Tag: rebuilding

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

hope

Who Are You?

Shaun Bradford

When was the last time you took a moment to ask yourself, “Who am I?”. I recently attended an event, and that was one of the questions. Who are you outside of your relationships with others? Who are you outside of your career? Who are you outside of social media? Who are you when no one else is around? What are your innermost dreams and ambitions, or your deepest hurts and fears—you know, the ones only you and God know about? Who are you?

Once you discover who you truly are, embrace and nurture the attributes that bring out the best in you and heal the parts that need healing so you can become the best version of yourself.

God has so many blessings waiting for the true you. Discover who you are!♥️

I love you,

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Facebook Memory: April 7, 2022

It’s interesting that I shared this post four years ago while attending the same conference I’m at today. Ironically, this message is more relevant today than it was then. God has a way of bringing things full circle, even messages.

I originally shared this photo on April 7, 2018.

At the time of the original share, I was in the process of rebuilding trust—in myself, in those around me, and in my ability to achieve my goals and dreams. I honestly thought it would be easy. Little did I know it would take several years and cycles of reflecting, regrouping, refocusing and rebuilding, to get to where I am today.

Today, I trust myself. I trust myself to make wiser choices. I trust myself to take care of Shaun. Yes, I finally realize I matter, too. Don’t know why it took me so long to accept this fact. Guess I owe it all to Year50.

I also have a good group of people around me who I trust; who I know have my best interests at heart. God has been weeding people out while strengthening my current relationships. My circle is getting smaller but growing stronger.

As far as me trusting in my ability to accomplish my goals and dreams, I am there. I know I can. A few blogs ago, I wrote about my confidence being restored. Well, I owe that to actually trusting myself to do what I set out to do. Things have always been moving in the right direction; however, my confidence and trust and belief in myself had to catch up. Took a minute—a long minute to rebuild this one—but it’s all back! Grateful

This is it for now. Wishing you a restful Sunday.♥️

Take Care,

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Woke up with Smokie Norful’s, “I Need A Word,” playing over and over in my head. Here are the lyrics courtesy of LyricFind and Capitol Christian Music Group.

I Need A Word

The noise of my day
The depression that steals my voice
The confusion that arrests my life
So I can’t even make a choice

Life seems so loud
I’ve been too proud
So Lord, what do I do?
I just need a word from You

Oh, I need a word
Tell me which way to turn
I need a word
Tell me which way I should go
I need a word
To tell me just what to do
Please send a word
God, I need to hear from You
Drown out the noise
Let me hear Your voice
I need a word from You

Ooh, oh, I just got bad news
Life just darkened my day
My family is in need
And I just cant seem to make a way, oh

Life seems so loud
I’ve been too proud
But I’m asking you now
Lord, send a word from You

I need a word
Tell me which way to turn
I need a word
Tell me which was I should go
I need a word
Tell me what should I do, Lord
I need a word
I need a word from You
Drown out the noise
Let me hear Your voice
Oh Lord, I know need a word from You

I hear You Lord, I hear You say

Stand still and know that You are God
Stand still and believe You’ll work it out
Stand still and see my victory walk right in
‘Cause with You, I will win

I need a word
Greater is He that’s in me than He that’s in the world
I need Your word
No weapon formed against me shall be able to prosper
Drown out the noise
Let me hear Your voice
I need a word
From You

It’s growing season. You are being pruned. Lean into God.

Praying you have a wonderfully, blessed week. Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Fear

Shaun Bradford

Fear: an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.

The Facebook memory I’m sharing below is from four years ago, April 11, 2019. It was written a few weeks after I signed the divorce papers that my ex refused to sign. Up until that day, not many of my friends or family on Facebook knew I was getting a divorce, let alone the things I was going through. And this was over four years after we had separated.

Well, on this particular day I had had enough. For years I was afraid he would kill me. In the memory I used the phrase, “my life would be taken,” to soften the blow for my readers. But it was sooo much deeper than that. I was scared. Like really scared for my life. The more he would tell me he wasn’t going to let me go, or send random texts about how much he loved me – and this was up until he finally signed the papers – the more afraid I became. It was rough. We hear about murder-suicides all the time, and for years, I just knew I would be a victim.

On April 11, 2019, I stopped being afraid. That day I declared my freedom.

Facebook Memory: April 11, 2019

Good Morning! No social media find, just my testimony. Warning: For those who hate when people put all of their business on social media – stop reading NOW!

For over four years I’ve been walking on eggshells. Trying to do everything just right, out of fear. I’ve been afraid my life would be taken at any moment. If not mine, my babies, or he would take his own life (what would that be like for my son). I prayed about it. Started working on my goals. Created a new life for me and my kids. However, there’s always one thing looming, fear. I keep my office door locked at work when no one’s there. I’m never alone with him. You may think I’m overreacting, but I don’t care. It’s what I feel. I’m tired of walking around in fear because he won’t let me go.

Today…today I’m releasing the fear and I’m going to live. That sheet of paper did not give him control over my life. Whether he signs the divorce papers or not, I’m living! And I’m living without fear! Life is too short to always be afraid.

Listen… I am so happy to be on the other side of that fear. To read the words and not feel the same sting feels absolutely amazing. For years, I could not imagine getting to this point, yet here I am. Y’all, God is so wonderful. I am truly, truly blessed.

Thanks for allowing me to share my story.♥️

Shaun

** Note: Never diminish someone’s feelings about being afraid. When they tell you that they fear for their life, believe them. Please do not act like they are overreacting. Sometimes they see and experience things you can’t understand. Also, what you may see as acts of love, another may see as torture. Be Blessed

Life

Trust

Shaun Bradford

For most, trust does not happen over night. It takes time to build. Once in place, handle it with care because once it’s broken it can take a lifetime to repair.♥️ ~ Shaun

Sooo… short story. Right as I was posting this to my Facebook page, I started receiving notifications that someone was sharing my posts. I was like cool! Until I looked at who had shared them. How about someone stole my profile picture and banner and began sharing my posts. Talk about WILD!! Why do people do these things? Why pretend to be someone you’re not. At least they used a different name, but my same picture!! Disgusting and disturbing.

Trust… can’t trust nobody!! Shaking my head, laughing.

Y’all have a great day!