Tag: hope

Life

Declare Victory and Focus on the Good

Shaun Bradford

Y’all, I am really considering bringing back my Wednesday Writings. I used to share so much…perhaps a little too much. Guess you can say it’s where I shared my most transparent moments and feelings. Below is one I shared last year on this date. When I say it’s so timely and right on point!

Yesterday, I wrote about the atmosphere shift I could feel taking place, and about staying rooted and grounded in God and most importantly staying covered. Well, last year I wrote about declaring victory not defeat. Baby, I was going through some things and I had to let the enemy know that NO WEAPON formed against me would prosper!!! And I took the advice I shared yesterday, I stayed rooted and grounded in God and allowed Him to lead. Here’s a little of what I shared.

Facebook Memory: December 21, 2022

Y’all, life happens and challenges come. Be sure to VERBALLY declare victory over the overwhelming. Yes, speak your victory into the universe and watch things change.♥️

Wednesday Writings
Speak it!

Listen, I was going through some things and at this moment, I am still going through a few things. Seems like you can never have the good without a little bit of bad or vice versa, you have the bad but there is always a little bit of good in each moment. My advice is to focus on the good, the positive. Focus on how great our God is. Y’all, He’s so good!! So very good. Honestly, I can barely remember what I was going through last year, but I know that whatever it was God handled it, and I know He will handle things again. I needed this memory. I am declaring victory over my life. What the enemy meant for harm will not prevail! My God is greater and mightier! Amen

Y’all, I cannot stress it enough, I am truly, truly blessed! I just love the way God loves me. He always provides exactly what I need when I need it. Forever grateful.

Thanks for reading. I pray that you are preparing for a peaceful and relaxing holiday break (those who have one), and spending the holidays with family and friends.

Be Blessed!♥️

Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

Feeling a bit nostalgic this morning so I decided to bring back Wednesday Writings for old time sake.

Life is so interesting. More interesting than we realize or care to admit. A few months ago, I mentioned how I could feel the atmosphere shifting, A Shift in the Atmosphere. I wrote:

“Not sure if it’s only happening in my life, but there is a shift happening. A huge shift in the atmosphere. Y’all, something big is taking place. I feel it with my entire being.”

I brushed it off as it happening because I had just turned 50. However, it’s so much more. Something major is happening.

Of course there was a huge shift after the onset of COVID-19, which was devastating. Sadly, I believe that was only the beginning. Storms are coming. Major storms. And I am not referring to the weather and natural disasters. I’m referring to spiritual storms. My advice, and what I am planning to do, is that you stay rooted and grounded in God. Drop your anchor and hold on. And please stay under God’s covering and protection. Please!

Y’all, I feel this shift is not meant to just cause harm but to destroy. Haven’t been able to shake this feeling for months, now it’s stronger than ever. Stay rooted, grounded and protected. As long as you stick with God, no matter how rough things become, you will win!

Please know that I am not trying to prophesy or anything of that nature. I am just writing what I feel so deeply within. Continuing to send prayers up. Praying that God keeps us protected from harm in all forms, as well as bring peace and relief to those already suffering.

I know this message was anything but encouraging or inspiring. However, what I have found to be true, no matter what is happening around me, even when I become anxious or worried, there is still a certain level of peace that never leaves me and I know it’s because I know I am covered by God. Amen

I’m going to go ahead and end here. Although storms are coming, and some of you may already be in storms, know that God loves you and He’s got you. Never doubt His love. You will always find it in the beauty, light, and positive energy that surrounds you.

Love you.♥️

Shaun

Release control and allow God to lead. He’s got you.
Life

How Dedicated Are You?

Shaun Bradford

When was the last time you stopped and asked yourself if you were actually dedicated to the process or just going with the flow? Here’s what I shared last year about dedication.

Facebook Memory: December 19, 2022

Dedication (Merriam-Webster): Self-sacrificing devotion and loyalty

Whew!! What a definition! Listen, dedication requires heart and commitment. If your heart isn’t in it, consider letting it go. However, if your heart is there, STICK WITH IT!♥️

Do you have the heart for it?

Listen, that definition is not for the weak! As I wrote several blogs ago, it’s decluttering time. Before we move into 2024, it is so very important that we stop and think about where our dedication lies, then adjust as needed. Make adjustments according to the bigger picture, not the present moment. Per my daughter, “What are we carrying that is not useful?” Additionally, if it does not bring you peace—LET IT GO!

Just something to ponder on during the next few days of 2023. 2024 is all about peace.

Be Blessed♥️

Shaun

Life

There’s Still Time To Make Memories

Shaun Bradford

There are only two weeks left in 2023! Be sure to spend them doing something fun and meaningful including making beautiful memories with family and friends. Love you!♥️

Enjoy!
Life

Only Two Weeks Left in 2023

Shaun Bradford

Y’all, we are only two weeks away from the glorious 2024! Yes, I am referring to it as glorious because 6/24 is my birthday month as well as my 51st birthday. How cool is that! Looking forward to every wonderful thing God has planned for me. It’s going to be a great year!

Here’s a caption from one of last year’s Facebook memories along with the Hello Sunday post I shared with it.

Facebook Memory: December 18, 2022

Only 2 weeks left in 2022!🎉

Whatever happened or didn’t happen this year, was meant to be. If you’re human like me, I know you celebrated your wins, even the small ones. But your losses, disappointments and setbacks… How did you cope – or attempt to cope – when things didn’t quite go as planned?

Me– I leaned on God a little more. I’m so grateful for His love, mercy and grace.♥️

Hello Sunday
There is nothing comparable to God’s love, mercy, and grace. He’s so amazing.

Y’all, self-love is everything, but God’s love will always, always, always reign supreme. I just love the way He loves me. If you do not already have a strong relationship with God, I suggest you build one. There is absolutely nothing like it—nothing like it! I cannot stress it enough, I am truly blessed.

Praying you have a peacefully, blessed week. Whatever goals you set for 2023 can still happen! Don’t let the countdown to the new year stop you from achieving as much as you can. You got this!

Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Trust God

Shaun Bradford

Life is forever lifing. No matter what comes and what goes, God is always in control. Trust Him.♥️ ~Shaun

Never stop praying. Never stop believing. God’s got you.♥️

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Happy Sunday, y’all!

Since I began posting twice or more a day, I have not had much to write about on Sundays. Sundays used to be my spill day. Now I share all week long. Maybe I need to redefine what I share on Sundays. Maybe I will make it a theme day. I don’t know. We have two Sundays left in 2023, which means I have a little over two weeks to decide if I am going to give you a different “Hello Sunday.” Since I am switching things up for Year50, I might as well switch it up too.

By the way, I will be 50 1/2 (smile) next Sunday! Will give you an update on how the past month and last six months have gone. Just know that God is still working on me. Baby, I feel like I have been in some kind of spiritual boot camp. I guess this is what a jubilee year actually feels like. It’s the part no one mentions.

Anyhoo… here is a little something I wrote in my journal entry on December 17, 2014, which is quite indicative of my oh so wonderful jubilee experience. Can’t you feel the sarcasm? But hey, it is my world, right? Don’t know why I expected different. Laughing

Journal Entry: December 17, 2014

Remember God works in the supernatural! Facts vs Faith. Choose faith!

Guess I was hyping myself up! Laughing. Most of my life I have chosen faith over facts. Yes, way before I had the relationship I now have with God. Doing so has always drove realists and pessimists crazy. Y’all, I cannot help it. It’s in me. Not saying I do not have doubts—because I do have doubts—but faith always win. Always! So why change now? Nah…won’t do it. Cannot afford to. I must continue to choose faith, even if it seems like Crazy Faith, as Pastor Mike Todd calls it.

This is all for now. Thank you for reading. I pray you have a lovely Sunday.

Be Blessed♥️

Shaun

Life

Keep Smiling

Shaun Bradford

When I hear the phrase “keep smiling,” I instantly hear Dionne Warwick follow up with “keep shining, knowing you can always count on me for sure. That’s what friends are for.”

The song, That’s What Friends Are For, goes on to say—

“For good times and bad times I’ll be on your side forever more. That’s what friends are for.”

You are loved.♥️

Shaun

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