Life

God Will Restore Everything You Lost

Reading through past journal entries from this date and came across an excerpt I wanted to share.

In 2020, right before the nation shutdown, I was in the process of closing on my house. This would be the first house I purchased on my own. You see, in 2015, when my ex-husband and I separated, I had to let the house go into foreclosure. I did everything I could to hold on to that house because 1) I didn’t believe I would ever be able to purchase one on my own and 2) my son loved that house. Well, five years later, I purchased my first home. Here’s what I wrote on March 7, 2020.

God is doing so much at the moment. It all amazes me. He keeps reminding me of what He said in 2014. “No one can receive your blessings like you. They won’t understand the praise behind the blessings. But God!” I’m so grateful. This is mine. It’s true that God will restore everything you’ve lost with better. I was looking at my bathroom the other day and thinking how it’s the same color as the one in the [foreclosed house]. But it’s the remodeled version of what I imagined the other could be. It’s a lot. And I’m grateful.

Of course this isn’t my forever home, but it’s mine. Every day I thank God for restoring what I lost. This is only one example of God’s restoration. He’s restored so much more and He’s still restoring. Listen, when God asks you to let go of something, stop trying to hold on to it, let it go. He will always restore what you believe you’re losing with better.

Thanks for reading. Praying you enjoy your week!

Life

Hello Sunday

Hello Sunday

“Learning to relax and accept things until God moves.”
Journal Entry- March 6, 2019

Today…

“Learning to relax and accept things as God moves.”

In 2019, I was waiting. Today, I’m no longer sitting and waiting. I’m moving with God. And what a world of difference it’s made! I’m blessed.

Praying that you enjoy your Sunday. Have a blessed week.

Shaun

Life

Change Begins with Me

I am the change that I seek because change begins with me. (Smile & repeat)

That was my social media post for the day. Even though I’ve heard the quote, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” hundreds of times, this morning it dawned on me that this should be something I practice in everyday situations. In the past, whenever I heard the quote it was always in reference to community and global change. Never once did I think of applying it to situations closest to me. As we all know, we cannot change others; however, we can change the way we respond to their actions. I believe that we have the power to create the atmosphere and spaces we desire. I know this will not work in all situations but it’s worth a try. Peace is what I seek and it must begin with me.

Enjoy your weekend! ~ Shaun

Life

Just Believe

With God ALL things are possible. Just believe. Enjoy your weekend! ~ Shaun

Believe
Life

You Are Rare

Another level of freedom is truly understanding and accepting that you are rare. There’s no other like you. NO ONE can fulfill your purpose but YOU. Embrace your uniqueness, flaws and all. ~ Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

I’m just going to jump right in. A few days ago, after reviewing several pictures I had taken with a guest speaker at an event, I began criticizing my appearance. Y’all, it was like I couldn’t stop.

Transparent Moment:

I rarely take full body pictures because 1) I do not know how to pose (y’all my poses are terrible 😂) and 2) I’m not comfortable with my weight. So after taking the pictures the guest speaker, I began to openly critique every photo – I looked too fat, too short, the camera wasn’t positioned right, needed a better camera (HA.. there’s absolutely nothing wrong with mine). Y’all, I was on a roll. Couldn’t stop myself. The criticism was flowing like running water. Sadly, it wasn’t until I got in the car that I realized what I had done. Ouch! Up until that moment, I never realized how much I criticized myself. And to do it in public was completely embarrassing! It’s one thing to do it at home (which is still wrong) and another to do it in public. As I sat in my car tearing up, I promised myself that I would never criticize myself in public again. I can only imagine the impression I left. Sigh

Here’s a full body picture from another day. I’m learning that the only way I can fully embrace myself, as well as become more confident, is to stop hiding what I consider flaws and imperfections. And the negative self talk has to go, TODAY! How can I promote self-love if I’m not truly embracing all of me?

For me, there’s something so cathartic about releasing issues into the atmosphere. Once out, I imagine the words braking into fragments until they become tiny particles floating away into the universe. Release & Breathe

Thank you for reading! Praying you have a wonderful week.

Shaun

Life

In the Morning

Happy Monday! Not sure why I fell asleep with Cry On by Commissioned stuck in my head. Then woke up with Ain’t No Need to Worry by The Winans and Anita Baker playing over and over in my head. I shared both songs on social media. The first one last night and the latter, this morning. Both songs imply that problems, heartaches, disappointments and pain are only temporary. That if we would just hold on, it would all be over in the morning. Honestly, it’s hard to believe the pain will ever subside, especially while we’re deep in it. However, over time, the pain eases and life gets better. Please, hold on!

Sending prayers and love to those who need it. 🙏🏽♥️ ~ Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Celebrating the Final Sunday of Heart Month

Overall, this month has been pretty good! I am excited to announce that I have adopted a new favorite pastime – Drawing!

I have always loved art and spent countless hours drawing as a child (no cable television– lol). While in middle school I took art classes as electives but wasn’t really serious about it. In adulthood, I have spent years admiring others’ work while secretly wishing I could tap into my artistic side again. Well, as the saying goes, “There’s nothing to it but to do it.” Smile.

So that’s exactly what I am doing. I am drawing again! Every day I draw something. Anything. The finished product doesn’t have to be perfect, look good or even be recognizable, as long as I am drawing something. My intention is to become a better drawer/artist over the next year with the ultimate goal of one day becoming an renowned artist. Lately, I have been thinking a lot about legacy and what I want to be known for. Well, besides love, kindness, compassion and being an overall good person, I want to be known for my writings, quotes and artwork. If you have been following my blog over the past month, then you have seen some of my work. I am calling my collection Shaun’s Smile because it’s what makes me smile. Feel free to follow me on Twitter: Shaun’s Smile or Instagram: It’s Shaun’s World to view more of my work.

I used the following drawings with my quotes. Enjoy! ~ Shaun

Life

Serenity

Serenity is a space where only you and God exist. It’s where you experience ultimate peace of mind. ~ Shaun