Life

The Encourager

Shaun Bradford

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.♥️

I am my Momma’s dream. Forever blessed.
Life

Day 2… Part 2

Shaun Bradford

Listen, when I tell you God just won’t let me stay down. Not even for a few minutes! As soon as I posted my last blog, He started working. I have to testify in real time because He works in REAL TIME! Y’all, He’s just that good!!

As I have mentioned before, God always sends exactly what I need when I need it. Here’s one example. It’s a YouTube message by Dharius Daniels, I Think I’m About to Break. Didn’t want to listen to it. Wanted to wallow in my feelings for a minute, but God wouldn’t allow it! I am so thankful I was obedient. This was exactly what I needed. WHEW!!

When I tell you God absolutely loves me… BELIEVE IT!!!

Blessed.♥️

Life

Day 2…

Shaun Bradford

Not even sure what to write. Not even sure if I want to write or draw anymore or pursue any of the things I thought were so important. Today, I feel lost and confused. I say it all the time, there is just something about death that makes me rethink my life and dreams. At the moment, none of my dreams or goals matter. As my sister said, we wanted so much for Momma. Although each one of us imagined a different life for her, she said that she had accomplished everything she set out to and was at peace. But we all know that wasn’t entirely true. She shared her dreams with us and so many did not happen.

So, today, I sit here wondering if all of my efforts are a waste of time. Should I just be? Are my dreams and aspirations unrealistic? Today, all optimism is gone. I have none. Whatever God decides for my life, I will not question. I respect Him too much to question what He has planned. I am simply going to go with the flow. I am so tired of putting in the work and being nudged to work harder and harder. For what? Yeah… I’m tired. It’s funny how as much as I want to hide and not do anything, I keep doing things. Like me writing this blog because I don’t want to mess up my blogging streak. Shaking my head.

Life is so complex.