Tag: gratitude

Life

Put God First and Keep Him First

Shaun Bradford

On October 12, 2022, I began dedicating the first 30-45 minutes of my day to God. As soon as I opened my eyes, I would express my gratitude for life, love, peace and grace. Then, I would recite a few personal prayers I had written down. Lastly, I would listen to or read something inspirational. This had/has been my daily routine for a year. At least, that was my intention.

Well, over time I noticed that the time I spent with God slowly decreased. I found myself making compromises by spreading parts of my morning routine throughout my day. However, I was already doing this—watching inspirational videos and praying throughout the day—so it wasn’t like I was adding more to it. You see how I tried to justify my actions for taking away that first 30-45 minutes? Funny, but definitely not funny. That time I had dedicated to God was and is so important.

It wasn’t until a couple of hour ago that I realized that I had skipped that time all together. I said a few words of gratitude when I woke up, but that was it. I felt terrible when I finally realized what I had done. This didn’t happen all of a sudden. As I mentioned earlier, it happened over time. Every time I decided something was a little more important or I could just do it another time, the less time I actually spent with God.

After realizing what I had done this morning, I immediately stopped what I was doing and acknowledged Him.

Question: Have you ever found yourself too busy to spend quality time with God? Be honest.

Y’all, I just had an “Aha” moment. Quality time… Not just any old time, but quality time. Yesterday, I wrote that quality time was my primary love language, yet I have not been spending quality time with God. What was supposed to be quality had become a true routine, almost task like.

It’s time that I get back on track. I cannot afford to lose this relationship I have built with God. It’s too important. If you have found yourself putting your relationship with God second, third or last, I encourage and challenge you to change that immediately. Your relationship with God is vital!

Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

All Things New… Again

Shaun Bradford

Hello. Hello. Hello!!!

Praying you had an amazing week. As you know, mine was pretty awesome! Anyhoo… it’s back to reality and the rest of these assignments that are due this weekend. Ugh!! Gotta love life.

Here’s a Facebook memory from last year, September 29, 2022:

God will make ALL things new.♥️

Loving and living in all things new. Loving this space I’m in. Smiling.

That’s it! Wishing you a fabulous weekend. Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Grateful

Shaun Bradford

Woke up singing “Grateful” by Hezekiah Walker. It’s one of the songs on my favorite playlist. The song says—

I am grateful for the things that you have done
Yes, I'm grateful for the victories we've won
I could go on and on and on about your works
Because I'm grateful, grateful, so grateful just to praise you Lord
Flowing from my heart are the issues of my heart, it's gratefulness

Thanking God for life.♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Today makes 50 years 3 months! Yay!!!

Unlike the first two months, this month has not been as revelatory as the first two. I am not going to lie, I felt like I was being ripped apart those first two months. God would reveal areas where I needed to make changes in order to grow and I actually made them. I did not make excuses like I had many times before. No, this time I followed through. And y’all, I am so glad I did. I had no idea how much anxiety and stress was associated with how I had been operating. Now I feel like I am in a better place; a healthier place.

I also started back going to school. It’s a whole other kind of stressor, but I will make it. I am still trying to find a balance between it and life. I do not want to get burned out, nor do I want to be so stressed that I risk my health for a degree. Unlike many of my family members and several of my friends, I have made it to my 50s without hypertension or diabetes and my goal is to keep it this way. So be it if it takes me longer to achieve my goals. Health is truly wealth. I refuse to allow stress to take it.

On a more positive note…

One of my babies is 20 today!!! He stopped by last night after work. Only got to see him for a few minutes before he headed to the dorms, but those few minutes were worth it. I love my baby. Can’t wait to spend the day with him. At least I hope we’re spending the day together. He might have other plans.

Okay… that was about the birthday boy. Now about my princess!

She’s getting married!!!!

Been wanting to write about her engagement since it happened two days ago but had to wait for them to announce it. I cried and screamed—screamed and cried—not screaming now, but I am crying. It was so beautiful. She was absolutely clueless. I had known for months. Keeping it a secret while trying to feel her out about how she truly felt about marriage was one of the hardest things to do. Making sure she didn’t see any of her fiancé’s texts coming through while we were together was also challenging. But now it’s over. She had talked him into going on an adult Disney trip for his birthday. (Before he had always gone with family and never got the full experience.) Little did she know his birthday trip was actually for her. Yes… I am still crying. She deserves the best and I absolutely believe he is it.

They officially met the first day they moved into the dorms in 2013. His cousin was my daughter’s roommate. Just like in the movie Brown Sugar, the bonded over music and have been together ever since. Now they’re literally making music together. He’s her producer. I’m so happy for them and excited to be by her side as she enters another phase of life. She’ll be his wife, but always and forever my baby.

Side note: When I tell you music is powerful! Y’all, it is definitely another love language. Listen, make me a good playlist and I am hooked for life. For real! Laughing. There is just something about music, good music, that takes me to another place. Hence the reason I always have some song playing in my head. It’s like my thoughts come with background music. Crazy, huh?

Anyhoo… cheers to three months on this side of 50. Looking forward to the years to come. I wonder what month #4 will look like. For starters, I am going to see Beyoncé Wednesday!!! If I have nothing else to report about month 4, I can say I attended the Renaissance World Tour! Smiling.

Wishing you an amazingly blessed week. Love you!♥️

Shaun

He was always so dramatic.
The couple!♥️♥️