Tag: God

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

I say this so often that it may appear to be a cliche; but y’all, I love the way God loves me. One day I will have to write a book about God’s greatness in my life. The way events occur in my life is quite interesting and seemingly implausible; but as they say, I have receipts.

I have thousands of journal entries – 30 plus years of entries – that document God’s goodness, grace, mercy and unconditional love in my life. Y’all, no matter how many times I have – been disobedient, done things on my own, self-sabotaged opportunities, and doubted His words – He has always picked me up, brushed me off, dried my tears, made me smile and gave me another chance to do and be better.

Yes, one day I will write a book… or several.

Y’all, I have discovered it’s not the big, glorious things that make life so interesting. It’s the small things leading to the big ones that are so remarkable and rewarding!

I pray you have a beautiful week. Be mindful of the small blessings that come your way. I believe they are God’s way of expressing His love for us, which is so often overlooked.

Be Blessed

Shaun

Yesterday I received a last minute invite to a rodeo. Friday night’s meltdown became Saturday’s smile. This is only one example of how God expresses His love for me.♥️
Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Today’s blog is dedicated to James Earl Carter, Jr., also known as our former President, Jimmy Carter.♥️

Yesterday, my heart sank as I read the following statement from The Carter Center –

“After a series of short hospital stays, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter today decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention. He has the full support of his family and his medical team. The Carter family asks for privacy during this time and is grateful for the concern shown by his many admirers.”

Why did I immediately want to ask if I could also be by his side. If I could also care for him until he leaves us. Sounds weird, huh?

Y’all, he was my President. My first political memories were during his run for reelection against Ronald Reagan. I was just a little girl when he lost the race and vividly remember myself sitting in front of the tv crying my eyes out. He was my President.

I guess what I loved about him was everything many hated. He was soft spoken. He actually had compassion for humanity and expressed it, which was viewed by some as a sign of weakness. And lastly, he was from the South. I loved his southern drawl.

For me, President Carter represented kindness, hope and the possibility of a beautiful, peaceful and kind world. He was my hero! If you have not read any of my blogs about my favorite childhood song, well, it was, “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony).” I am pretty sure it was Coca Cola’s adaptation of the song that I fell in love with, but either way, it became my theme song. I was dead set on making this world a better place.

Side note: Had to add this while I’m thinking about it. I also wanted “Chariots of Fire,” to be played at my wedding. Y’all, what was wrong with me?! Laughing. I was so into my own little world. Guess nothing’s really changed, huh? Smiling

Anyhoo… back to President Carter. I have watched him over the years remain humble and give to those less fortunate. I really wish that I could sit with him just to show my appreciation for everything he’s done and given.

What’s so ironic is, Friday I signed up to volunteer for a local hospice care center. I may not be able to be by his side before he leaves us, but I can be by someone else’s. A piece of his legacy will always live on through me through my service to others.

President Carter is a true servant leader and his presence and impact on the world will be greatly missed.

Sending him and his family prayers and love.♥️

Shaun

Life

Trust God and Make the Move

Shaun Bradford

You do not have to see the entire picture before making a move. Just make the move and trust God to guide you through the unknown.♥️

This past decade has been filled with visions, ideas and dreams. I have never experienced such strong desires to achieve so many things all at once. It’s as if everything I ever imagined from childhood until 40 all bombarded me without warning. Y’all, feeling overwhelmed is definitely an understatement!

Then, when I thought I had a grip on everything, I decided to be bold and take a blind leap not knowing where I would land or if I would land. Honestly, I am not sure if I am even meant to land. Seems as if I have been floating, going with the flow of wherever God’s taking me. I listen and do. I am not going to lie, it is scary at times. But I am always reminded that God has not left me yet. He’s been with me every step of the way making sure I am well protected, loved and provided for. Y’all, I am truly blessed.

Continuing to trust God to lead even when I cannot see the entire picture.
Life

Balance

Shaun Bradford

Our life needs balance. There is no way we can truly live our best lives without it.

Yesterday, a friend of mine shared her personal journey with being self-disciplined. How at one point she was so disciplined that it became unhealthy. If you read either of yesterday’s blogs, that’s exactly what was happening with me. Now, I wasn’t as disciplined as her, but I was on my way there. For the longest, I have been trying to force myself to stay focused on my work by eliminating “distractions.” However, all I was doing was making myself sick. I cannot eliminate things from my life that actually bring we joy. I just can’t. So I have to find a way to balance it all.

Y’all have a blessed day.♥️ ~ Shaun