hope

31 Years Ago

Shaun Bradford

Today is my daughter’s 31st birthday!🎉🎉🎉

Last week, I shared with her several entries from a “baby” journal I kept during my pregnancy. I started it when I first learned I was pregnant and continued writing for several weeks after her birth. Although it was meant to be her baby journal, it ended up being anything but that. When I tell you I wrote everything down—Everything! Let’s just say she has a book of stories that will probably keep her entertained for ages.

Here’s what I wrote on the day of her birth:

I wrote her a note almost every day. She was my little unborn companion.♥️

Y’all, I still can’t believe I am a mother. We FaceTimed earlier, and before we ended the call, she reminded me to celebrate the day as well. She said today can be my “birthing” day. I just love her!🥰

hope

Safe In His Arms

Shaun Bradford

Up early singing “Safe In His Arms” by Reverend Milton Brunson’s Thompson Community Singers (Lyrics by World Music, LLC, Curb Word Music). The song says—

Because the Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need. He lets me rest in the meadow’s grass and He leads me beside the quiet streams. He restoreth my failing health, and He helps me to do what honors Him the most. That’s why I’m safe. That’s why I’m safe. That’s why I’m safe. Safe in His arms. When the storms of life are raging and the billows roll I’m glad He shall hide me. Safe in His arms.

I don’t know about you, but in God’s arms is where I want to be and where I want to stay. I know it doesn’t mean that the storms of life won’t come, but I find solace in knowing He’ll always be with me—through the calm and the storms.

My go to chapter—yes, the entire chapter—when I’m feeling uneasy is Psalm 23. I can recite it by heart because I heard it daily as a little girl. It’s the chapter my great, great grandmother, Madear, used to read every morning when she woke up. Like clockwork, as soon as she got out of bed, she knelt and said a prayer, then opened this gigantic white Bible with gold letters and read Psalm 23 aloud. I never saw her read any other chapter, nor did I ever remember her going to church, but she always honored God in the mornings before she did anything else. Always.

Psalm 23
1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Nowadays, it seems like the storms are never-ending. Chaos is everywhere, and peace seems like a fantasy. But God is still here. He’s here with us. I pray that you find peace and comfort in Him as I’m attempting to. It’s not always easy, but the more I focus on Him, the more peaceful my world becomes.

I pray you have a beautifully blessed day. Take a break from the noise and sit in God’s presence.♥️

I love you,

Shaun