hope

My Journey With God, No. 60

This morning’s message from God to me was Joel Osteen’s “Unconditional Trust,” originally shared on March 26, 2017. Before watching the video, I was led to look and see what I had written in my journal or saved in my photos on that date. I discovered that on that date, I was preparing for our annual state dietetics meeting. I was the president of our association that year. Also on that date, I referenced the date March 26, 2015—the day I learned I would be the president-elect for 2015-2016.

Whew! Talk about a full-circle moment.

Now, here I am again, president–elect of the same state association. Didn’t know it was even possible. I had written off this path of my journey as lessons learned. Thought that was how God would use it. Yet, here I am again.

I needed Pastor Osteen’s word. I don’t always understand… correction… I never understand what God is doing until after it’s done. However, I am learning to trust Him unconditionally. Who knew I’d be in this position again? What’s great about this time around is that I am not starting from scratch. I’m starting with more knowledge and experience.

Side Note: I just want to give you a glimpse of what’s so mind-boggling to me, what I have been trying to grasp. In 2016 (the year of my presidency), Donald Trump won his first presidential election. Now here are again, at the beginning of his second term. You see what I mean about a full-circle moment. Definitely not a coincidence. And y’all know I live in Mississippi, right? Times were interesting then. Not sure how interesting they’ll be this time. Again, not starting from scratch but with more experience and knowledge. I’m forever asking, “God, what are You doing?” Lol! When I say God has a sense of humor, this is what I’m speaking of. Gotta laugh.

This journey is definitely not for the weak.♥️ ~Shaun

P.S. There’s a little lagniappe at the end of Joel Osteen’s video. Fast forward about 20 minutes and you’ll see it. When I tell you God is sooooo good! So very good. I just love the way He loves me. Beyond Blessed.🥰

Unconditional Trust” by Pastor Joel Osteen
hope

My Journey With God, No. 59

I debated whether or not to share my interview that aired during last night’s local news because my journey to where I want to be is still a work in progress. Then, while trying to find something to share for my afternoon post, I heard to check the photos I had saved on this date. Y’all, when I tell you God forever amazes me! I wasn’t expecting to find a TikTok video I made three years ago. I don’t even have access to that TikTok account anymore. I lost access about two years ago when I couldn’t remember my password or the email address I used to set it up. So, finding this video today lets me know it’s okay to share the one from last night.

Here’s what I shared on February 8, 2022.


Yesterday, I had the pleasure of reading a book to two different groups during “Storytime with a Soldier,”—a monthly event hosted by the African American Military History Museum here in Hattiesburg. The first group included pre-K children, and the other included adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Well, the local news station decided to attend the event and they wanted to interview me. Y’all, I really hate being on camera. And I guess from the look on my face, the journalist knew it too because he asked if I was okay with being on camera, and I said “no,” but I’d do the interview anyway. And I did. I actually did two impromptu interviews yesterday. Yayyy, Me!!🎉

Here is the link to last night’s interview: “Storytime with a Soldier

I once said I felt like the purpose of this blog space, “It’s Shaun’s World,” was to share my testimonies in real time, and that’s exactly what I have been doing. When I tell you life is funny and God has a sense of humor. I can’t help but laugh while watching Him with amazement. In the video from 2022, I said I was preparing to be on camera. Did I believe it would actually happen?! No! At least not without me being prepared for it.😂

Y’all, God is sooo smooth. Laughing because all this time I have been calling this my world when in reality, it’s actually His.☺️

My journey…♥️

hope

Worthy Of ALL Good Things

Good Morning☀️

In case you forgot, YOU are worthy of all—not some, but all—good things. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking certain good things are only reserved for certain people. However, that’s not true. As I mentioned yesterday in “Song of the Hour,” God deems us worthy even when we don’t believe we are worthy. Plus, we are His children—meaning we are worthy of all good things.

Listen, never sell yourself short. If you’re doing it, STOP! Please, know that YOU, yes…YOU are worthy of ALL good things!♥️

Love you much,

Shaun

Originally shared on February 8, 2024.
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You Are Not Alone

During this time of uncertainty, we must remember that we are not alone. WE are in this together.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

When I originally shared this as an IG story, I shared it with Michael Jackson’s song, “You Are Not Alone.” I can’t believe Michael and Lisa Marie are both gone.😔
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Focus On What You Have

A few days ago, God had to remind me once again to stay focused on what I already have, not what I don’t have or believe I need. If you have been following me for a few years, you’ll know I am forever doing something new. This week, God reminded me of all the “new” things I had created and needed to revisit. One was my culinary nutrition project/venture. The last time I had been actively creating in that space was in 2023.

While downloading videos from TikTok, I came across videos I had shared on August 24, 2022 (this date is significant) about my frustration with trying to create a YouTube video. One was the before, and the other was the after. This led me to revisit that particular video. After I made it, I decided to unlist it after only a few days of it being public. For some reason, I hated that video. Well, after rewatching it the other day, I made it public again. Then, I shared it on my Facebook pages.

Y’all, it wasn’t until I shared it on another page this morning that I realized I created it on August 24, 2022. On the morning of August 27, 2022, my brother found my mom unconscious. She didn’t wake until almost a week later, with most of her hearing gone and no use of her right (dominant) arm. For those who don’t know, she suffered from paraplegia (at that time, 24 years). So, I had made plans to officially launch Nutrition with LaShaundreaB, and then had to pause everything to care for her—which I will never regret. Whew! So many memories of that time…

Anyway, I’m finally working on Nutrition with LaShaundreaB again. I’m focusing on what I already have. Here is the link to my once-hidden video. When I tell you the things I was so self-conscious about back then don’t bother me anymore. Baby, this is me! And I truly love ME!🥰 ~Shaun

I Am LaShaundreaB

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The Final Say

Good Morning☀️

God has the final say. Trust Him.🙏🏽


I pray your day is just as beautiful as you are!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Both Memories Are True

Good Morning☀️

I couldn’t decide on which Facebook memories to share so I decided to share both. They’re both true—

If something constantly disturbs your peace, joy, and happiness, you must—not maybe—let it go. Stress kills. Let it go! On the other hand, whatever brings you peace, joy, and happiness, keep those things close. They are your lifesavers.

Note the hashtag “Peace Over Pain.”


There is no truer statement than—“Your mind must arrive at the destination before your life does.” I had to see myself living the life I’m living now before I got here. Meaning, when I took the leap to bet on myself, I could actually feel and see myself living out my dreams. Before then, it was no more than a vision. Now, I am doing it! I’m nowhere near where I want to be, but I’m definitely living in my dreams.

Side note: I love how I wrote that in 2019, two years before I actually took the leap. I guess you could say that was the transition period of my vision becoming a reality.


This is all I have for you at the moment. I pray your week has started well. Wishing you a lovely day.♥️

hope

Smiling From Ear To Ear

Good Morning☀️

This morning I am smiling from ear to ear! Can’t you hear Beyoncé singing “Love On Top”? Well, I surely can. (Smile.)

Well… I’m not smiling because I finally got a man or won the lottery. Lol! Nope. I’m smiling because…….

Beyoncé won a Grammy for ALBUM OF THE YEAR!!!🌟🌟🌟

Aaaahhhhh!!!

Y’all, I can’t stop smiling!

Listen, this makes today’s Facebook memory even more special.

His timing is PERFECT!

Talk about beautiful. She waited patiently—for years. YEARS!!!

I am soooo happy for her!

Yesterday started off rough but ended up being a great day, and I intend to carry that same energy into today.

God is so good. I’m so very thankful He loves me.🙏🏽


I pray you have a wonderful day and a fabulously blessed week!♥️

Love you always,

Shaun

hope

Imagine BIGGER

Not sure where I found this image. I added the “NAH… GOD” part back in 2021.

You imagine BIG.

Then, you try to imagine BIGGER than that.

However, the real question is, “What does GOD consider BIGGER?”

Hmmm…

Because God’s idea of BIGGER is something I’m pretty sure we’ve never imagined.

Soooo…

What is BIGGER?

I guess only God knows.

And…

That’s when you say, “Blow my mind, God!”

Smile.♥️

Shaun

hope

God’s Gift

Good Morning!☀️

This morning’s message is another Hello Sunday. This one is from January 30, 2022.

Hello Sunday”– January 30, 2022 (shared in its entirety)

Today I would like to share some of my thoughts and feelings about where I’m at in this stage of life. Basically, I just need to write. 

This morning I came across another Facebook memory I shared two years ago. Here’s the quote:

Never allow waiting to become a habit. Live your dreams and take risks. Life is happening now. AUTHOR UNKNOWN 

Back then I was like, “Yeah! I’m not waiting for nothing or no one. I’m living my best life now!” Fast forward to today, this quote has me feeling some kind of way. Let me explain.

Transparent moment:

For a while now.. I guess you can say for months now.. I’ve been second and triple guessing my feelings. Even after a few sessions of therapy, my therapist says I’m fine. So why don’t I feel fine? 

Here’s what I’m feeling or have been feeling, and as strange as it may sound it kind of frightens me – calm, peaceful, relaxed, happy, and loved. Everything I’ve ever dreamed of and it frightens me. Sounds strange, doesn’t it? Like why does it frighten me so?

Okay.. back to the quote. When I shared it two years ago, I remember feeling like I really needed to enjoy the space I was in, needed to be more present. I remember constantly waiting for things to happen or trying to make things happen. I spent so much time doing both that I was only living my life in spurts and was always anxious. Now here I am two years later, very present and living in the moment, living the dream.

So why am I so perplexed about where I am in life? 

Well, since I was a teenager I have always said, and lived by this –“After I turn 50, I’m going to live my dream.” You see, the first 50 years were supposed to be my test and trial period. My period to make mistakes as well as make the amount of money needed to support and sustain my lifestyle for the next 50 years. And the next 50 were to be spent doing what I actually loved, which kind resembles what I’m doing now but without the millions of dollars I imagined. Yep.. I’ve had it all planned out for decades. Yeah.. planned. I have to laugh because according to my plan and timeline, I’m supposed to be working my butt off trying to figure out how I’m going to live and sustain my dream and I’m here living nonchalantly like 50 isn’t fast approaching. Guess you could say I’m still in the test and trial period so why am I worried. Well, I’ll be 49 this year and time is running out! 

Side Note – As I was writing, God reminded me of what I asked for. Last March, as I was sitting at my desk working my butt off, I looked out the window and saw this bird singing. At that moment, I told God I wanted to live as free as a bird, and as clear as day He told me I could. Three weeks later I resigned from my job. Ever since I’ve been living this carefree, basically, euphoric life. He gave me exactly what I asked for but for some reason I keep trying to find fault in it. Maybe, I don’t have to work my butt off trying to figure out how I’m going to support my dream. Maybe all I need to do is leave it in God’s hands while enjoy life.

Note – After I write this blog, I’m going to leave this matter alone because I get the feeling that I’m disrespecting God’s gift every time I bring this up. 

Y’all, I’m feeling much better now that I got that all out. Life is really good. Just had another “Aha!” moment. Have I been subconsciously searching for ways to self-sabotage my dream? Would I do that to myself? Hmm.. Something to really think about. 

Anyhoo.. thanks for reading and following my random thoughts. Sometimes I just need to get it all out into the universe. I’m so grateful for this space. God is so amazing!


As you can see, I wrote a lot that day. Today, I can say I’ve adjusted to the gift God’s granted me. I received it early (a couple of years before 50, which threw me for a loop) and, I’m not going to lie, it took me until sometime last year to fully embrace it—meaning not waiting until my life looked like what I envisioned but living and taking risks now.

Now, I’m moving on to the next phase of life after 50. Of course, I feel like the withdrawal from the World Health Organization has thrown a wrench in my plans to fulfill one of my lifelong dreams (as you can see, I said “my” plans). However, knowing God, like I know Him because of past experiences, He’s already in the works of making something I didn’t even consider happen. Y’all, God is so good at what He does and so unpredictably strategic—so I am going to leave that whole matter alone and relax and keep doing what I need to do until He tells me otherwise. He is in control, and I know He loves me and will never lead me wrong. Even though I don’t always understand what He’s doing, I trust Him.

Before I end, please keep those suffering right now in your prayers. Last night, when I made my “Prayers” post, I didn’t want to mention the plane collision because the news was too new. I didn’t want to be the one to share the news if everyone hadn’t heard about it. It was devastating for me and so many more. I can only imagine how their loved ones felt, especially if they saw it play out almost in real-time on X. It was a lot! So, please keep them and everyone else in need of prayers in your prayers—which is probably all of us, but some more than others.🙏🏽

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading. I know it was long. I truly do appreciate you. My prayer for you is that God blesses and keeps you in His loving arms and at peace. May He soothe all of your hurts and calm your fears. Know that He’s always with you. Always. And He loves you, and I love you too. Have a wonderful day.♥️

Love you,

Shaun