praise

When I created this blog site, I created it with the intent of sharing a bit of my world with the world. Well, most of my world is my relationship with God. Y’all, I’m still on that note and the past 10 years. When I tell you my life has drastically changed. I used to wonder why people told the same story about overcoming hardships over and over again. They say it’s good for business, and is. However, I see mine a little differently. To me, it’s my opportunity to acknowledge and praise the greatness of God. Y’all, His grace and love are unmatched.

After I shared my last post, I realized those 10 years were so much more than my obedience. They were about me rekindling my relationship with God. A relationship I began at eight years old, and one that I took very seriously when I became a teenager. Then, after I thought I had let God down, it began to fall apart. I was so ashamed of myself for not resisting temptation. Honestly, I’m not sure why I thought I had to be a perfect Christian. It’s funny how I gave grace to everyone else except myself. Then, when life happened to me, I didn’t give it to myself. I always reference my marriage because it was during that time when my relationship with God basically ended (nothing to do with my ex, I actually hindered his worship). Now, don’t get me wrong, I knew God was still God, but I felt like I had lost all privileges to communicate with Him. I knew I had entered something sacred and knew I shouldn’t have. I was just so disappointed with my life and God not stopping me from making the first mistake I made. I mean, He was God, right? So, why didn’t He stop me?! Y’all, I’m just being completely honest and transparent about how I felt. It wasn’t until much later, during that four year long divorce process, that I realized I had been punishing myself for years. Those crazy decisions I made were punishment because I felt I did not deserve better. And y’all, all that time God was loving me.

So, when I say that things make me a bit emotional, or I am forever praising God for one thing or another, it’s because I am no longer in that bondage I had created for myself. Y’all, I’m actually free!!

All praises to God!

Okay, this time I’m done for real. Just had to share my testimony. Listen, there’s nothing like being mentally and spiritually free.

God is so good!♥️

Shaun

hope

Indescribable

September 21, 2024 Shaun Bradford

I just love the gems I find in past journal entries. Here’s a snippet of what I wrote on September 21, 2017.

I’m listening to “Indescribable.” God’s so AMAZING. This is how I’m feeling. He loves me despite my mess or how many times I mess up.

On this particular day, after trying to do things on my own, and basically making matters worse, I had finally stopped and asked God for help. And, according to my entry, He worked everything out instantly, and it was better than what I was attempting to do myself. I had written that I didn’t know why I continued to do things on my own, and I heard God say it was because I didn’t believe He could or would do it. I had made mess after mess and then was too ashamed to ask Him for help. But despite how many times I made a mess of things, He so graciously and lovingly cleaned them up.

I am forever grateful God allowed me multiple opportunities to get things right. Because, y’all, in some areas I kept failing the test. However, He didn’t give up on me. Sitting here in tears because the following year, after passing multiple tests, I began to see the fruits of my obedience and willingness to allow Him to lead. Whew!

Listen, Indescribable, that’s Who He is!

As Kierra Sheard sings (Indescribable)—

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.

Y’all, He’s so amazing!

Be Blessed♥️

Shaun

hope

Hello Sunday

July 28, 2024 Shaun Bradford

Hello! I’m hoping you’re doing well. I realize I haven’t greeted you in ages, which is pretty rude of me. It’s like me walking into a room and not speaking, or waking up and not saying “Good Morning.” Please forgive me for not acknowledging you before sharing my thoughts. I promise to do better and not only let you know you are loved at the end, but that your presence is appreciated at the beginning.

So, while looking for inspiration for this post, I found this prayer in one of my “Wednesday Writings” (July 21, 2021). It is one I haven’t said in a while or been mindful of. Here it is —

“I pray that I recognize and accept the opportunities He [God] sends my way. I pray fear does not stop me from moving forward. I pray God gives me the strength– mentally, spiritually and physically– to endure this task.”

I ended it with —

“I know God’s got me, but do I have myself?”

Hmmm…

That was a great question. Did I have myself? Well, I thought I did, and to some extent I did. However, I was still working through a lot of stuff. One of which was learning to put myself first. To stop overlooking my needs, desires, and feelings to appease others. That was in 2021. Today, I can’t say I am 100% there; however, I am pretty close (95-98%). Had to get over the guilt of feeling selfish. The interesting part is the ones who mattered the most, my two hearts, were the ones urging me to take care of myself, first. Maybe they are actually the reason for my growth. I just love them and the way they love me. I guess I said all of that to say, “Yes, I got me!”

I also found another gem in the post (besides the prayer). I was celebrating my continual days of writing. Here’s what I wrote —

“I’m on my 67th day of continuous blogging and refuse to stop until I reach 100 days.”

100 days…

100 days was my goal…

Y’all, I’m in tears! Today makes 1170 days of continuous blogging. And to think I was only trying to make it to 100. Back then I was struggling to post once a day. Now, I’m posting at least twice a day, and not only on this platform but others. Yep… I’m crying. I had no idea of what I was capable of. It may not seem significant to you but it’s huge to me. These are my 1170 blue hearts.💙

I’m going to go ahead and end here because I’m crying (tears of praise and gratitude) too much to keep writing. Praying you have a wonderful Sunday. ♥️

Love you always,

Shaun

hope

Quality Time With God

July 27, 2024 Shaun Bradford

How many of you can honestly say that the time you spend with God is of high quality?

Well, sadly, I can’t. Even when my main focus should be on Him, it always somehow ends up on me. Me and my life and my needs. Below is one the “Wednesday Writings” from July 27, 2022. I decided to share it in its entirety instead of only adding the link. It’s my reminder to get my priorities straight and start giving God kind of time He more than deserves.

“Wednesday Writings” July 27, 2022

Today, I am beginning a little late. Decided everything else could wait. I needed to spend some quality time with God. Do not get me wrong, I talk to God all day long; however, while I’m talking, I’m also doing a million other things. So if my focus is not solely on God can I truly say I’m spending time with Him? Hmm…

Well, I began today a bit differently. In stead of me doing a lot of talking– asking a thousand questions and trying to figure things out– I sat still and listened. If you did not know, so many answers can be found while sitting still and giving God your undivided attention. You should try it!

So, yes.. today, I sat still, listened and found my answers. I hear You, God. Smiling

Thanks for reading. Wishing you a wonderful day.

Praying you have a lovely weekend, and that if you have been slacking on spending quality time with God, you’d consider it.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Praise Is What I Do

June 4, 2024 Shaun Bradford

Singing—

Praise is what I doooooo ouuuu ou ou… it’s what I do

Never imagined I would be here, at this point in life, where I don’t feel weird or crazy for having multiple praise breaks during a day. Ha! But God did!

Again, singing—

Praise is what I doooooo ouuuu ou ou… it’s what I do

Have a blessed night.♥️

Shaun