Tag: growth

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Where do I begin. I set out to write about something else. Even saved a quote from a podcast I listened to last week. And now that I’m writing, I realize the quote actually fits in so well with today’s blog. Here’s the quote:

If it’s meant to be in my life, teach me how to receive it.

Sarah Jakes Roberts

So, I had every intention to write about how over the past few years I have become good at letting things go. I mean, now, if it doesn’t sit right with my soul, it’s gone. No explanation needed. However, what I have not been good at, or even thought much about, is receiving. How I receive, what I receive, or what I reject. After hearing Sarah Jakes Roberts discuss receiving and letting go, it was like a something clicked – I haven’t been fully opened to receive.

Short story…

On this day six years ago, I had the opportunity to see The Passion Live in New Orleans. It was a live reenactment of the events that led up to the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection. Well, a few weeks before it was scheduled to happen, I saw a tweet about how it was going to be the event of the year and they were expecting over 20,000 people to attend and participate. I remember thinking how I wanted to attend but didn’t know if I could. I just knew the tickets were gone. Then, a few days before the event, I saw another tweet with the link for FREE tickets. You already know I clicked the link and got a ticket. That’s when I heard God say, “Now you can go.” And I went and truly enjoyed myself.

Y’all, I’m becoming quite emotional as I think about God’s gifts, especially the unexpected ones. The ones where I just think about wanting something and He delivers. So, you may be wondering how does this fit in with receiving because as you can see, I receive God’s gifts so well. Well.. at least I believe I do. Smile. The problem isn’t receiving His gifts but gifts from others. I’m saying gifts, but definitely not only referring to things that have monetary value. I’m also referring to simple things like compliments, accolades, even expressions of gratitude. It wasn’t until I listened to Sarah’s interview that I realized the reason I haven’t been open to receiving is because I have felt unworthy or not good enough. When God gives me things I know it’s because He loves me, unconditionally. When people give me things I always feel as if it’s not truly genuine or something is expected of me. Even if the expectation is for me to achieve more, it’s something that’s expected. The crazy part is I honestly give without expectations. So why do I believe others are not capable of doing the same?

Well, this year I am going to be intentional about receiving, receiving without reciprocation. Sorry for those who actually expect something in return. If God believes I’m worth receiving His gifts, then He must believe I’m more than worthy of receiving gifts from people. And for those who graciously give, I accept your gifts.

Note – I don’t believe everyone gives expecting reciprocity. I know there are people who generously give. The issue I have is accepting gifts from people I barely know or don’t interact with often.

Anyhoo.. time to move on and start receiving. Just had an “Aha” moment! Some gifts God will deliver through people. Wow, how did I miss that? And it’s my job to be open to receive them. Smiling

As always, thank you so much for taking the time to read my blogs. Praying you have an extraordinary week. Be Blessed.

Shaun

Here are a few pictures from The Passion Live (March 20, 2016).

I was asked if I wanted to move closer to the stage, but I declined. No regrets. I believe I had a better view from where I was because I could see the entire stage. Great memories!
Tyler Perry was the narrator.
Trisha Yearwood was Mary.
Seal was Pontius Pilot and Jesus, Jencarlos Canela.
Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

Here is another awesome post that I found amongst my Facebook memories.

Facebook memory – December 22, 2018

In response to a quote by xonecole: “Don’t go back to less because you’re too impatient to wait for more,” I wrote:

Happy Saturday!! Here’s today’s social media find. As Joe [from Tyler Perry’s Madea movies] would say, “Don’t do it. Don’t do it.” Don’t you dare look back and miss out on what’s to come! Believe me, God is working. He’s ALWAYS working! Now, do your part and be patient.🤗 Y’all be blessed.💕 Wait. God’s got you. Your blessing is coming. Don’t look back. Don’t settle. Goals for 2019.

Well, 2019 was a year of so many highs and lows – moments of happiness, anger, euphoria, sadness, loss and depression. It is one year of my life that I absolutely hate revisiting. But as you can see from my post in 2018, it was also one I was so looking forward to. Little did I know, those high, euphoric moments would help me through some of the worst moments in my life.

Now, here I am three years later, still not settling, refusing to go back to what was, and moving forward. And yes, I am still waiting for whatever and whoever God has planned for my future as well as to fulfill His purpose. Without a doubt, I know the best is yet to come. As Bishop T. D. Jakes often says, what God has for you will not be found in what you left behind. It will be found in what is in front of you. Eyes forward.

God’s got me.

Thanks for reading! Wishing you and your families peace and joy.

Be Blessed

Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

It’s not Wednesday yet, but it will be by the time I finish writing. I just need to get this out before I go to sleep. Can’t have this heaviness weighing on me.

Warning: This blog is about one of my favorite television shows. Please feel free to stop reading at any time. Believe me, I know it’s not that interesting. I just need to get this off my chest.

Here we go…

I don’t know why certain things bother me so much. Tonight I was watching one of my favorite shows – Tyler Perry’s The Oval – and there was this scene between this married couple that really upset me. Here’s a little of their backstory:

Richard and Nancy have been married for about 24 years. While Richard was deployed Iraq, Nancy had an affair with Richard’s father and had a son. Nancy kept this secret for over 20 years by pretending he was her nephew. Well, after her son was shot and killed she decided to tell Richard the truth – her nephew was actually her son. AND the only reason she told him was because she needed help with paying for her son’s burial. Can you imagine holding a secret like that for years and only confessing because you’re in a bind? Well, that’s what Nancy did. Honestly, I wasn’t as upset about the secret as I was about how she shared the news. She just blurted it out. No shame. No guilt. No remorse. Just blurted it out. She needed Richard’s help and believed that since he was her husband he was supposed to happily give her the money. She could care less about the weight of the news she had just dropped on him. Talk about trifling!

Okay, now on to the part about the baby being his father’s. So, after Richard found out about Nancy’s son, he wanted to know the father’s identity. For weeks he begged her to tell him. Every time he asked, she would blow him off saying it didn’t matter because it was in the past. Well the more she blew him off, the worse things got between them. He kept telling her that all he wanted was the truth. Since she wouldn’t tell him, he decided he would have an affair of his own. Nancy found out about the affair – which never happened because the other lady didn’t want to be in the middle of their mess – and confessed that she had slept with his father. Of course Richard became upset because he assumed his father raped her. Ha! Not the case at all! She actually seduced his father. Said she was lonely. Now that really made him angry. Okay, so maybe this is when he tried to mess around on her but his love interest didn’t want to be involved in their mess. Talk about a smart move on her part. She saw the exit and took it. Lol

Anyway, Richard managed to avoid Nancy for weeks until tonight. Tonight he gave in and I lost all respect for him. Yes, I lost all respect for a fictional character. It was as if the sex made him forget the hurt and betrayal. Just thinking about it makes me feel sick. So many people were tweeting how happy they were that Nancy finally got her man back. Ugh.. I was not happy at all. In fact, I was pretty upset. How could he give in that easily. Yes, she apologized with words but her actions didn’t show that she was truly sorry. Yes, she continued to try to love on him hoping he would eventually come around; however.. and here’s the kicker.. she never once acknowledged his feelings. Instead she kept telling him that the affair happened years before and that he shouldn’t be upset because she never did it again. But what difference did that make. Whether it happened over 20 years before or the day before, the pain was still the same, especially since he had just found out.

So here’s why it upset me. I believe if someone hurts you and they are truly sorry for their actions, they will selflessly give you time and space to feel, to be, and to heal; and not discount your feelings. Your feelings matter.

I really needed to get that out. I know the characters are fictional and the drama is definitely fake; however, sometimes things are a little too real. I remember being hurt and feeling betrayed. Even though my feelings weren’t acknowledged, they mattered. One thing I regret is not taking the time to feel and heal. Instead I bottled everything up inside and pretended not to hurt. Now I’m feeling. And healing. What a process.

God is good.

Shaun