Tag: grace

Life

Blue Hearts💙

Shaun Bradford
Aren’t we all striving to exceed, excel, and/or overcome something.💙

So there’s this video trending on social media of a young man explaining how marriage has been one of his biggest adversities. He’s been married seven years and has an outside child that’s almost two years old. He said one of the ways he tried to make amends with his wife was by sending her a blue heart daily. The first day he sent one. The second day he sent two. The third day he sent three….and so forth. Y’all, he was so proud of himself. Well, he never made it past 21 days. He said sending hearts every day was just too hard to do. Listened, I tried not to laugh because he seemed so sincere, but it was so funny. How could that be difficult?

And I wasn’t alone. Most people agreed that sending hearts daily wasn’t that difficult to do nor was it special. However, he saw it as something special, as well as challenging. Who were we to judge? To him, sending blue hearts for 21 days was an accomplishment. He had achieved something he didn’t believe he could. And we don’t know, maybe his wife thought it was special too and was also proud of him.💙

Well, after searching for the young man’s name, because I had planned to use something he said during the interview as a quote (exceeding, excelling, and overcoming), I discovered he was an aspiring motivational speaker and that he truly loved his wife. When I tell you my laughter and judgment was replaced with compassion and respect. Y’all, this young man is just like everyone else trying to figure out how to maneuver through this circus called life. How many times have you wished you would have responded or said something differently? How many times have you made costly mistakes but by the grace of God you’re still standing? I believe we can agree that all of us have had similar experiences.

Listen, God’s grace is everything. I believe we need to extend more of it than be so quick to judge. Right now, that small segment of his interview has gone viral. People are in the comments telling his wife she has a loser on her hands and that she needs to find better. So many opinions…

Anyway, here’s an Instagram reel Mr. Pugh had pinned to his page: JahTheVoice. Sending prayers up for him and his wife. Praying their marriage survives this.

This too shall pass.

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

This morning I am torn between sharing the song that’s currently in my head or, not one, but several Facebook memories. The song has nothing to do with the memories. It’s just what I woke up hearing.

Hmm…. Let’s see what I decide.

Well, I went to my journal for inspiration, and my entry from last year basically summed up the Facebook memories I was thinking of sharing. So, I guess I will share a snippet of what I wrote.

Journal Entry: February 4, 2023

Today’s quote was, “Keep Showing Up.” I’m learning more and more that my dreams are not meant to be given up on. Even when I feel like things just aren’t going to happen or everything is pointless, God shows me otherwise. Those goals that I wrote down years ago, as well as the dreams I had as a little girl, they’re all going to come to fruition. What I imagined over 40 years ago, I will have. I just have to keep showing up and allowing God to lead.

I ended the entry with–

Lord, I’m trusting You to do it Your way. Amen

Honestly, I really don’t need to write more. I believe that said it all. The only thing I will add is, no matter what, do not give up on your dreams. Many of mine are over 40 years in the making and I still have not given up so you don’t either. Love you!♥️

Shaun

P.S. That song that’s currently stuck in my head is “Exhale” by Whitney Houston. I know, very random, but that’s me. Smile

Life

Blessed & Favored By God

Shaun Bradford

So many will settle for God’s blessings. However, I do not want His blessings without His favor.

According to Cambridge Dictionary, favor is defined as the support or approval of something or someone.

Listen, I love God’s blessings, and He gives them graciously; however, His approval is what I am seeking. Can’t you hear the Clark Sisters singing, “Blessed and Highly Favored”? I definitely can. Wishing you a beautifully, blessed day!♥️ ~Shaun

“Don’t take it for granted that we are here today. Just know that we’re blessed and highly favored.”

Life

It’s Already Handled

Shaun Bradford

Earlier, someone liked a tweet I posted nearly eight years ago. Not sure how old tweets pop up because I never seem to see them, but evidently someone does. Here’s the tweet.

X (formerly known as Twitter): June 21, 2016

Looking back over the past eight years, so many things happened that could have destroyed my spirit, made me give up, made me settle, made me lose faith, yet here I am. I am still standing and moving forward. As people say, I am so glad I don’t look like what I have been through. God is so good and merciful.

Not sure what prompted me to make that post. Sometimes I just post what I feel or hear. Either way, I see that someone needed that message today.

Here’s what I will add today. God already knows the outcome of our situations. He knew before we even knew there would be one. Our job is to rest in Him while He takes us through whatever we need to go through to get to the other side. As I mentioned before, there were plenty of things that could have taken me out, but I am still here. I am so grateful I didn’t give up or give in. Y’all, God is so good!

Listen, don’t give up. God’s got you! You will get through this. Right now I am hearing this song we used to sing in church (there are different variations) — “How I got over. How I got over. My soul looks back and wonder, how I got over.” Amen

Have a blessed day! Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

God’s Grace

Shaun Bradford
I am truly blessed!♥️

Honestly, there is no telling where I would be without God’s grace or His love and protection. As the song “God’s Grace” says, “No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” I can only imagine the weapons that He has blocked over my lifetime and continues to block. That’s grace.

God’s Grace by Trin-I-Tee 5:7
Lyrics: Musixmatch

Everything you need is right here
All of your problems, yes I’m aware
And when you’re down, I’ll be right there
You can call on me ’cause
I hear your prayer
No other name can put joy where there is pain
He will do it for you but first you gotta know that it’s by God

It’s by God’s grace
All things through Christ Jesus
No weapon formed against me shall prosper
I’m so glad to know (So glad)
It’s by God’s grace
All things through Christ Jesus
No weapon formed against me shall prosper

Say you got laid off
Can’t pay your bills
Sick, can’t get well
My Jesus heals
He’ll brighten up your darkest day
Put trust in Him
And he’ll make a way
Anyone the son sets free – is free indeed
He will set you free
But first you got to be a believer and know that it’s by God

It’s by God’s grace
All things through Christ Jesus
No weapon formed against me shall prosper
Anything your heart desires, my God is gonna see to it

It’s by God’s grace
All things through Christ Jesus
No weapon formed against me shall prosper
It’ll never prosper, so come on in

Come on in before the sun goes down
Even though the devil’s got you bound
Know you’re tired of going round and round
Take the Word and knock him down
He’ll forgive you of your sins
Open up and let Him in
Let the Lord show you His love
By the mighty God we’re conquerers

It’s by God’s grace
All things through Christ Jesus
No weapon formed against me shall prosper
If you believe in it in your heart, raise your hands and sing

It’s by God’s grace
All things through Christ Jesus
No weapon formed against me shall prosper
Say your battle is already won, you just keep on telling yourself

It’s by God’s grace
All things through Christ Jesus
No-no-no-no-no weapon formed-

It’s by God’s grace
All things through Christ Jesus
No weapon formed against me shall prosper
No weapons formed (No weapons formed)
Against me now (Against me now)
Shall prosper

It’s by God’s grace
All things through Christ Jesus
No weapon formed against me shall prosper
When trouble seem to follow you everywhere you go

It’s by God’s grace
All things through Christ Jesus
No weapon formed against me shall prosper

Life

Are You Giving God Your Best?

Shaun Bradford

Here’s today’s Facebook Memory from last year.

Facebook Memory: January 9, 2023

Food for thought: We want and expect the best, but are we giving God our BEST?

Is He getting your best?

Just imagine how good life would actually be if we gave God our best. I am so grateful He does not treat us like we treat Him. Y’all, we are definitely blessed. So thankful for God’s love, mercy, and grace. It’s unmatched!♥️

Shaun

Life

Declare Victory and Focus on the Good

Shaun Bradford

Y’all, I am really considering bringing back my Wednesday Writings. I used to share so much…perhaps a little too much. Guess you can say it’s where I shared my most transparent moments and feelings. Below is one I shared last year on this date. When I say it’s so timely and right on point!

Yesterday, I wrote about the atmosphere shift I could feel taking place, and about staying rooted and grounded in God and most importantly staying covered. Well, last year I wrote about declaring victory not defeat. Baby, I was going through some things and I had to let the enemy know that NO WEAPON formed against me would prosper!!! And I took the advice I shared yesterday, I stayed rooted and grounded in God and allowed Him to lead. Here’s a little of what I shared.

Facebook Memory: December 21, 2022

Y’all, life happens and challenges come. Be sure to VERBALLY declare victory over the overwhelming. Yes, speak your victory into the universe and watch things change.♥️

Wednesday Writings
Speak it!

Listen, I was going through some things and at this moment, I am still going through a few things. Seems like you can never have the good without a little bit of bad or vice versa, you have the bad but there is always a little bit of good in each moment. My advice is to focus on the good, the positive. Focus on how great our God is. Y’all, He’s so good!! So very good. Honestly, I can barely remember what I was going through last year, but I know that whatever it was God handled it, and I know He will handle things again. I needed this memory. I am declaring victory over my life. What the enemy meant for harm will not prevail! My God is greater and mightier! Amen

Y’all, I cannot stress it enough, I am truly, truly blessed! I just love the way God loves me. He always provides exactly what I need when I need it. Forever grateful.

Thanks for reading. I pray that you are preparing for a peaceful and relaxing holiday break (those who have one), and spending the holidays with family and friends.

Be Blessed!♥️

Shaun

Life

Hurt People Hurt People

Shaun Bradford

Decided to include two Facebook memories in this morning’s post. Even though one is about healing from hurt and the other about love, I believe they were meant to be shared together.

Facebook Memory: December 16, 2018

Today’s message: “Hearing When You’re Hurting.” Bishop T.D. Jakes

Sometimes emotional pain is worse than physical pain, and it’s harder to heal. So many people are in pain. Some of it stems from years of hurt. But God is a healer. Amen

Facebook Memory: December 16, 2022

Love is patient.
Love is kind.
Love is understanding.
Love ALWAYS wins.♥️

As I mentioned earlier, I thought the two memories should be shared together. Have you ever heard the phrase, “hurt people hurt people”? Well, I never bought into the idea until recently. I used to believe that the phrase only referred to people who intentionally hurt others. You know, the vindictive ones. I never considered the unintentional hurts.

I believe it is not until you are healed that you realize you hurt someone else because you were hurt.

Without going into too many details, that’s exactly what happened before I decided to divorce my ex. After 17 years of holding on to the pain of my daughter’s father abandoning me (and all the other craziness), I forgave him. Y’all, that was when everything changed. My entire outlook on life had changed because I was no longer in pain. Sadly, my eyes were opened and I began seeing all the damage I had caused. This included my marriage. Up until then, I honestly hadn’t realize I had married him out of pain. Little did I know, I was one of those hurt people who hurt people.

Now love…

I believe love is everything I had defined it to be—patient, kind, and understanding. However, I do not believe it is possible to fully love someone else while you are still in pain. Shoot…you don’t fully love yourself because if you did, you would let go of the pain. I still cannot believe it took me 17 years. I almost repeated the same mistake when my ex wouldn’t sign the divorce papers after almost 4 1/2 years. I had to let that pain go.

So, here is what I have learned from my experience. It’s not until you are healed from the pain that you realize—1) your pain can cause you to unintentionally hurt others and 2) fully loving someone else—including yourself—while you are still in pain, is impossible.

Life is definitely full of lessons.

That’s all for now. Thanks for reading. Wishing you a wonderful day. Love you.♥️

Shaun

Life

You Are Victorious

Shaun Bradford

This post is for those currently experiencing setbacks, heartbreaks, and disappointments. Despite how dire life might seem at the moment, please know that your story is far from over. You cannot give up. You are so loved. Brighter days are ahead. Believe me, you will make it as you have many times before. There is no doubt that you will win!

As Pastor Joel Osteen would say, “You are the victor.” You will win as you always have. Remember, God’s got you!

I can hear Yolanda Adams singing, Victory. Can’t you? Smile

Love you.♥️

Shaun

Life

God’s Favor

Shaun Bradford

God’s Favor by Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers
Lyrics: Genius.com

I know that you don’t feel your best
Hold on, Be strong
God’s not forgotten you
Broken dreams got you feeling blue
Hold on, be strong
God’s looking out for you
Just remember at the end of the day
The favor of God can open the way
God’s favor, is more precious than life
(God’s favor, more precious, than life, to me)
I know that you don’t feel up to the fight
Hold on, be strong
The battle is not up to you
Oh I hear you say, it just ain’t no way
Hold on, be strong
God’s got the final say
Just remember in the midst of your down
The favor of God can turn things around
God’s favor more precious than life
(God’s favor, more precious, than life, to me)
So what if doors are closed
God’s favor can bring high places down
I know that you’ve been faithful
And when God get’s ready to bless you
There is nothing no man can do
God’s favor, more precious than life

God’s favor is surrounding you. Embrace it. It’s already yours.♥️