Tag: my journey

hope

My Strength vs God’s Strength

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

How are you?

I hope and pray you’re doing well.🌸

Philippians 4:12–13

12. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

13. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

The song I’m hearing as I write is Whitney Houston’s “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.” The song says—

I thought I’d never make it through
I had no hope to hold on to, I
I thought I would break

I didn’t know my own strength
And I crashed down, and I tumbled
But I did not crumble
I got through all the pain
I didn’t know my own strength
Survived my darkest hour
My faith kept me alive
I picked myself back up
Hold my head up high
I was not built to break
I didn’t know my own strength

I thought I’d never find my way
I thought I’d never lift that weight
I thought I would break

I didn’t know my own strength…

Lyrics: LyricFind

You know how sometimes you need a release and don’t know you need one. Well, I guess that time is now because the tears are flowing. I have no idea where they’re coming from. At this moment, I’m exhaling and leaning on God’s strength. I’ve been leaning on my strength for much too long and I’m tired. It’s funny because I hadn’t realized that I was doing it. I thought I was relying on God’s strength, but for a while it’s been mine. Today, I’m letting go. I’m releasing everything into God’s hands. Amen

Whose strength are you relying on? Yours or God’s?

I pray it’s God’s. Rest in Him and let Him be your strength.

I pray you have an exceptionally blessed day. May God grant you peace, love, and joy.♥️

I love you,

Shaun

hope

Three More Weeks!

Shaun Bradford
I’m almost 52!!☺️✨🥰

Lately, I have been intentionally stepping outside my comfort zone, doing new things, and meeting new people. I’m absolutely loving this space over 50. I will be 52 in exactly three weeks.

God is so good.

I am truly, truly blessed.🥰

Shaun

hope

June 2, 2019

Shaun Bradford

Since I began the day with a memory from June 2nd, I thought I’d end with one.

Here is what I shared on June 2, 2019.

This photo was taken at Dooky Chase’s restaurant in New Orleans in February 2018.
Taken in October 2014

You will probably see the second picture every year because meeting Marcus Samuelsson and Leah Chase was like God’s hand touching my heart and soul. I had never experienced anything like it before. I simply said I wanted to meet them, and maybe a month or less later, I was with them. After thinking about what I shared in my first post of the day, “June 2, 2014,” I believe that trip set everything into motion. (See my previous post, “June 2, 2014.”)

Anyhoo…

I wish I could have sat down with Chef Leah Chase just one more time, but it never happened. Today, I spent the day with my 83-year-old retired Air Force friend (she’ll be 84 in September). I just love being in her presence. Listening to her reminisce about her earlier years and recent adventures (she loves to travel) makes me smile.

My heart is full.🥰

I hope you had a lovely day, and pray you have a restful night.♥️

Love you always,

Shaun

hope

June 2, 2014

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

How are you?

I pray you’re doing wonderful!🌺

June 2, 2014 at 6:59 AM

I wish I knew what I was thinking at that very moment. I wonder if I had caught a glimpse of my future. I was in New Orleans getting ready for Day Two of my culinary experience. Actually, it was a culinary media training where I was being trained to speak in front of a camera while preparing food. Even though I still haven’t done much with the training, it was a great experience, and I met some wonderful people.

I really do love my life.

I didn’t write anything in my journal on that day; however, when I returned home, I wrote:

“New Orleans was definitely a great professional experience. I came back with a sense of worth. I felt like I could actually accomplish my goals. I now have a different outlook on life & my role in this universe. I am destined for greatness & there’s nothing wrong with it. Thank you God for helping me realize my potential.”

Wow! So many gems in that statement. What an interesting, roller coaster ride of an eleven years it has been, and now I’m here. Here in this time and space. What will I do with it?

Well, that’s all for now. I pray you have a great day and wonderfully blessed week.

I love you!♥️

Shaun

hope

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

How are you?

I pray that you’re well.🌸

By the way—Welcome to my Birthday Month!😌🎉

For those who don’t know, I LOVE celebrating my birthdays, and I usually celebrate the entire month of June. So, if you don’t like people being extra, you may need to mute me because I tend to celebrate any and everything. Lol. Listen, if a butterfly happens to cross my path and I smile (all it takes is a smile), baby, that’s God’s gift to me and ONLY me.☺️ Yeah… prepare to be sick of me.

I love life.

I love my birthdays.

And I absolutely love my God.

Now that I’m getting older, every day and every year I’m alive feels more and more special. Just knowing that I am still here, and that I am surrounded by love, makes my heart sing praises to my God. Father, I thank You.🙏🏽

The theme I chose for Year51 was “Beyond Blessed,” and I am blessed. I am truly, truly blessed. I’m not sure what this coming year’s theme will be. I still have a few weeks to come up with something. Until then, I hope you’ll stick around and celebrate my month with me. And to everyone celebrating a birthday in June—Happy Birthday Month to YOU! Let’s celebrate!!🎉

I pray you have the most amazing day! May it be filled with pure, unconditional love, indescribable peace, and an abundance of joy. YOU deserve it!♥️

I love you,

Shaun

hope

Never Settle For Less Than God’s Best

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

How are you?

I hope you’re doing fabulous!🌸

This Facebook memory from three years ago has me smiling.

“YOU are worthy of God’s absolute best. You don’t have to settle for less.”

When I look back over my adulthood, I can list times when I settled for “good enough.” That job was “good enough” because it paid the bills. That relationship was “good enough” because I didn’t have to be alone—but I felt lonely (Whew!). My life was “good enough” because wanting more meant stretching myself and becoming uncomfortable.

I’m smiling because I can see how my life has changed over the past few years, especially since turning 50. That’s when I stopped settling for “good enough” and began striving for THE BEST—the best for ME. Now, my “best” may not be your idea of the best, and that’s okay. For a long time, I made decisions based on what others thought was best for me, leaving me feeling miserable. Y’all, trying to live up to other people’s expectations will drain you mentally as well as physically. Believe me, you breathe a lot easier when you dance to the beat of your own drums. PLUS, I don’t know about you, but God won’t let me settle for less than His best. He just won’t.

Today is the last day of May, which is significant in so many ways. For me, it’s the day that one cycle ends and another begins. Tomorrow, I enter my 52nd birthday month. Praying that God graces me with immeasurable favor and that He blocks every weapon meant to hinder or destroy me or my progression. May He cover me with His love and surround me with His peace and joy. Amen

Repeating my affirmation from three years ago (please feel free to do the same):

“I am worthy. Yes, ME. I am worthy of God’s best.”

I pray you have a wonderfully blessed day. May God’s love and peace surround you and your family.♥️

I love you,

Shaun