Tag: purpose

God’s plan, Life

Hello Sunday (294)

Shaun Bradford

Happy Sunday☀️

I’ve been deep in thought this morning about life—life in general, and where I fit into the scheme of things.

Today’s Quote of the Day is a scripture, Jeremiah 1:5— “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…”

Yesterday, my elder friend, Ms. Raylawi, called and asked if I wanted to go to a college football game with her and one of her friends. Although I really wanted to stay home and work on a few things, I said yes. Before I could get ready, she texted me several changes to the plan. Before the last change, I threw a pork tenderloin in the oven and prepared toppings for sliders. Then, right before I left the house, she called to tell me that all of her plans had fallen through and she’d probably stay home. I told her it was okay because we were still going to have a great evening. I let her know I had already prepared our meal for the evening so we could just eat and hang out. And that’s what we did. We ended up watching the first season of LUPIN and talking until I saw that she could barely keep her eyes open. I told her she looked like a toddler fighting their sleep. It was way past her bedtime when I left.

I shared this story because this has been much of my life. As a child, I played with kids my age. However, I spent most of my time with older female relatives and family friends. Y’all, they had fascinating stories, and I sat and listened to them talk for hours. And sometimes we didn’t talk at all. We would watch the stories (soap operas) or their favorite shows together, then sit on the porch and people watch. When I became an adult, I did the same. I spent time with each of my childhood elders until they passed. Sometimes I was the only one who spent time with them before it happened. Now, here I am again. Not saying my friend is about to pass, but she’s been talking a lot about death lately and making sure everything is in order.

I often ask God if this is my life’s purpose. Many, many moons ago, I thought about opening a senior daycare. Then, a few months ago, one of my colleagues asked if I wanted to help her provide nutrition sessions to seniors at a few congregate feeding sites, and I said yes. So, every month I get to meet new seniors and hear their stories, while encouraging them to live their best, healthy lives.

I know this was random. Just got a lot on my mind about life and my role in it. Guess I should have made this one a “My Journey with God” post.

Anyhoo…

This is all for today. Oh… one more thing!

So, Ms. Raylawni told me she doesn’t sleep with her phone in her bedroom anymore because every morning before 5:00, it would ding. She said now when she hears it, she smiles and says, “That’s LaShaundrea.” Y’all, the smile on her face when she said it made my heart smile. Whew!

My life…

Okay… now I’m finish.

Thanks for letting me ramble. I have a few things to do to prepare for the week ahead, but I think I’ll take it easy most of the day.

Please take care of yourself and enjoy your day. May it be just as lovely as you are.♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration. 

empowerment, Life

My Journey With God, No. 149

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️ And Happy Self Love Saturday!

Here’s a quote from Fave #4.

“Just try new things. Don’t be afraid. Step out of your comfort zones and soar.” –Michelle Obama

Quote of the Day – 9.19.2026

Comfort zone…

I believe these last three years have pushed me outside my comfort zone more than any other period in my life. I’ve already done more on this side of 50 (at 53) than I’ve done in decades at a time. I asked for my years beyond 50 to be far different from the last, and I’m so in awe of how God is bringing my ask to fruition.

While scrolling through my photos, I came across this text between my daughter and me. Y’all, all I could do was smile. It’s a testament of me asking and God answering.

This was October 2023.

I just love my baby girl!!💗

I was at home that day, reading tweets from colleagues attending our national food and nutrition conference (FNCE). For years, I lived for attending those conferences. They gave me the annual boost I needed to stay motivated, as well as sparked new ideas. You see, after I took my big leap of faith and resigned from my job, I could no longer afford to attend the conferences. I could barely afford to attend our state conferences.

Then, a year later…

Less than six months after my daughter texted, “You are preparing for the next level!!!!”, I said yes to serving as the president-elect of our state’s dietetics association. This didn’t take me outside my comfort zone (I had served years before), but I was at a stage in my life (or so I thought) where I just wanted to live the “retired” life. Smile

Here are more pictures from that day. Y’all, I really love our conferences.

Met my fellow Potter’s House e-church member, April.😊

Okay… So maybe I go for the food.😂 Always a good time!

I also attended last year’s conference in Nashville. This year, I’m planning our state’s conference, so it’s my main focus right now.

A few posts ago, I asked the question— “What do you want most [from life]?” And in another post, I wrote—

“Listen, if you want to truly live, sit and stay in God’s presence. He will give you experiences that will satisfy your soul. Yeah…His experiences are soul deep!”

I know what I truly want, and so does God. Attending the conferences may seem like a small experience, but for me, it’s one of those soul-deep ones. Yes, I love the food (I really think food is my love language☺️), but I love being around the people most. When I’m at those conferences—and that’s any conference or event—I talk to EVERYBODY! I even talk to the janitors cleaning the restrooms. I want everyone to feel seen, valued, and appreciated. Plus, it’s how you make connections. So yeah… it’s soul deep for me.

Listen, there are so many soul-deep experiences outside of your comfort zone. Be open to saying yes to new opportunities and doing something new.

This is all for today. Have a wonderful self-love Saturday. Celebrate it by doing something new!♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration. 

gratitude, Life

This Message Is For YOU

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️ and Happy Thursday!

Whether you read this message today—the day I’m sharing it—or months from now, this message is for YOU.

“Keep moving! You’re too close to quit now.“

Here’s what I shared on this day four years ago—

Keep Moving (September 17, 2022)

Keep moving. You’ve come too far to give up on your dreams, goals and purpose. Just because you can’t see or feel God working, doesn’t mean He isn’t. Imagine if you were to quit today and tomorrow everything was set to fall in place. Again– Keep moving!♥️

Listen, God is always working. Don’t give up!♥️

This is all for now. I pray that you have a wonderful day. May it be filled with lots of sunshine!☀️

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration. 

empowerment, Life

Put Up or Shut Up

Shaun Bradford

Happy Monday!☀️

You see the title, right?

Listen, God will check you in the most beautiful way ever. He’ll call you out and leave no room to doubt that He’s doing so. And it’s always from a space of love.

Today, God is calling me out. I have to “put up or shut up.” People I care about are watching my next moves, and I cannot afford to play small. So much is riding on how I handle this situation.

“There is no passion to be found playing small—in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” –Nelson Mandela

My goal is to build bridges, not burn them.

Y’all pray my strength in the Lord.😊

This is all I have for today. Listen, when God gives you an assignment, management it well—not only well, but give it your best efforts. Also, when He puts people in your path who count on you to have their best interests at heart, you step up and fulfill your duties.

What a way to start the week, right?! I pray you have a wonderfully blessed day and a beautiful week ahead. May they be filled with an abundance of love, joy, and peace.♥️

Stay attuned to that still, small voice. God is speaking. You don’t want to miss what He’s saying.

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration. 

empowerment, Life

True Forgiveness

Shaun Bradford
“Forgiveness” September 9, 2024

I shared the message above on this day two years ago. I wrote about how my life changed after I forgave someone who had really hurt me. Even though I said I had forgiven them, part of me hadn’t. For years I held on to the pain, but it wasn’t until I forgave them in my heart that my life began to change. Y’all, it was the release I didn’t know I needed.

Today, I encourage you to forgive those who have hurt you. Release the pain and them to God. Once you do, great things will begin to happen. Listen, true forgiveness does set great things in motion.

As I said in 2024, “Try it!”

On a lighter note…

Who’s tried WordPress’ new podcast feature?! It popped up after I made a post for Nutrition with LaShaundreaB. After trying it there, I decided to try it with my posts under Shaun’s Daily Inspiration (links below). Although you can edit conversations, I’m not brave enough to try it with the posts I share here because I don’t know what that conversation would look like.🥴🤭

Here are the mini podcast episodes. Both are under four minutes. I really like this feature!

Podcast: From “Baby Cabbages” to One Of My Favorites: Brussels Sprouts

Podcast: Becoming Your True Self

Before I end, I would like to invite you to watch Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Again? on Netflix. We have been waiting for the final movie for years. Side note: I’m not sure why the movie was released on a Wednesday, but hey, that’s above my pay grade. I’m just glad we got one more movie. Can’t wait to watch it!😊

I’m going to end here. Wishing you a wonderfully blessed day.♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration. 

🎶 By the way, I’m still singing “Air I Breathe” by Byron Cage. I can’t express it enough, I’m so grateful to be surrounded by God’s presence.

empowerment, hope

Life, Time, and Clarity

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!☀️

Here’s today’s quote—

“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” –Nelson Mandela

Quote of the Day – 8.31.2026

Earlier, I came across a post from a renowned author and photographer (we’ll call her Lis) whom I met years ago after she spoke at an event I attended. I know I caught her off guard with my enthusiastic claim that our meeting was somehow a divine encounter. I said something to the effect that I knew God orchestrated our meeting and that we’d work together someday. Well, that day never came. Laughing. However, we became Facebook friends, and she did meet my mom. Lis interviewed my mom for a book she was writing and took photos of her—which made my mom feel so special. So, although we never worked together, the time she spent with my mom was so worth our meeting. Smiling.

The reason today’s quote and Lis’ post are so significant is because they were both divinely timed. Lis shared her post three days ago, but I didn’t see it until this morning, after today’s quote was posted. You see, Lis and I both began our doctoral journeys (in different fields) at the same time (Summer of 2018). She finished and became a professor, and I quit and started pursuing other ventures/adventures. Seeing Lis’ post reminded me of the journey I sometimes question whether I allowed fear to stop me from pursuing. I know that my heart wasn’t truly in it; however, deep down it was still a goal I wanted to achieve. It was a space that challenged me, and I caved under the pressure—just being honest and transparent.

Again, I needed to see the quote and post because I have so much work to do that will require me to operate at a different level. A few months ago, I became the southern region representative for our state’s Public Health Association. Public health, advocacy, policy making, and program development were the focus of my DrPH (Doctor of Public Health) degree.

I have a lot to think about and some decisions to make. This time I need to let hope guide my decisions and choices, not my fears.

Y’all, pray my strength in the Lord. Smile

Have a wonderful day and week!♥️

I love you,

Shaun

empowerment, hope

Let God’s Glory Shine Through You

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️ And Happy Friday!

Let God’s glory shine through you and through everything you touch and do. Allow Him to fill you with His presence. Amen

The song of the hour is Earnest Pugh’s song, “Rain On Us.” The song says—

Let your glory fill this place
Let your all-consuming fire, fill this tabernacle
Purify our hearts
Surround us in this place
And breathe new life within us
Send a refreshing glory
Purify our hearts

Rain on us, Breathe on us
Shower down, Shower down
Send your Spirit, Lord

Lyrics: Genius.com

“Rain On Us” by Earnest Pugh

Continue to be a beacon of God’s light. Allow Him to use you as He sees fit.

Wishing you a wonderful day and beautiful weekend. May it be filled with lots of love, joy, and happiness.♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration. 

Life, trust God

Praise God In Advance

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!☀️

I’m still singing Marvin Sapp’s “Praise Him In Advance.” I guess it’s the song of the week. Smile. The song says—

That’s why I praise Him with my hands. That’s why I praise Him with a dance. He’s given me a second chance. Come on, let’s praise Him in advance.

This morning I’m thanking God for a hundred second chances. Yes, a hundred—plus some. There are some things God has been working with me on for years and now I’m finally getting around to doing them. He’s given me so many chances to get things right.

Honestly, I believe I needed all of those chances because each time I didn’t follow through with whatever I was supposed to do, I learned something new about myself. I also gained more knowledge about what was asked of me, and God gave me room (grace) to improve. I am so loving this over 50 version of Shaun/LaShaundrea.🥰

Listen, no matter how many times you have to start over, know that every restart is an expression of God’s grace allowing you the opportunity to do better and become a better version of YOU.

I pray you have a lovely day!♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration. 

empowerment, trust God

One More Day, One More Step

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

This morning I’m singing Smokie Norful’s song “I Understand.” The song says—

And then He said
One more day, one more step
I’m preparing you for myself
When you can’t hear My voice
Please trust my plan
I’m the Lord, I see and yes I understand

Y’all, God is so good! I know I shared a lot yesterday. I haven’t revisited what I wrote, so I really don’t quite remember all that I actually shared. Just know that I had to get it out. It was time.

A couple of weeks ago, I began watching a new podcast by Pat Smith called “Pursuing You.” Pat is also in her 50s and so much of her story has resonated with me—life after divorce, grief from losing a sibling and parent, having adult children, unchecked shame from making unfavorable decisions, and the list goes on. Y’all, I didn’t know how much I needed this podcast—yes, needed! In two episodes, she has mentioned things that I have experienced over the past several years that I had no words for. You know how you know you’re feeling something but you just can’t quite explain it? Well, after Pat began sharing her experiences, especially those of isolation, grief, and shame, I realized I wasn’t alone. Then, yesterday, when I saw the clip of Hayden Panettiere sharing her experience of abuse, I just had to release what I could never quite share. I had to release the shame and the blame I had been carrying for years, and I had to release it then! If I hadn’t, I would have kept it buried.

Whew!! My life…

Y’all, I don’t know what kind of journey God has me on now. However, I’m here for whatever He’s doing because I know He’s preparing me for wherever He’s taking me. I truly trust Him and His plan.

I believe this is enough rambling for now. Thank you for allowing me to share. I pray you have a beautifully blessed day.♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration. 

gratitude, Life

Celebrating Year 53: One Month In

Shaun Bradford

Stay present. God is taking you somewhere no other can take you—a place where He knows you’ll thrive.

You Will Thrive

This morning I’m thanking God for blessing me to see yet another day. For blessing me with a loving family and two amazing adult babies—my hearts.

This morning I’m thanking God for allowing me to BE—to be ME. Feeling exceptionally free!

Y’all, God is so good. I just love the way He loves me.

My quote for today and the next month ahead is one by Maya Angelou. It’s so aligned with what I’m feeling this morning—

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive.” –Maya Angelou

Thriving is the goal. I’ve survived long enough.

I pray you have a wonderful Friday and a beautiful weekend. May both be as lovely as you!♥️

I love you,

Shaun

**Be sure to stop by Shaun’s Daily Inspiration and get your daily dose of inspiration.

Bonus: Song of the hour is Hezekiah Walker’s “Grateful.”