes, I deleted ALL of them – Twitter (my greatest distraction), Facebook and Instagram. Not sure how long this will last. However, at this very moment, I am no longer connected.

Releasing all of the negative, pinned up energy. Only positive thoughts and vibes.

Shaun

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This Too Will Pass

Shaun Bradford

I needed to write. Writing helps me process my feelings, especially when I am sad, confused or angry. Up until this point, I have not written anything about George Floyd’s murder, or any of the aftermath. Not even in my journal. Which is pretty odd. I keep telling myself I need to document this. But I have not been able to write. I guess it is because I cannot log off social media. I go from Twitter to Facebook to Instagram, then back to Twitter. The stories are so overwhelming, yet so mesmerizing. It is like I am here, but not here. I need to get a grip.

In the midst of all of my thoughts this morning, a song came to mind. A song that I used to listen to as a child— This Too Will Pass, by the late Reverend James Cleveland. The song says:

I’ve had heartaches like this before, and I’ve had disappointments by the score. I claim the victory at last. This too will pass. The sun will shine, it can’t rain all the time. The clouds are gray, will soon have to pass away.

Guess what– this too will pass. God is working. Brighter days are coming. Be blessed!

Shaun

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Celebrating 20 Years of Friendship

Shaun Bradford

This picture only represents a snippet of the relationship I have with my friend, T. Only using her initial because she does not like people in her business. Believe me, I am not crazy! Anyhoo… T and I met in culinary school 20 years ago. Yes, in 2000. Honestly, I do not know how we became friends. She was a comic book collector and loved Fred G. Sanford, Redd Foxx’s character on Sanford & Son. Y’all, Fred was hilarious! So, when I think about it, maybe it was her references to Fred that drew me to her. I mean, not a day went by that she did not say, “You know what Fred would say.” That was 20 years ago. To this day, Fred always ends up in our conversations. ALWAYS!

As with my other friends, I believe our friendship has lasted because we give each other space; or, maybe it is because they give me space. Hmmm… something to think about. Anyway, most people would not believe that T and I live 20 minutes from each other and only physically see each other once a year. Sometimes it is longer than that. We keep in touch through texts. Y’all, I am so happy texting was invented. For real! However, unlike my other friends, T texts me daily. Every morning she texts me a scripture from the Bible, and sometimes she includes inspirational messages. Now, I am not going to lie, I am not that consistent. I might text her something once or twice a week. But she ALWAYS sends me something inspirational, daily.

This morning, she sent the text in the picture along with a scripture. When God placed us together 20 years ago, He knew we would still be friends today. Forever grateful to have her in my life.

Shaun