Tag: gratitude

Life

God Is Always Working

Shaun Bradford

Here is what I shared earlier on my social media platforms:

God is forever working behind the scenes on our behalf. Our job is to be patient and trust Him while He works, even when we don’t see anything happening. Eventually, everything will work out in our favor, and it will be better than we imagined.♥️

On this date for the past two years, I have shared this same image with the caption “Trust the process.” I guess that’s the real message. Trust God’s process.

Moment of transparency…

Since the end of June 2022, I had been struggling to secure contracts as an independent consultant. Even applying for jobs did not work. Then, in August of that year, my mom had a stroke and I became her primary caregiver. Even though I was with her 24/7, I was still looking for work (even remotely) and nothing panned out. I kept hearing to rest and just spend time with her. That I had enough to sustain me. I did not need more.

Sadly, it wasn’t until almost the end of her life that I actually understood what was meant by resting and spending time with her. I am so grateful I eventually listened. I needed that time with her.

After she passed last May, seemed like nothing was working in my favor. Everything was just “blah.” And it was also during this time that I was experiencing the greatest spiritual pruning of my lifetime. I mean, I did ask for this side of 50 to be different. I just did not know what that entailed. Basically, patience, trust, faith, hope, and endurance. Lots of endurance!

By the end of last year, I had completely surrendered control to God because nothing I attempted to do was working—nothing. And that’s when things began to change. I started receiving job offers out of the blue. I felt like Celie in The Color Purple after she found Nettie’s letters. There were so many of them. Unfortunately, most were not a true match but I kept an open mind.

Fast forward to today. I just secured another contract as an independent consultant. God is so good!

Listen, even when things appear to be falling apart, they are actually falling in place. Most of the time it happens when we cannot feel or see God working. As I stated earlier, our job is to be patient and trust Him to work things out in our favor. Amen

God’s got us!♥️

Shaun

Life

Smile, It Happened and Is Still Happening

Shaun Bradford

Life is forever evolving and changing. Instead of crying over what was, smile because it was. Smile because you had the opportunity to experience it. Then, smile even bigger because you now have the opportunity to experience something even greater.

Facebook Memory: January 11, 2019

Happy Friday! Here’s today’s social media find. So, I’ve been reading old journal entries from 20+ years ago and reminiscing about the good old days (BTW: Today’s MJB’s birthday🎉). It’s amazing how time flies. If I could go back, I would definitely handle some situations and relationships differently. There were people in my past I wish I would have kept in touch with (grateful for FB reconnections 🤗). There were opportunities that I let slip away because I thought I was “oh so” brilliant 🤷🏽‍♀️ or because of fear. Either way, I lived and learned. One thing for sure, I can’t continue to look back on what could’ve, should’ve, would’ve, or might’ve happened. I can only look forward and enjoy the present ride.

I’m truly grateful for all of my wonderful experiences, whether they lasted for years or only a few seconds (that smile did something to me 😉).

Make the best of every moment. Don’t spend too much time thinking about how the story could’ve ended or will end. Enjoy the here and now.

Yes, it happened and it is still happening. Stay present and embrace the beauty of what’s happening now.

Just because a particular experience ended doesn’t mean something new is not already happening. God is forever working even when we cannot see it or feel it. Remember that every new day brings new opportunities and experiences. If we continue to dwell on what was, we will miss the beauty of what’s happening now. So, keep smiling. Our story is far from over. The best is yet to come!♥️

Shaun

Life

Change Is Necessary

Shaun Bradford

Sitting here thinking…

Just watched a new episode of Tyler Perry’s Sistas. It’s a new season with new writers and new characters. A lot of “new,” and many fans are not feeling the changes. It’s funny because many of the same people were complaining because they wanted change. Hilarious.

Anyhoo… That got me thinking about change. Some people like change while others do not. Some people adjust to change quicker than others. Personally, I always try to find the positive within the change. Whether people like it or not, change is inevitable and so necessary. It’s necessary for growth. New opportunities are born from change. Just imagine what the world would be like without change. Imagine what our life would be like without change. Scary, huh?!

Yes…change is necessary.

Looking forward to the new opportunities this change will create. Gotta keep the bigger picture in mind. There are so many great things to come.

That’s enough thinking for tonight. Time to wind down. Praying y’all have a wonderful night. Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

It’s Due Season

Shaun Bradford

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)

You did all the right things, and did not lose heart. You hung in there even when it seemed impossible. Smile. It’s due season. It’s time for you to reap your harvest of blessings. Love you!♥️ ~Shaun

You did it!
Life

Much More Is Waiting

Shaun Bradford

As I wrote two years ago, where you currently are is not where you are meant to stay. There is so much more waiting for you to see and achieve. Keep going!♥️ ~Shaun

Facebook Memory: January 8, 2022

Where you are at in this moment in time is not where you are meant to stay. Do not give up and whatever you do, please do not settle. Higher IS waiting.

You have come too far to stop now. Keep going higher!🙏🏽♥️

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Happy First Sunday of 2024! Thanking God for life, love, health, purpose and peace. Going to start this year off with one of my favorite worship songs. Found it among today’s Facebook memories and thought I would share.

Alabaster Box by CeCe Winans
Lyrics: AZLyrics.com

The room grew still
As she made her way to Jesus
She stumbles through the tears that made her blind
She felt such pain
Some spoke in anger
Heard folks whisper
There’s no place here for her kind
Still on she came
Through the shame that flushed her face
Until at last, she knelt before his feet
And though she spoke no words
Everything she said was heard
As she poured her love for the Master
From her box of alabaster

And I’ve come to pour
My praise on Him
Like oil from Mary’s alabaster box
Don’t be angry if I wash his feet with my tears
And I dry them with my hair
You weren’t there the night He found me
You did not feel what I felt
When he wrapped his loving arms around me and
You don’t know the cost of the oil
In my alabaster box

I can’t forget the way life used to be
I was a prisoner to the sin that had me bound
And I spent my days
Poured my life without measure
Into a little treasure box
I’d thought I’d found
Until the day when Jesus came to me
And healed my soul
With the wonder of His touch
So now I’m giving back to Him
All the praise He’s worthy of
I’ve been forgiven
And that’s why
I love Him so much

And I’ve come to pour
My praise on Him
Like oil from Mary’s alabaster box
Don’t be angry if I wash his feet with my tears
And dry them with my hair (my hair)
You weren’t there the night Jesus found me
You did not feel what I felt
When He wrapped his loving arms around me and
You don’t know the cost of the oil
Oh, you don’t know the cost of my praise
You don’t know the cost of the oil
In my alabaster box

Listen, when CeCe says– “You weren’t there the night Jesus found me. You did not feel what I felt when He wrapped His loving arms around me.” Whew!!! ONLY God knows. Forever grateful for His unconditional love, mercy, and grace. I am pretty sure someone else can relate. No one will ever quite understand the cost of our oils. All they need to know is that we are still here! Amen.

I pray this song continues to bless you as much as it does me. Wishing you a wonderfully, peaceful Sunday.♥️

Love you,

Shaun