Tag: Life

Life happens. Go with the flow.

hope

My Journey With God, No. 45

Shaun Bradford

While looking through an old notebook that I was using as a journal and as a study guide (not sure why I was using one notebook for both😩), I found a letter I had written but never sent to my sister. Here’s a snippet of what I wrote.

30 January 1993

At the time, I was 19 years old and stationed at Ramstein AB, Germany. Y’all, I was just a baby. However, even back then, I made note of gems that I still live by today:

  1. True happiness can only be found within. (Thanks, Master Splinter)
  2. God will place us where we desire to be, but it’s our responsibility to make things happen. (A good one, right?!)
  3. Life isn’t easy… but it’s so worth living.

As I mentioned in the letter, I was where I had always dreamed of being, but I wasn’t doing anything with the opportunity I had been given. Looking back, I realize no one in my circle had the same or similar goals or dreams. So, instead of venturing out and doing my own thing, I adapted to their world. From what I had written—“I don’t have any goals anymore.”—I believe I had lost hope.

How sad…

But very eye opening.

It’s so important that we surround ourselves with like-minded people or our dreams and aspirations will suffer. Or…we must be strong enough to venture out and do our own thing to keep our dreams alive.

Life is interesting and God is good.

Forever grateful for His wisdom and love.♥️

Shaun

hope

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!☀️

Can you believe we’ve already reached the end of 2024?! This year flew by, but by the grace of God, we’re still here! Hallelujah, we are still here.🙏🏽

On December 29, 2021, I shared—

“Your next chapter will be AMAZING! Receive it. Speak it – “My next chapter will be AMAZING!” Own it!”

I’m smiling because I spoke it, received it, and now I’m owning it. I’m not sure when I stopped viewing my life as chapters in a book. Maybe it was during or after the COVID pandemic, or maybe it was last year, my Year 50. All I know is I haven’t thought about another chapter or looked forward to something AMAZING in years. I don’t have to because I’m already living in it. My life is already AMAZING—it just keeps getting better!

Y’all, I am absolutely loving this side of 50! Thank You, Lord, for making this side different and better than I ever imagined.

Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with viewing your life in the context of chapters. As you can see, I also did. However, I’ve reached a point where I try to find the AMAZING in everyday moments instead of waiting for it to miraculously show up in the future. Life is just too precious and short to keep waiting for something amazing to happen when it’s already happening now. Just look around and you’ll see it. Then, once you see it, receive it and own it. It’s yours!

That’s all I have for you now. Wishing you an AMAZING, relaxing Sunday.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

The Time Is Now!

Shaun Bradford

That’s how I ended my journal entry on December 28, 2014—“The time is now!!”

I wrote—

“2015 is only days away, am I ready? This is a must, not a want!! Get moving Shaun. Let God be your guide. I know you feel lost but you got this. The time is now!!”

I just love reading past journal entries. I swear they were written for me today. Baby, if no one else was going to motivate me, I was definitely going to motivate myself.

Today, I’m only days from 2025—I can’t believe it’s been ten years! Unlike ten years ago, I no longer feel lost or unsure about being ready. Nope, not this time. This time, I’m ready, moving, and God is guiding my every step. This time, the time is now!!

Ain’t God alright?!

Beyond Blessed♥️

Shaun

hope

Jesus

Shaun Bradford

Singing Tasha Cobbs Leonard’s, “Break Every Chain.” The song says—

“There is power in the name of Jesus. There is power in the name of Jesus. There is power in the name of Jesus. To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain. To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain.”

Then, the song goes on to say—

“There’s an army rising up. There’s an army rising up. There’s an army rising up. To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain. To break every chain, break every chain, break every chain.”

If you didn’t know, or in case you’ve forgotten, there is power in the name of Jesus. Yes, in his name, and his name alone. And it’s breaking strongholds and chains. If you haven’t used it in a while. Use it!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Keep Smiling

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!☀️

For a few days now, “Smile, you are loved” has been the message. And you are loved, so smile. However, there are also other reasons to smile. For one, God has your back. You can always count on Him. Another is that He provided you with the Holy Spirit to be your personal guide, confidant, and intercessor, and He has placed angels around you for your protection. All reasons to smile. Also, if you are reading this, I believe it’s safe to say you’ve been blessed with the gift of sight.

I said all this to say there’s always a reason to smile. So smile.

Oh…and your smile might be the reason someone else smiles.

So, again, smile.🥰

I pray you have a wonderful day and beautiful weekend.♥️

Love you always,

Shaun

Originally shared on December 28, 2021, with the lyrics from “That’s What Friends Are For” by Dionne Warwick –
“Keep smiling. Keep shining. Knowing you can always count on me, for sure. That’s what friends are for.”