Stay true to who you are.♥️ ~Shaun
Stay True
Tag: God’s plan
Hello Sunday
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
Wednesday Writings
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
Still Standing
Smile. You’re still standing!
Yes.. After all you’ve been through, you are still standing. You survived!♥️
This year has taught me that I cannot keep running from the storms, the pain, the disappointments, the heartaches. No, I have to stand in them and through through them. Sometimes I feel like I’m getting too old for this. I’m too tired. Then, God reminds me that He’s strong when I’m weak. All I have to do is lean on Him. He’s brought me through before and He’ll do it again. BUT.. I have to go through it. Running from it only delays the breakthrough. It delays progress, which delays the dream.
Standing!
Shaun
Wednesday Writings
I’m slowly learning that setbacks, or plot twists – as I call them because I definitely feel like I’m in a movie, a Tyler Perry movie – are designed to make me stronger. I know they are preparing me for something greater.
Yesterday, I experienced one of those “plot twists.” Not going to go into details. However, I will let you know I was on an all-time high where things just seemed to be falling in place, then.. BAM!, everything began to unravel as fast as they had happened. Although I was somewhat disappointed, I didn’t become upset. Instead, I remained calm as everything played out.
Y’all, I’m so thankful for my daughter (one of my gifts from God). I texted her while celebrating and she responded with, “Whatever you desire happens!” Because she’s witnessed God’s goodness over my life. Then, I texted her as things began to crumble. Her response, “It will work out how it needs to.” Y’all, it was the response I needed. Smiling. Proud mom moment.
So, yesterday, I decided not to be the problem solver that I always tend to be, and I allowed God to lead. I’m not going to lie, I wanted to make sense of everything that had happened and find a solution. But God asked me to release the reins and allow Him to lead. And I did.
My birthday theme for this year (Year 49) was Smooth Sailing. I said that I was going to sit back, relax and let the waves take me wherever they pleased. Guess what? I didn’t account for storms. As the storms roll in – and boy do they seem to be coming – out of habit, I want to sit up and take control of the ship. However, every time I get the urge do so, God reassures me that He’s got it all under control. All I have to do is sit back, relax and trust Him. As Bishop T. D. Jakes preached Sunday, I have to remain Steady in The Storm.
Thank you for reading today’s blog. I pray you’re also trusting God to guide you through your storms – because I know I can’t be the only one going through them. Smile.
Be Blessed♥️
Shaun
Life.. Will It Ever Make Sense?
They say one day everything will make sense. But what if it doesn’t? What if the ups and downs of life never makes sense?
My advice– a word for myself– don’t try to make things make sense. As long as God has you in His hands, you’ll be fine. Trust Him.♥️ ~ Shaun
Grace to Grow
Where you begin rarely looks like what you envisioned. Give yourself space, time and grace to grow. Don’t give up. You’ll get there!♥️ ~Shaun
Wednesday Writings
Gratitude.
Grateful for the connections I’ve made over my lifetime. Some connections have been brief, while others have been lifelong. The older I become, the more I cherish these connections and the time I get to spend with everyone.
Today, the world lost a wonderful man. He was a father, grandfather, brother, uncle, husband and friend. He was loud, opinionated, always cracking jokes and loved by so many. He will be missed. RIP Daddy E.
Today is also my sister’s 48th birthday. Wish I could be with her.
Yes, y’all. Life and time passes by so fast. Cherish the time you have with others, especially the ones you consider dear.
Shaun
Trust God’s Plan
That’s the blog..
Trust God’s plan.🙏🏽♥️
Shaun
Wednesday Writings
UPDATE #2: My mom is AWAKE and talking!!! God is soooo good!!! Thank y’all so much for the prayers.♥️
UPDATE: I spoke with my Mom’s ICU nurse a little while ago. She said that my mom actually responded to a few commands this morning. She also held her eyes open for a while. This is all great news!🙏🏽
The past several days have been overwhelming. However, the good news is, my mom is still with us.
As for me, I can’t even begin to describe where I’m at emotionally. Sometimes it feels as if I’m experiencing multiple emotions all at once– frustration, sadness, confusion, and loneliness, then throw in a bit of optimism. Ugh!
Y’all, I’m exhausted but can’t seem to rest. Haven’t had much of an appetite; however, I’m eating because I know I’m supposed to. Basically, I have been forcing myself to eat, drink and sleep. Every time I feel like I have a handle on things, something else pops up.
Yesterday Momma opened her eyes for a brief moment while my sister and I were in the room. Y’all, it felt like a miracle had happened. We were so happy. That was during the first ICU visitation. During each visitation that followed, we expected her to do the same or more but nothing happened. She barely even moved. One of my sisters said we should only speak positively. That negative conversations will only make things worse. She doesn’t want to hear anything other than Momma is going to pull through. Guess what?! This is really difficult to do when you’re the person who has to make the final decisions in case she doesn’t pull through. And that person is me.
Yes, it hurts. It’s painful. It makes me want to scream. But I’m here. I’m making it. I’m going with the flow. God’s got me. Life…
I love you, Momma.♥️
Shaun
It’s Shaun’s World 
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