Tag: God’s plan

hope

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford
Blessed.

Hello! I’m hoping you’re doing well. I realize I haven’t greeted you in ages, which is pretty rude of me. It’s like me walking into a room and not speaking, or waking up and not saying “Good Morning.” Please forgive me for not acknowledging you before sharing my thoughts. I promise to do better and not only let you know you are loved at the end, but that your presence is appreciated at the beginning.

So, while looking for inspiration for this post, I found this prayer in one of my “Wednesday Writings” (July 21, 2021). It is one I haven’t said in a while or been mindful of. Here it is —

“I pray that I recognize and accept the opportunities He [God] sends my way. I pray fear does not stop me from moving forward. I pray God gives me the strength– mentally, spiritually and physically– to endure this task.”

I ended it with —

“I know God’s got me, but do I have myself?”

Hmmm…

That was a great question. Did I have myself? Well, I thought I did, and to some extent I did. However, I was still working through a lot of stuff. One of which was learning to put myself first. To stop overlooking my needs, desires, and feelings to appease others. That was in 2021. Today, I can’t say I am 100% there; however, I am pretty close (95-98%). Had to get over the guilt of feeling selfish. The interesting part is the ones who mattered the most, my two hearts, were the ones urging me to take care of myself, first. Maybe they are actually the reason for my growth. I just love them and the way they love me. I guess I said all of that to say, “Yes, I got me!”

I also found another gem in the post (besides the prayer). I was celebrating my continual days of writing. Here’s what I wrote —

“I’m on my 67th day of continuous blogging and refuse to stop until I reach 100 days.”

100 days…

100 days was my goal…

Y’all, I’m in tears! Today makes 1170 days of continuous blogging. And to think I was only trying to make it to 100. Back then I was struggling to post once a day. Now, I’m posting at least twice a day, and not only on this platform but others. Yep… I’m crying. I had no idea of what I was capable of. It may not seem significant to you but it’s huge to me. These are my 1170 blue hearts.💙

I’m going to go ahead and end here because I’m crying (tears of praise and gratitude) too much to keep writing. Praying you have a wonderful Sunday. ♥️

Love you always,

Shaun

hope

Chosen Vessel

Shaun Bradford

So, my own YouTube Short was the first video that popped up when I opened the app. Smiling because I actually left a message for my future self to see at this very moment. I just love how God works. And maybe…just maybe…it was also left for me to share it with you.

You are God’s chosen vessel. As Marvin Sapp sings—

You are my chosen vessel
You are anointed for this season in time
What people rejected
I have accepted
I am with you, you are mine
You are mine

Yes, YOU were chosen by God for this specific season in time. What people have rejected, God has accepted. How awesome is that.☺️

Praying you have a pleasant night.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Here’s the description of the Short—

Yes, He chose YOU!

“Chosen Vessel,” by Marvin Sapp

hope

Leaps in Life

Shaun Bradford

Yesterday, I had lunch with a friend and we were talking about how things have happened in our lives since we’ve been adults. She was saying how she never had plans for her life. That everything in her life happened by chance.

Well, my story was quite different. I had plans for almost every aspect of my life. Then, one mistake (what I considered a mistake—having sex without being married) changed the entire trajectory of my life. Not only did it throw a whole wrench in my plans, it messed me up mentally. Honestly, I didn’t know how to recover. Everything I had imagined was shot (so I believed). So, every decision made afterwards was based on that one “mistake.” Shame is a beast!

After my life and plans began to crumble, I decided to do something drastically different. I woke up one morning and decided to join the Air Force. I made that decision, or took that leap, without an ounce of fear or a second thought. Same thing when I finally decided to get a divorce. At first, I was too afraid to leave because I had no idea how I would survive on my own. Then, one day I wasn’t afraid anymore. It was the same when I resigned from my job. I had no fear.

What I am trying to say is when you’re really ready to take the leap you’ll do it, and you won’t be afraid. Maybe nervous, but not afraid. For me, those moments of decision were the most peaceful and clearest. Listen, people can talk until they’re blue in the face trying to motivate you to do something you’re not ready for, and you may even try, but it’s not until you’re actually ready that you’ll take the leap without fear or regret.

Anyhoo… here’s the real post. Guess I felt like writing. Smile. Take the leap…when you’re ready. And you’ll know when you’re ready because all fear will be gone.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Facebook Memory: July 25, 2022

Listen, it took me a while to take the leap. Had been feeling it for years. Had so many excuses why I couldn’t. How I couldn’t make it without having support, without a clear direction or plan. Then, one day, the fear was gone. Like completely GONE. That’s when I took the leap. Has it been easy? Not at all! However, it was so worth it! I DO NOT regret it at all!! Y’all, three years ago I couldn’t even envision this. But GOD DID!!🙌🏽

I know there are more leaps to come; and when they do, I won’t be as hesitant to take the leaps.

Take the leap. God’s got you!

hope

Don’t Resist The Flow

Shaun Bradford

When God moves, He moves. Be careful not to resist the flow. Relax and go with it. He’s taking you somewhere special. Love you!♥️ ~Shaun

God’s plan is always best.
hope

Opportunities

Shaun Bradford

On July 23, 2019, I wrote the following (shared the entire post in the screenshot below), “I’m learning that opportunities do come around more than once, just repackaged.” Well, this is absolutely true. As with issues we don’t properly handle—you know the ones that keep resurfacing in different ways—opportunities do come back around, often in a different form. Well… sometimes we actually get the same exact opportunity—not repackaged in a different way, but exactly the same.

Now, five years ago and even up until recently, I actually believed once a door (opportunity) was closed, it was closed. Boy was I wrong! What I am learning is God closes some doors until we are better equipped to handle what’s on the other side. Not only am I watching this unfold in my own life, but I am watching it happen with Vice President Kamala Harris. Y’all, it’s the same exact door (opportunity).

With this being said, know that closed doors (opportunities) do reopen. Yes, they actually do! So, don’t give up. Keep doing what you are doing and when the time is right it will reopen, and you won’t even have to knock on it. The door will just open. Don’t you just love how God works. Smiling

That’s all for now. Wishing you a magnificent day!♥️

Love you always,

Shaun

Facebook Memory: July 23, 2019

The hashtags are their own messages!

hope

I’m Listening God

Shaun Bradford

Can’t help but laugh because all while I was writing my last post, now deleted, I kept hearing Bishop Jakes’ message from this morning, “The Theology of Quietness,” subtopic: “The Silence of The Lamb.” My post wasn’t bad, I just didn’t need to share it. I should have shared this instead.

Three things the enemy is after:

1) Your power.

2) Your purpose.

3) Your prowess.

I’m listening God!

Here’s Bishop T. D. Jakes’ message, “The Theology of Quietness.”

I keep telling y’all God loves me. So thankful for His guidance.♥️

Shaun

hope

Ask

Shaun Bradford

Four years ago, I wrote Just Ask. In the post I described a time where I wanted something and God responded instantly. Which, at the time, was a common occurrence. I would nonchalantly think of or mention something I wanted and God would deliver. Just like that! Well, lately I have not asked for anything. At least, not anything specific, and I’m not sure why. However, what I do know is I need to get my “ask” back. Yes, I need to start asking again.

Anyhoo… This is all I have for you now. I pray you receive whatever you ask for. Wishing you a very blessed day.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Just Ask – July 18, 2020

Just Ask
hope

You Won’t Fail

Shaun Bradford

This post was inspired by my previous post. It’s actually the closing statement. To recap, I was unmotivated to write this morning. Didn’t even want to share a Facebook memory. Then, after writing in my journal for a while, I was reminded of the Facebook memory I didn’t want to share—to keep showing up. Well, I did just that. I showed up and shared the memory. I just love how God loves me.

Know this, God will not allow you to fail. Even when you don’t care if you fail, He won’t allow it. He’s called you to fulfill a purpose that only you can fulfill, and you best believe He will make sure you fulfill it. Now, don’t get me wrong, He will not force you to do anything, but He will give you the means (even the motivation) to do it.♥️ ~Shaun

God will turn your smallest of efforts into a masterpiece. You will not fail.

Life

God’s Plans Are Always Best

Shaun Bradford
Originally shared on July 9, 2022.

I have absolutely no idea of what God has planned next for my life. I’m just going with the flow. As so many wise ones have said, God will show you the vision (got that), but not the many details along the way that are necessary to His plans. Here is what Year50 taught me—Yes, it took nearly 50 years to learn this:

1) Stay in the passenger seat. God is an amazing driver.

2) Remain under God’s covering. His presence and protection are forces to be reckoned with.

3) Trust God’s plans and His guidance. He sees and knows ALL—every tiny detail, every thought, every conversation.

On this side of 50, I have chosen to stick with God’s plans because I know (not believe) they are best. There are none better. Another thing Year50 taught me was God is the Master of plot twists. So yeah, I am sticking with His plans. Smile

Praying you have an amazing day!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Today’s message is one that I have shared the past two years on this date. However, each time I have reshared it, I have added a few more words of wisdom. Yes, I am becoming wiser.

Today…

Every season has its own blessings and lessons. After a while, you begin to realize the lessons are blessings. You will never move forward without the lessons—which makes them blessings. Smile

Facebook Memory: July 7, 2023

You will make it through the lessons. Let me reiterate–you WILL make it through the lessons. Stay the course. Your blessings are waiting.♥️

Facebook Memory: July 7, 2022

Every season comes with blessings and lessons. Embrace both. Blessings will get you through lessons while lessons prepare you for greater blessings. Gotta love life.♥️

Whether you are in the middle of a blessing or lesson, keep God first. He’s the key. Love you!♥️

Shaun