Tag: hope

Life

Forever Grateful

Shaun Bradford

Saw this memory and had to share. Listen, when I speak about God’s goodness and love, believe me it is coming from a place of complete gratitude. I don’t praise Him for things I desire but for the blessings He has already given me. Maybe this is the reason I am always emotional and intentionally grateful. Y’all, I am so very blessed.

Facebook Memory: December 8, 2019

One more post. Another testimony.

A few days ago I wrote about purchasing a car two weeks before going to see the Odedes. Almost a year later, to the date (December 8, 2016), that car was totaled.

The entire undercarriage was damaged. I still experience back pain and it’s been seven years.

You know how God shows you things before they happen. Well, that’s what happened on that evening. I was driving home from work when the thought crossed my mind, “What if someone hits me?” Honestly, I wasn’t in my right state of mind. I was thinking about all of my problems. Earlier that year, I had taken another job where I took a huge pay cut. Bills were due. I was frustrated because I was still married after almost two years of being separated. I was miserable. So, for a moment, I was like, what if… (kind of hard to admit this was my train of thought). Nothing happened at that moment. However, not even 30 minutes later, someone hit me.

It was so unexpected. I never saw the car coming. I was so focused on my problems and getting home. The lady ran the red light and hit me. It was like a dream. No.. it was like I was watching a movie. I remember getting out of the car and an off duty police officer helping me, telling me I needed to wait on an ambulance. I was trying to go see if the other person was okay. I’m so happy the airbag didn’t deploy because I probably wouldn’t be here.

After my accident, I became more grateful. I believe I was putting the hashtag “ForeverGrateful” on EVERY post. Only God knew how grateful I was, and still am. No matter how tough things get, I don’t want to leave this world before my time. I don’t even want the thought to cross my mind. I know I’m here for a reason. As for the car, it served its purpose. Y’all, please don’t take life for granted.

I had saved this quote on the day of the accident. Had no idea what was coming. God is so good!

PLEASE be mindful of what you think and speak. Y’all, our thoughts and voice have power. Believe me, I know life gets hard and may seem unbearable at times, but please hang in there. You matter. Your life matters. I would have missed out on so much had I not lived. So, when y’all see me writing about how blessed I am, I referring to the gift of life and my two hearts (my babies). Y’all, I am still here.

I am truly, truly blessed.♥️

Shaun

Life

Life Goes On

Shaun Bradford

Be careful not to let your current situation stop you from pursuing your dreams. They say things always seem to get worse before they get better, and I can attest to that. Been through so much over my lifetime. Every time I was about to give up, God came through. He did it for me and I know He will do it for you.

Remember, this is only one small part of your story. As long as you are living, your story continues, and life goes on. God’s got you (and me too).

Just hold on! I promise you great things are coming.

Be Blessed!♥️

Shaun

Life

Quick Post

Shaun Bradford

Just wanted to share what I am feeling in this present moment.

I am feeling a bit:

Anxious.

Scared.

Excited.

Hopeful.

Empowered.

I feel like I am finally coming into my purpose and becoming the woman God created me to be.

If you have been following me for some time, you know that I resigned from my job almost three years ago without any real plan in place. The first big opportunity I thought I had fell through within weeks after I resigned. This left me at ground zero trying to regroup and figure things out. Well, I am still trying to figure things out. When I tell you this has been some journey! I have had so many more losses than wins. Most of the time I feel like I am all over the place and it is mostly because nothing has seemed to work out as I envisioned. It has finally dawned on me that I have been operating as an employee and not the CEO. I have not really put myself out there because putting myself out there opens up a whole world that I have tried to avoid. Life was good when I could attach my name to some other organization. Now, the only name is my own.

Y’all, every day life becomes more and more interesting. Welcome to my world!

This is Year50

Shaun

Life

Friendly Reminder: Keep Going!

Shaun Bradford

Here is a friendly reminder that you must keep going. Listen, you have come too far and been through too much to give up now. As my fav said a year ago, focus on one step at a time.

Facebook Memory: December 6, 2022

Gotta keep going!♥️

I don’t know about you but I can hear Mary Mary singing, “Can’t Give Up Now.”

Keep going!♥️

Shaun

Life

Praises Going Up

Shaun Bradford

The saying goes, “When praises go up, blessings come down.” Yessss!

I know you felt that because I sure did. Listen, I’m sending up praises as I write, not only for myself, but for everyone connected to me, including YOU. Yes, praises are going up for you!♥️

I got you covered.

Keep those praises going! You never know who you are blessing.

Shaun

Life

My Story Continues

Shaun Bradford

Here are two more Facebook memories I wanted to share before this day ended. They are my annual reminders that where I am today is not where I am meant to stay. As long as I am breathing, there will always be more to my story.

Facebook Memory: December 4, 2019

Good Morning! Here’s today’s social media find. I’m in tears, y’all. This was three years ago during one of my lowest moments, and a few days before my car accident. Whew! It was posts like this that kept me going. When I couldn’t see my way, I would always find words of encouragement through social media. I’m so grateful I made it through those tough times. I’m here. I’m still standing. What was meant to break me, didn’t work.💃🏽

Originally shared on December 4, 2016

Facebook Memory: December 4, 2020

Blessed.
Humbled.
Grateful.

I entered 2020 without any expectations. I was tired of expecting things to happen only to be disappointed at the end of the year. This year I decided to allow God to lead. What I discovered is when He leads, AMAZING things happen!

I’m so grateful to be a contributing author in the Finally Free anthology. I’m so thankful for my Finally Free family. I have always believed in divine connections. I know God has placed me where I am at this specific moment in time, with this group of authors, for a specific purpose. For His purpose. He’s so intentional, y’all! It didn’t happen two or three years ago when I thought I was ready. It happened now, in the midst of a pandemic! HOW AWESOME!! He just amazes me! Y’all, I’m so thankful I allowed God to lead.

What a difference a year makes. My brother had just passed away in October 2019, and I was in a funk. I was disappointed, heartbroken, and felt hopeless. I really didn’t want to see or hear anything about expecting great things in the new year. Then, 2020 came and flipped everyone’s life upside down. By the time I was asked to do the anthology, I was just happy to feel normal again. Y’all, God is so good. He knew exactly what I needed to keep me going.

As I mentioned in my previous post, life never really happens as we envision it to; however, it always happens according to God’s plan and in our favor. This year I am without my mom. To be honest, everything feels like déjà vu. However, unlike four years ago, I am going into 2024 expecting great things to happen.

That’s all for now. Wishing you a good night.♥️

Shaun