hope

God’s Gift

Good Morning!☀️

This morning’s message is another Hello Sunday. This one is from January 30, 2022.

Hello Sunday”– January 30, 2022 (shared in its entirety)

Today I would like to share some of my thoughts and feelings about where I’m at in this stage of life. Basically, I just need to write. 

This morning I came across another Facebook memory I shared two years ago. Here’s the quote:

Never allow waiting to become a habit. Live your dreams and take risks. Life is happening now. AUTHOR UNKNOWN 

Back then I was like, “Yeah! I’m not waiting for nothing or no one. I’m living my best life now!” Fast forward to today, this quote has me feeling some kind of way. Let me explain.

Transparent moment:

For a while now.. I guess you can say for months now.. I’ve been second and triple guessing my feelings. Even after a few sessions of therapy, my therapist says I’m fine. So why don’t I feel fine? 

Here’s what I’m feeling or have been feeling, and as strange as it may sound it kind of frightens me – calm, peaceful, relaxed, happy, and loved. Everything I’ve ever dreamed of and it frightens me. Sounds strange, doesn’t it? Like why does it frighten me so?

Okay.. back to the quote. When I shared it two years ago, I remember feeling like I really needed to enjoy the space I was in, needed to be more present. I remember constantly waiting for things to happen or trying to make things happen. I spent so much time doing both that I was only living my life in spurts and was always anxious. Now here I am two years later, very present and living in the moment, living the dream.

So why am I so perplexed about where I am in life? 

Well, since I was a teenager I have always said, and lived by this –“After I turn 50, I’m going to live my dream.” You see, the first 50 years were supposed to be my test and trial period. My period to make mistakes as well as make the amount of money needed to support and sustain my lifestyle for the next 50 years. And the next 50 were to be spent doing what I actually loved, which kind resembles what I’m doing now but without the millions of dollars I imagined. Yep.. I’ve had it all planned out for decades. Yeah.. planned. I have to laugh because according to my plan and timeline, I’m supposed to be working my butt off trying to figure out how I’m going to live and sustain my dream and I’m here living nonchalantly like 50 isn’t fast approaching. Guess you could say I’m still in the test and trial period so why am I worried. Well, I’ll be 49 this year and time is running out! 

Side Note – As I was writing, God reminded me of what I asked for. Last March, as I was sitting at my desk working my butt off, I looked out the window and saw this bird singing. At that moment, I told God I wanted to live as free as a bird, and as clear as day He told me I could. Three weeks later I resigned from my job. Ever since I’ve been living this carefree, basically, euphoric life. He gave me exactly what I asked for but for some reason I keep trying to find fault in it. Maybe, I don’t have to work my butt off trying to figure out how I’m going to support my dream. Maybe all I need to do is leave it in God’s hands while enjoy life.

Note – After I write this blog, I’m going to leave this matter alone because I get the feeling that I’m disrespecting God’s gift every time I bring this up. 

Y’all, I’m feeling much better now that I got that all out. Life is really good. Just had another “Aha!” moment. Have I been subconsciously searching for ways to self-sabotage my dream? Would I do that to myself? Hmm.. Something to really think about. 

Anyhoo.. thanks for reading and following my random thoughts. Sometimes I just need to get it all out into the universe. I’m so grateful for this space. God is so amazing!


As you can see, I wrote a lot that day. Today, I can say I’ve adjusted to the gift God’s granted me. I received it early (a couple of years before 50, which threw me for a loop) and, I’m not going to lie, it took me until sometime last year to fully embrace it—meaning not waiting until my life looked like what I envisioned but living and taking risks now.

Now, I’m moving on to the next phase of life after 50. Of course, I feel like the withdrawal from the World Health Organization has thrown a wrench in my plans to fulfill one of my lifelong dreams (as you can see, I said “my” plans). However, knowing God, like I know Him because of past experiences, He’s already in the works of making something I didn’t even consider happen. Y’all, God is so good at what He does and so unpredictably strategic—so I am going to leave that whole matter alone and relax and keep doing what I need to do until He tells me otherwise. He is in control, and I know He loves me and will never lead me wrong. Even though I don’t always understand what He’s doing, I trust Him.

Before I end, please keep those suffering right now in your prayers. Last night, when I made my “Prayers” post, I didn’t want to mention the plane collision because the news was too new. I didn’t want to be the one to share the news if everyone hadn’t heard about it. It was devastating for me and so many more. I can only imagine how their loved ones felt, especially if they saw it play out almost in real-time on X. It was a lot! So, please keep them and everyone else in need of prayers in your prayers—which is probably all of us, but some more than others.🙏🏽

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for reading. I know it was long. I truly do appreciate you. My prayer for you is that God blesses and keeps you in His loving arms and at peace. May He soothe all of your hurts and calm your fears. Know that He’s always with you. Always. And He loves you, and I love you too. Have a wonderful day.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Hello Sunday

Good Morning!☀️
I pray you are doing well.

Saw this quote and thought I’d share it with my natural nurturers—those who can’t help but love on others and put them first.

“This year, your assignment is you. Water you.” – femalempire.co

As the quote says, we are the assignment this year and must water ourselves. Whatever we’ve poured into others in the past, we must now pour into ourselves. This doesn’t mean we’re being selfish or will love others any less. It just means we are making our purposes, dreams, and aspirations a priority so they can finally grow. It’s our time to flourish.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Water YOU.

hope

Hello Sunday

Good Morning!☀️

Lately, I have been a little more emotional than usual. It took me a minute to figure out why, and I finally have. A rebirth is happening. At least, that’s what it feels like.

Some may think what I’m about to say is weird, and it’s perfectly fine, but the timing of “The Six Triple Eight” movie and my daughter’s upcoming 30th birthday are so intertwined. The 30 years hit me while I was visiting her a week ago. Then, seeing the movie this weekend brought back memories of my experiences in the military around the time of her birth (almost 30 years ago) and the first few years of her life. Y’all, I’ve been crying nonstop this weekend. It feels like I am finally releasing everything I have held in for decades—the stress, uncertainties, and pressure I placed on myself to be a great mother to a child who did not ask to be here. I chose to bring her into this world, which meant I was responsible for making sure she always felt loved, protected, supported, and never like a burden. Those were the things I needed as a child, and I was determined to make sure she had them. And then the song “The Journey” by H.E.R. gets me every time I hear it. Y’all, these past 30 years have definitely been a journey.

Here’s what AI had to say about 30 years—

“It can be a turning point in a person’s life or a time when a historical event’s long-term effects can be seen. … It can be a time when someone realizes who they are, gains self-awareness.”

Whewwww… y’all, this is a lot.

I now realize that 30 years ago, I shut down part of my life to become the best mom I could be, and I know exactly when it happened. That’s a story for another time. Last week, I finally saw the woman my baby girl has become and know that my mission has been achieved. Now it’s time for me to live.


My life definitely changed 30 years ago, and I have absolutely no regrets—I never have. I just adjusted. Seeing my baby girl’s smile today lets me know all my sacrifices were worth it.

Here are two pictures… A lot can change in a year.

Squadron Christmas party in Germany (December 1993).
Squadron Christmas party in Florida (December 1994). Almost 9 months pregnant.

What a journey…

Thanks for allowing me space to exhale and release. I pray you have a glorious Sunday!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Hello Sunday

Good Morning☀️

Always remember who you are and Whose you are.

Originally shared on December 26, 2023.

Never forget YOU are God’s child—hand crafted and uniquely made—royalty. There’s no other like you. Remember who He created you to be and boldly walk in it.


I pray you have a beautiful Sunday. Again, boldly walk in who you are!

Love you!♥️

Shaun