Tag: grace

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.♥️
Life

God Is So Good

Shaun Bradford

Sitting here drawing (yesss…I’m finally drawing again) and thinking about God’s goodness. Y’all, He really is good. Like…for real. I am forever in awe of Him.

That’s all! Just wanted to take time to acknowledge God.♥️ ~Shaun

Can’t express my gratitude enough. I am truly blessed.
Life

God Has Something Better Planned

Shaun Bradford

I’m learning more and more not to become discouraged when things don’t work out as I thought they would. Either things do not happen because 1) it’s not time, 2) it’s for our protection, or 3) it just isn’t meant to be. No matter the reasons, God always has something better planned. Always

Unfortunately, my uncle did not win the election. There were a few hiccups (ran out of ballots at several precincts) in one of the major counties. Yes, voter suppression at its finest. Anyhoo… In my opinion, my uncle did very well. With 94% of the votes in, he received nearly 42% of the votes (over 300K votes). To me that’s pretty awesome. To go from no one knowing your name six months ago to having over 300 thousand votes is good.

Well y’all, my Year50 continues. It was nice to experience politics from a different point of view. I have absolutely no idea what other adventures are in store for the next seven months. I will say that so far things have been much different from the first 50 years. Not in a bad way, just different and interesting. The way I view life is so different from before. I’m much calmer now, and expecting the unexpected is becoming the norm. Yeah… nothing really surprises me anymore. People are going to people and life is going to continue doing what it does. No need to stress about it, right?

Anyway…

Thanking God for peace, grace and exceptional love. I am truly blessed.

Good Night!♥️

Shaun

Life

God’s Grace

Shaun Bradford

The song, “God’s Grace,” by Trin-I-Tee 5:7, often comes to mind when I think of grace. The song says–

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
Lyrics: MusixMatch

So grateful for God’s grace.♥️ ~Shaun

Life

The Storms – Part 2

Shaun Bradford

The quote I used for my previous blog was the caption that I used when I shared my Wednesday Writings blog on Facebook a year ago. While searching for content for today’s second blog, I decided to actually read Wednesday Writings. Y’all, it was too good not to share.

Although I am providing the link to the blog, I am also sharing it in its entirety.

Wednesday Writing, October 26, 2022

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♥️

Y’all, storms don’t last always. I know they seem to last forever while we are in them, but they don’t last. Sending prayers up for everyone going through storms at the moment. May God grant you peace, patience, and endurance. Just hold on. Your breakthrough is coming.

Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

My Two Cents About Somebody Else’s Business — LOL

Shaun Bradford

Soooo…

I don’t usually speak on celebrities’ business unless something about it resonates with me or hits me a certain way. So today’s big news on social media is Jada Pinkett Smith revealing that she and Will have been separated since 2016. I haven’t heard the interview or the whole story—and I absolutely detest click bait—however, this time I’m biting and adding my two cents.

Y’all, life be lifing! Let’s be real, we have absolutely no idea where life is going to take us. We are blindsided every day by things we didn’t see coming. And most of the time it’s not due to other people’s actions but our own. Sometimes we wake up and decide to react or respond to things differently. It happens. I don’t know why. Can’t explain it. But it happens. The only possible explanation is we are human.

I don’t know about you but I am far from perfect. I try not to judge people because I know firsthand that life can take unexpected turns no matter how much you plan. It’s the story of my life. As I have said before, I had my entire life planned out as a child. Then, one blow to my plan literally took me out. And it didn’t stop there. I continuously made decisions that took me even further away from that plan. Looking back I hate how it happen but most of it was necessary. Anyway, it took me nearly 30 years to stop blaming myself for how things happened and for feeling like a failure.

Y’all, I’m saying all of this to say, life is going to do what it does. It’s up to us to figure out how we handle it. And hopefully we have people around us who will support and love us unconditionally when it does.

I read Will’s book and loved it. Can’t wait to read Jada’s. I have been rocking with them both for over 30 years and I’m not going to let their authenticity, vulnerability or life in general, stop me from supporting them. As I have said before, life be lifing. Don’t be so quick to judge or throw people away because you never know when you’ll need the same kind of support and understanding. It’s called grace.

Thank you for reading to my two cents. Wishing you a blessed day. Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

The Grace of God

Shaun Bradford

Facebook Memory: September 16, 2022

Where would you be without God’s grace?♥️ ~ Shaun

I am so grateful for God’s grace and His love.

Too many times I stepped out on my own and He still loved me enough to steer me back where I belonged. He didn’t shame me, belittle me, make me feel like trash, or cause some tragedy to happen to get my attention. No, He lovingly guided me back. That’s grace.

Y’all have a blessed weekend. Love you!♥️

Life

Grace

Shaun Bradford

Grace: Courteous goodwill.

Thankful for God’s grace. We know we do not deserve it, yet we receive it daily. Talk about blessed!♥️ ~Shaun

We are blessed.