Life

Praises Going Up

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

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

Life

Renaissance

Y’all!! I can’t begin to describe what I am feeling right now. Just came from seeing Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé. Listen, after attending her concert I was on a high, but this time… y’all, words can’t even express what I am feeling! I love it when I connect with people. When people view life as I do. Beyoncé is another one of those people who gets what life is really about. It’s about love, peace, freedom—the freedom to BE—and people (community). Yeah…I’m pretty much on an emotional high right now. Life is just beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

Boy, am I loving Year50.

Welcome to my renaissance!!!

Y’all, I’m here!!!

Good Night♥️

Shaun

Me being me because I am free to BE!!
Life

Praise the Lord

Singing—“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”

Praying you have a magnificent day. You deserve it!

Be Blessed♥️

Shaun

Life

The S.H.I.P.

Below is a message I just listened to. Not going to lie, today has been one of those days. Honestly, the past few weeks have been somewhat challenging, yet I am still here trusting God. Y’all, so many times I have wanted to take control and do things on my own. However, as soon as I would try, God would send a message or words of encouragement to let me know He’s still in control. He has things covered.

Here is the message I received today. I pray that it blesses you as much as it has me.

The Storm Has Its Purpose” by Pastor Rich Wilkerson, Jr.

Don’t give up. The storm has its purpose.♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello December

Hello December:

Please take it easy on me.
I have had some year.
Just want to end this year
with peace, love, and good cheer.
Please take it easy on me.

Wishing you peace, love, and good cheer. Have a blessed month.

Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

You Are Victorious

This post is for those currently experiencing setbacks, heartbreaks, and disappointments. Despite how dire life might seem at the moment, please know that your story is far from over. You cannot give up. You are so loved. Brighter days are ahead. Believe me, you will make it as you have many times before. There is no doubt that you will win!

As Pastor Joel Osteen would say, “You are the victor.” You will win as you always have. Remember, God’s got you!

I can hear Yolanda Adams singing, Victory. Can’t you? Smile

Love you.♥️

Shaun

Life

Which Lens Are You Looking Through?

I hope Facebook never does away with its “Memories” feature. For years now, it has been my source of inspiration, encouragement, smiles and much needed messages. Here is one I decided not to make public and only saved it as a reminder to myself. I was going to publish it but changed my mind. I knew what it meant to me then. Needed to see it again to reassess what it means to me today.

Facebook Memory: November 28, 2021

Reading Will Smith’s book WILL. Sooo many gems in this book. Here’s one I just had to share. Something to think about when making decisions.

“It’s amazing how skewed your vision can become when you see the present through the lens of your past.”

There’s no way we can move forward if our mindset is stuck in the past, or we continue to react to present situations based on past experiences.

Decided not to share this with anyone. Don’t believe they’d understand. However, I’m posting it privately so that it shows up in my memory next year.

Which lens are you/am I using to view the present? Are we looking through the lens of the past or the lens of the future? Something to really ponder on.

I have yet to read Jada Pinkett Smith’s book, but I did read Will Smith’s and LOVED it. So much of what he wrote resonated with me. I remember writing that we must have had the same zodiac sign or something (we don’t, I’m a cancer and he’s a libra). Then, after listening to Jada’s conversation with Jay Shetty, I was like maybe we are alike also. Maybe it was the era of when we were born, or being young adults in the 90s. I just view things a little differently than most.

See, this is the perfect example of how my year long celebration has been going. I’m tasked with an assignment/assessment of a situation that I need to deeply examine before moving forward. My decisions will set the stage or trajectory for my next 50+ years. Yeah…THIS is what I have been working with since turning 50. My jubilee year has not been the celebratory year I expected; however, it has been the year that my future self is dependent on.

That’s all I have to share at this moment. Not going to assess and decide today. Nope, this requires a lot of thought and assessing. I just needed to see it today. Trusting God for more affirmations, confirmations, and revelations. I am listening, God.

Anyhoo…Welcome to Shaun’s world! It’s deep. It’s complexed. It’s me. It’s who I am becoming. God has so many great things planned for my future. Stick around and see how it all plays out.

Shaun

Life

Smile

When you read the title, did you smile?

I hope so.

That was my intention.

If not…

Let me try again.

You are loved.

Did that work?

No…

Let me try this.

You are AWESOME!

That didn’t work either?

How about…

You make me smile.

Yeah…

I know that worked.

I felt your smile.

Now it’s your turn.

Make someone smile.

Smiles are free. Keep them going.

Enjoy your week!♥️

Shaun

Life

God’s Favor

God’s Favor by Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers
Lyrics: Genius.com

I know that you don’t feel your best
Hold on, Be strong
God’s not forgotten you
Broken dreams got you feeling blue
Hold on, be strong
God’s looking out for you
Just remember at the end of the day
The favor of God can open the way
God’s favor, is more precious than life
(God’s favor, more precious, than life, to me)
I know that you don’t feel up to the fight
Hold on, be strong
The battle is not up to you
Oh I hear you say, it just ain’t no way
Hold on, be strong
God’s got the final say
Just remember in the midst of your down
The favor of God can turn things around
God’s favor more precious than life
(God’s favor, more precious, than life, to me)
So what if doors are closed
God’s favor can bring high places down
I know that you’ve been faithful
And when God get’s ready to bless you
There is nothing no man can do
God’s favor, more precious than life

God’s favor is surrounding you. Embrace it. It’s already yours.♥️