Tag: blessings

hope

April Is Here

Shaun Bradford

This morning, I thought I’d share a few of my Facebook memories with you. I’ll start with the oldest and work my way up.

April 1, 2011

I miss being in the Air Force and the Air National Guard. I did half of my time in one and the rest in the other. Enjoyed them both. I still don’t like wearing stud earrings. That’s why you’ll always see me in hoops. I also don’t miss the steel-toed boots. However, I do miss my Air Force family. I mistakenly tried to treat my civilian job and colleagues like family and quickly realized they were not the same. I miss watching and hearing the planes take off. I worked in Airfield Management, which meant we managed everything on the airfield. I loved watching the fighter jets take off at the break of dawn. Talk about beautiful! And I loved hearing the big-body aircraft take off. Soooo powerful! It’s fascinating how something so big can stay in the air. And the aircrews! I had to brief them before their flights. Y’all, I got to meet pilots from all over the world and astronauts! I still can’t believe that I walked into the recruiter’s office on an April afternoon and committed to serve. Wasn’t afraid at all. Never had second thoughts. I just did it, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. Seems like a lifetime ago!☺️

April 1, 2021

This is a message from my momma. When I first read it, I read it from the point of four years ago. Then, I read it as if she tagged me in the post today. Today, I’m saying, “Father, thank You that You’re taking me where I couldn’t go on my own.” Amen. I have absolutely no idea where God is taking me, but I trust Him. I know He’s got me.🙏🏽

April 1, 2023

I must keep shining! God has blessed me with an AMAZING life. There’s absolutely no reason for me not to. I am truly, truly blessed! I can hear Janet Jackson singing, “I’ve seen the world, been to many places…” And I have. I am beyond blessed.

I pray you have a blessed, peaceful, and prosperous month. May your April be filled with lots of love and joy. You deserve it!♥️

Love you much,

Shaun

hope

Lord, Guide Me

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

Ten years ago, I ended my journal entry with, “Lord, please guide me.”

Ten years ago, my entire world changed. During the final days of March 2015, I experienced my greatest heartbreak but also my greatest relief. My ex-husband had finally moved out. That was the relief. However, the greatest heartbreak came from those I always thought would have my back but instead turned their backs on me.

Y’all, it’s been a very long ten years. Not only did I have to rebuild a life for me and my two (my hearts and rocks!), but I had to rebuild relationships. I’m not going to go into details, but just know that when I say I made it, believe me—I MADE IT!!!

I am forever indebted to God. I know I wouldn’t be here had it not been for Him. I am so grateful for His love, mercy, grace, kindness, patience and GUIDANCE. I asked for His guidance, and He answered.

Today, I’m celebrating.

Yes, I’m celebrating!

I made it!!🎉

Thank you so much for your love and continued support. I pray you have a beautifully, blessed day!♥️

I love you,

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 78

Shaun Bradford

For the past two days I have been seeing and hearing the message—“Be still.”

Honestly, I didn’t think that I was moving at all. I’ve been feeling like I haven’t been moving or doing enough. You know how you get the feeling that you should be further along than you are, the feeling of being behind? Well, that’s exactly what I’ve been feeling lately.

A few minutes ago, I revisited my Facebook memories and found the same message tucked away within another message. Earlier, I only noticed “Finding Balance.” However, this time, I noticed the hashtag “Be Still.”

Being obedient.

I’m listening, God.🙏🏽

Shaun

hope

The PASSION

Shaun Bradford

I can’t believe it’s been nine years since I went to see The PASSION Live!

Seems like it was only a few years ago, not almost ten. Wow!

Y’all, how it happened was how so many things have happened in my life. I have a random wish—“I wish I could…”—and it happens. A few days before I went to the event, I saw something on Twitter about it happening in New Orleans—which is basically down the highway from me. At that moment, I thought, “I wish I could go see it.” Not lying… not even a day later, I saw that free tickets were available, and I got one! The rest is history! It was an awesome experience, but it was SO COLD that day.🥶

Wonderful memory!♥️

Shaun

hope

Treasure Your Gifts

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

Treasure your gifts. Not gifts, as in talents, but the gifts—the people—God has placed in your life. They are irreplaceable and one of a kind. Whether for a season or a lifetime, God placed them in your life for a specific purpose that only they can fulfill. Never take them for granted. Life is much too short and precious not to treasure them.

As I mentioned last night, I was with my two hearts (daughter, 30, and son, 21). Words can’t even begin to describe the way I feel about them. As a child, I always longed to feel loved unconditionally and accepted for me. One of the things we talked about last night was me always dancing to the beat of my own drum. I never quite fit in, even when it came to my own family. I thought and moved differently. Not so differently that I didn’t blend in, but different enough to know I didn’t fit. Well, here I am 30 years later with two adult children, and I finally feel the love and acceptance I longed for. They’re not cookie cutters of me. As we often joke, we couldn’t be more different, but we’re so much alike. All three of us dance to our own beat, and we don’t judge. We embrace each other’s uniqueness.

Y’all, they are my gifts.🥰🥰

This was taken in January during my daughter’s 30th birthday weekend.

On another note—I know I never mentioned anything else about celebrating the 30–year breakthrough or rebirth I was experiencing leading up to my daughter’s birthday. I intentionally stopped celebrating when I noticed she had made her celebration mine. I explained to her that I had already lived and celebrated my 30th; the weekend and occasion were all hers. And we celebrated her! Yes, her birthday felt like a great release for me. I finally felt free to release myself from being a mother, provider, and caregiver to being me—a woman taking care of me.🦋

I pray you are treasuring your gifts. Also remember this too—something that took me far too long to realize—YOU are also a gift. Yes…YOU!

Have a beautifully, blessed day.♥️

I love you always,

Shaun