Tag: God’s plan

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Sometimes we win. Other times we lose.

Sometimes we seize great opportunities. Other times we don’t.

Question

How do you cope – or attempt to cope – when things don’t go as planned? You know, after you have experienced a loss or have been disappointed?

Here’s what I wrote on this date in 2018. It was in response to the following quote — “Things didn’t work out [loss, disappointment, setback] because better things are in the works.”

Facebook Memory: December 18, 2018

Good Morning! We’re two weeks away from 2019!! Can you believe how fast this year passed? It’s crazy! Here’s today’s social media find. I know you may have set goals for this year that didn’t happen. You had it all played out in your mind how this year was going to be “Your Year!” And you feel like it was everything but your year (believe me, I know the feeling). However, from years of experiencing God’s love, mercy and grace, you KNOW better is coming! Things didn’t work out because they weren’t supposed to. Whatever’s coming is going to blow your mind! Y’all know how God loves to show out!!😉💃🏽💃🏽 Here’s the thing, you cannot settle when you’re feeling down. You cannot stop believing because you don’t see anything happening. You must continue to push forward! Y’all, the best God has is on it’s way! Don’t give up!!

I like how I wrote–

“Things didn’t work out because they weren’t supposed to. Whatever’s coming is going to blow your mind!”

Looking back, I am pretty sure I was trying to encourage myself after what I considered a loss or disappointment. Transparent moment: This is one of my ways of coping. It’s how I remain hopeful.

Did it work?

Does it work?

ABSOLUTELY!

Although we still have two weeks left, I am exiting 2022 knowing that some things did not go as planned because they just were not meant to.

AND…

I’m entering 2023 KNOWING (had to make that BOLD because I’m feeling it) better is coming! Amen

Y’all, I am truly thankful for God’s love, mercy and grace. I thank Him for holding me up when I just knew I would fall. I thank Him for holding my heart together when I thought it was shattering. I thank Him for walking with me while I was afraid. I thank Him for encouraging me and restoring my hope, daily. We all know life is not easy. Y’all, I am beyond grateful God is in this thing with me. I’m Blessed

Only two weeks left in 2022! I pray you had an overall amazing year!♥️

Shaun

Life

December 12th

Shaun Bradford

After doing a Christmas light tour in New Orleans City Park – which had me feeling like Princess Tiana – and watching Volume One of Harry and Meghan on Netflix this weekend; then, reading last year’s blog, I’m feeling all warm and fuzzy. Y’all, I’m actually ready to try this love thing again. I’m ready to have my dreams come to fruition.

Most of my childhood I heard I needed to get my head out of the clouds. That what I wanted wasn’t possible, wasn’t real (still hear the same thing today). I was 18 years old when my belief took its first hit. Yes, at 18 I still believed I could have whatever I dreamed. NO ONE could convince me otherwise. Then, with every hit afterwards – disappointment in myself, heartbreak, mistake – the less I believed.

Y’all, I needed to see this blog today. I needed to be reminded that my dreams do matter. Yesterday, Pastor Michael Phillips said whatever we had given up on was still possible. And I believe him. All of my dreams are still possible!

The statement that I refer to from December 12, 2014 (blog below) makes me smile. No one was going to rescue Shaun but Shaun. Looking back, I needed to go through the entire experience alone. Believe me, I didn’t want to, but I had to. It was the only way I could find my way back to me, which is who I began searching for eight years ago (story for another time). This time I know what I want and I know that I don’t have to settle – not just with love but with all aspects of my life. Smiling

December 12, 2021– Written after reading Will Smith’s memoir, WILL.

There is no way I can go into another relationship broken. I must realize there is no knight in shining armor to rescue me from myself.

JOURNAL ENTRY, DECEMBER 12, 2014

Hello Sunday December 12, 2021

Last year’s blog is sooo worth the read: Hello Sunday December 12, 2021.

Enjoy!

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Y’all, it’s December! Can you believe there are only three Sundays left in 2022? Also.. this is the final December of my 40s. Yes, this decade is almost over. Y’all, in several months I will be half a century. Woohoo!! Doesn’t that just sound grand! Smiling

Anyhoo.. this morning I have two things on my mind– 1) Coach Prime (Deion Sanders) leaving Jackson State University and 2) two of my top fives (Michelle Obama #4 and Tyler Perry #5) hanging together this weekend. Both have me thinking about God, faith and life, and how things don’t always work out how you planned. However, they always work out according to God’s plan. Here’s what I mean. I’ll start with Coach Prime —

According to Coach Prime, he took the job at Jackson State University (JSU) because he was following God’s lead– this was three years ago. Last night, he announced that he was taking the head coaching position at the University of Colorado, again following God’s lead. Although rumors were circulating about him leaving from the day he began coaching, he stayed. And during those three years he changed the entire atmosphere for Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), nationally. It was so amazing to watch! Y’all know I love watching God work. Smile. Not only did he change it for them but for Mississippians, as well. Listen, he made us proud to be Mississippians. He showed us that despite what outsiders believed, we are valued and invaluable. He did all of this while inspiring us to want more. He showed us that the top is obtainable. All we have to do is BELIEVE and put in the work! Honestly, I feel sorry for those who didn’t get it.

Last year, he had to have one or two toes amputated (something stemming from a prior surgery). While he was healing, he released a video thanking God for life. In the video he spoke about the enemy not wanting him to finish the job God had sent him to do, which was his primary focus– his purpose. Now, I don’t know what everyone else heard– loyalty, commitment and wins for JSU; but what I heard was loyalty, commitment and wins for God.

Now, for those who have seen Deion Sanders in action, we know he has a very big personality and a HUGE ego. Always has. Laughing. But from what I’ve seen, he’s used them to benefit others. Now it’s time for him to move on and help more people. All I have to say is this– because I’ve personally witnessed it many times during my work with communities– when you encounter someone who has a vested interest in your growth and wellbeing, glean from them. Do not stand by and watch them work and marvel at their success. Join in! Listen, life happens and obligations change, as does assignments. When a person’s time is up, they have to move on. To guilt trip them into staying is not good for either party.

I believe Coach Prime left a playbook not only for JSU but for other HBCUs. I just hope that while they were criticizing his work they were also taking note so that the work continues. Okay.. I’ve said what I’ve said, now let me move on. Wishing Coach Prime and everyone who’s taken the time to glean from him, the best. Yes, it always hurts when someone good has to leave, but if you really believed in what they were doing, you honor them by continuing what they began.

So, since I wrote so much about Coach Prime, I won’t keep you long gushing about my #4 and #5. I just love them! As in 2014, my #1 (Leah Chase) and #2 (Marcus Samuelsson) were at the same place at the same time, and I got to see them together. Y’all, I was on cloud nine! Well, that was then. This time things didn’t work out the same. Although I tried multiple times to make it to Atlanta to see Mrs. Obama and Tyler, every plan fell through. I guess you could say I should be thankful. Little did I know that I would be sick and wouldn’t have been able to attend or enjoy myself anyway. But God knew. Yes, I was a little disappointed, but it was for the best. With that said, y’all, I am so thankful for social media. I may not have been able to be there in person; however, I could feel their energy through their videos and it felt so wonderful! Smiling. I know God’s got me. There will be other opportunities because I’m blessed like that. Smile

Well, this is all I have for you today. Praying you have a wonderful Sunday and fabulous week!

Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

It’s Wednesday! The day after elections. Usually, the day afterwards, I feel somewhat confused, and today is no different. Y’all, I’m always stunned by the number of people who continue to vote for egotistical, self-centered people who are only concerned with winning and fulfilling their own needs. It’s so obvious that they care nothing for the voters. Not even the ones they claim to be protecting from the “woke” people. If they truly cared, they would support legislation and causes that would create a better world and environment for everyone. Equity…

I was going to go into details about some of the races (specifically the Senate race in Georgia), but I’ll let it rest. All I’m going to say is, that race should not have been that close. Who would, in good conscience, vote for anyone who would never be able to make effective decisions? Sadly, Georgia isn’t the only state that voted this way.

Enough about the foolishness…

The highlight of the night was not a win, but a beautifully delivered concedence speech by Stacey Abrams, Georgia’s gubernatorial candidate. Y’all, Stacey is not finished. I know they thought last night’s results would take her out the game. Nah.. this loss just gave her more momentum. She’s on fire! And the fire she’s ignited in Georgia is about to spread like wildfire to surrounding states. Yes.. this is ONLY the beginning. Stacey is a change agent.

Listen, last night, while watching her speech, all I could think was – “Stacey Abrams for President.” Y’all, God has so much more in store for her. As I said, this is only the beginning. Smiling

Y’all have a blessed Wednesday!

Shaun