Tag: freedom

hope

In A State Of Praise and Gratitude

Shaun Bradford

When I created this blog site, I created it with the intent of sharing a bit of my world with the world. Well, most of my world is my relationship with God. Y’all, I’m still on that note and the past 10 years. When I tell you my life has drastically changed. I used to wonder why people told the same story about overcoming hardships over and over again. They say it’s good for business, and is. However, I see mine a little differently. To me, it’s my opportunity to acknowledge and praise the greatness of God. Y’all, His grace and love are unmatched.

After I shared my last post, I realized those 10 years were so much more than my obedience. They were about me rekindling my relationship with God. A relationship I began at eight years old, and one that I took very seriously when I became a teenager. Then, after I thought I had let God down, it began to fall apart. I was so ashamed of myself for not resisting temptation. Honestly, I’m not sure why I thought I had to be a perfect Christian. It’s funny how I gave grace to everyone else except myself. Then, when life happened to me, I didn’t give it to myself. I always reference my marriage because it was during that time when my relationship with God basically ended (nothing to do with my ex, I actually hindered his worship). Now, don’t get me wrong, I knew God was still God, but I felt like I had lost all privileges to communicate with Him. I knew I had entered something sacred and knew I shouldn’t have. I was just so disappointed with my life and God not stopping me from making the first mistake I made. I mean, He was God, right? So, why didn’t He stop me?! Y’all, I’m just being completely honest and transparent about how I felt. It wasn’t until much later, during that four year long divorce process, that I realized I had been punishing myself for years. Those crazy decisions I made were punishment because I felt I did not deserve better. And y’all, all that time God was loving me.

So, when I say that things make me a bit emotional, or I am forever praising God for one thing or another, it’s because I am no longer in that bondage I had created for myself. Y’all, I’m actually free!!

All praises to God!

Okay, this time I’m done for real. Just had to share my testimony. Listen, there’s nothing like being mentally and spiritually free.

God is so good!♥️

Shaun

hope

Discernment – Are You Using It?

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning! Today’s Facebook memory is a great reminder to use discernment when making decisions. Especially when making decisions that are potentially life changing. Here’s what I shared two years ago.

Facebook Memory: September 6, 2022

Discernment– the ability to judge well: the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure.

God has given each of us the ability to discern whether or not something is in our best interest. If it’s not, let it go. If it is, embrace it. Discernment is one of our superpowers. Be sure to use it.♥️

That’s it for now. Remember, God has given us all the power of discernment. Let’s use it. Our purposes are too great for us not to.

Love ya.♥️

Shaun

hope

Feeling Free

Shaun Bradford

Welcome back!

♥️

Y’all, there is no greater feeling than the freedom to be. The freedom to just be me.

Thinking about how I woke up this morning and shared my random song. That was me just being me. Me loving life without feeling awkward or wondering what others would think or say.

This wasn’t always the case.

When I tell you I am so in awe of how my life has changed. One thought/request for this side of 50 to be different and it happened.

God is so amazing.

Loving the freedom to just be me.♥️

Shaun

Life

It’s Time To Live

Shaun Bradford

Was looking back through my Facebook memories a little while ago. I try not to spend so much time in the past, but that’s where I find a lot of my answers. Saw the following memory this morning, but didn’t pay much attention to it. However, this evening, it caught my eye.

April 18, 2019

As you can see, I had one of my “Aha” moments. This was when I realized I had been making decisions based on pivotal moments in my life.

It was in April of 1994 that I had decided to make a few life changes. Little did I know, life was about to change me. I’ll say it was around this time in April that I had received orders (a new military assignment) to go to Florida. I was about to leave Germany and my trifling boyfriend. Already had in my mind how I was going to be FREE! We had just broken up and I felt like I finally had a handle on life. Well, by the end of the month, and I know the exact date, I was back with him.

Long story, short… I really need to write a book. Maybe in my 80’s or 90’s. That night will forever be etched in my memory. It’s the night he told me he was going to give me what I wanted…a baby. I laughed it off. For over a year I had wanted to be pregnant, but it never happened. Yeah… I was young and naive, but I really wanted a baby. I wanted someone who would love me unconditionally—and she actually does (my blessing🥰).

Six weeks later, I went to the doctor’s office for one thing and left with what seemed to be the worst news of my life, I was pregnant. Y’all, I had already made up my mind that I was moving on. Then…BAM!!

From that day on, even until recently, most decisions I have made have been somewhat based on what happened for me—no longer going to use “to me”—during that time. My baby became my priority. She became my life. Then the divorce happened, and she and my son became my life. Every decision I have made has been somewhat based on them. They have been trying to get me to enjoy life for myself, but I have been hesitant. Honestly, I am not really sure how to live as a single person. However, I believe it is finally time that I learned.♥️

This is Year50…

Shaun

Life

Hmm… Is This True?

Shaun Bradford

Do you believe we attract what we are ready for?

Here’s what I wrote two years ago.

Facebook Memory: February 21, 2022

I believe the following quote to be true. Whether it’s opportunities or relationships, we will always attract what we’re ready for. Now, how we handle those opportunities and relationships is solely up to us. The choice is ours.

I still believe it to be true. We do attract what we are ready for. However, I think the most important part of what I wrote was, “How we handle those opportunities and relationships is solely up to us. The choice is ours.”

Oh the freedom of choice! My prayer for this side of 50 is that I make wiser choices when opportunities present themselves. I am determined to live the next 50 years differently.🙏🏽

Shaun