Tag: hope

Life

Yes, I Am Here

Shaun Bradford

Y’all, I finally got to see the 2023 version of the movie The Color Purple and I absolutely loved it!! If you have not seen it yet but have seen the original movie, play or read the book, I suggest you go in prepared to have a new experience. It was wonderful! And Fantasia! Listen, Fantasia did that!! I felt every word of the song “I’m Here.”

As 2023 ends and 2024 rolls in, I want the universe to know, Baby, I am here!!! Yessss…. I’m here!

I’m Here by Fantasia
Lyrics: LyricFind

I don’t need you to love me
I’ve got my sister, I can’t feel her now
She may not be here, but she’s still mine
‘n I know, she still loves me
I’ve got my children, I can’t hold them now
They may not be here, but they still mine
‘n I know
I know I still love them
Hey
Got my house
It still keeps the cold out
Got my chair
When my body can’t hold out
Got my hands doin things like they s’post to
Showing my heart to the folks that I’m close to
I got my eyes though they don’t see as far now
They see more ’bout how things really are now
I’m gonna take a deep breath
Hey
I’m gonna hold my head up
Gonna put my shoulders back
And look you straight in the eye
I’m gonna flirt with somebody
When they walk by
I’m gonna sing out
Sing out yeah
I believe I have inside of me
Everything that I need to live a bountiful life
With all the love inside of me
I’ll stand as tall as the tallest tree
And I’m thankful for each day that I’m given
Both the easy and the hard ones I’m livin’
But most of all
Yes I’m thankful for lovin’ who I really am
I’m beautiful
Yes I’m beautiful
And I’m here
Yes you are, you are here.

Life

Stay Humble

Shaun Bradford

Shared this message last year and thought it was worth sharing it again this year and every year from here on—

The new year (2024) is loading…
Stay humble.🙏🏽♥️

I can humbly say that every blessing I have is due to God. He’s the source. The only source. All credit, honor, and praise belongs to Him, not me. Amen.

Keep God first. He is the source of every blessing you have. Acknowledge Him. Honor Him. Praise Him. We must remember that as much as we would love to believe this is our world, it’s actually God’s. (Smile) Wishing you a peacefully, blessed day!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Go With The Flow

Shaun Bradford

Life is interesting. It can change at the drop of a hat. The way we decide to respond sets the course for all subsequent events.

Had one thing planned for the day, then one text set things in a different direction. My first thought was to try to find other solutions, then I heard “Don’t fight it, just go with the flow.” Nothing was stopping me from doing so. Nothing. Instead of trying to figure out how I would reschedule things, I decided to let things be.

Forget the plan. Don’t fight against where God is taking you. He’s in control. Allow Him to lead.♥️ ~Shaun

Let go and let God.♥️
Life

You Are Enough

Shaun Bradford

Just a friendly reminder—YOU are enough. Never doubt yourself. Never doubt what God has placed inside of you. Never doubt who He created you to be. At this very moment, with all that you lack or have, YOU are enough.♥️

Yes…YOU.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Friendships

Shaun Bradford

In a few hours I will be picking up my bestie of 48 years from the airport. This will be our first time seeing each other in person this year. I’m so excited! She will only be here for a day, but any time with her is always wonderful. I can’t wait to see her! God knew I needed this.

Friendships…

Lately, my circle of friends has become smaller. I guess I should now refer to it as tiny. Yeah, 2023 has been some year. Most of the ones I have now I have had for decades. Thankfully they are not fair-weather friends. They can actually stand the rain. Hmm…Now I have to listen to Johnny Gill’s “Fairweather Friend,” or New Edition’s “Can You Stand The Rain” or any JG or NE/BBD (because now I’m hearing “When Will I See You Smile Again”) song for that matter. Laughing. Baby, I can go on and on with the songs. I am NE4Life!!

Anyhoo…As always, my Facebook memories are so timely. Although I shared this song a week or so ago in another post, I also shared it two years ago.

Facebook Memory: December 28, 2021

“Keep smiling. Keep shining. Knowing you can always count on me, for sure. That’s what friends are for.” Dionne Warwick

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

Today’s going to be a great day! I pray you have a strong circle of friends or at least one true friend. Friendships are so important. Wishing you a wonderful day! Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Love Is…

Shaun Bradford

Facebook Memory: December 27, 2021

Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13:4

Took me a while to figure this out and actually name the source of my pain. So glad I did.

When I reshared the post, I added–

Love does not hurt.
Embrace it. Bask in it.
Give love and be loved.

Also on December 27th (2014), I reshared God’s Fruit (Facebook page) post–

Let’s make today about love. I would say everyday, but one day at a time is a good start.

Yes, let’s be intentional about spreading love.

I will start…

I love you, unconditionally!♥️

Shaun

Updated to add…

As someone once said, unconditional love is not unconditional tolerance. Please know the difference. You can love someone unconditionally from afar. You do not have to tolerate the disrespect, hate, and/or harm. Please don’t! Also, don’t let your heart grow cold. A cold heart stops you from receiving and giving unconditional love.

Life

Grateful

Shaun Bradford
Gratitude is key.

Hezekiah Walker’s song, “Grateful,” 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

Flowing from my heart is gratefulness. There is so much I have to be grateful for including still being here. Every day on earth is an opportunity to witness God’s glory. So often we miss it because we are looking for it in something grand. Today, I encourage you to be intentional about seeing God’s glory, even in the simplest of things.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Merry Christmas!

Shaun Bradford

This Facebook memory is actually from last Christmas Eve. Couldn’t decide whether to share it yesterday or today so I decided to schedule it for midnight. Smile

December 24, 2022: No amount of money will ever bring the love and joy you bring; and NO materialistic gift can ever replace your presence. You have spent countless hours searching for the perfect gift not realizing that YOU ARE IT. You ARE the perfect gift.♥️

Wishing you much love, joy and peace. May today be just as wonderful as you are.♥️ ~Shaun

Life

My Relationship With God

Shaun Bradford

Have you ever written an entire book (exaggerating) only to not publish it? Well, I just did. I know I wrote a good chapter describing my relationship with God starting with when I was an adult-child (yes, adult-child—smoking, shoplifting, etc. …heavy on the etc.) getting saved at eight years old; to my life as a sanctified teenager who went to church almost every day; to being a young adult who only called on God when needed; to completely ignoring Him in my 30s; to building the bond I currently have with Him now. Hmmm… I guess I could have written it like this the first time. Oh well…

As you can see, my relationship with God started decades ago. Thankfully, what began in fear (of going to hell) is now a relationship of reverence and awe. Y’all, up until this past decade, I did not know a relationship like this was even possible. As Kierra Sheard’s song, Indescribable, goes–

Indescribable, uncontainable
You place the stars in the sky and you know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Although we are here to fulfill a specific purpose in the world, we are also here to glorify God; to worship and to praise Him. Y’all, He loves our praises.

God, You are so amazing!

Keep the praises going.♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Happy 50 years 6 months to me!!! Yes…I am 50 1/2 years old and beyond grateful to see this day. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine living this long. I never dreamt of age 50. As a child, 50 was old and who as a child dreamed of being old? I know I didn’t. If I can remember, most of my dreams were centered around my 20s and early 30s. Now, lo and behold, I am over 50! How awesome is that! Y’all, God is absolutely amazing!

As always, my Facebook memories are sooo timely. This memory from two years ago nicely sums up the last six months of my celebration.

Facebook Memory: December 24, 2021

Here is a quote from Michelle Obama’s “Becoming.” I believe questioning our worth is a natural part of our growth process. Whenever we take on new tasks, or decide to move beyond our comfort zone, part of us wonder, “Am I good enough?” Well, I am here to tell you that you are. You are good enough and you are more than equipped to handle whatever comes your way. You got this!

Yes, I am enough. I am continuously evolving and becoming the woman God created me to be.♥️

Over the past six months, I have had some very interesting experiences. Experiences that had me questioning God’s intentions. Had me asking more questions than I have ever asked Him before to include am I equipped to handle situations. And y’all, I have encountered some really interesting situations since turning 50. Listen, when I asked for this side of 50 to be completely different from the last, I had no idea what I was asking for (laughing), but God did. Shaking my head. My life and its adventures…

As I wrote two years ago—which I now know was a message for my future self—I am good enough. I am more than equipped to handle whatever comes my way. I’ve got this!

As I write, I cannot help but smile and praise God because I am truly blessed. Y’all, I am 50 1/2 years old and still here and healthy and loved. My babies are well and flourishing. My siblings and their families are all healthy and happy. My friends and family are still here. What more could I ask for. Again, I am so very blessed.

I have six more months left in my jubilee year. I do not know what’s to come; however, I do know that whatever comes God is good and I am covered. Y’all, God’s covering is everything. And His peace!!! Listen, there is none like it. You better get you some!

I pray you have a beautifully, blessed Sunday. Love you, always.♥️

Shaun