Tag: reflections

hope

My Journey With God, No. 102

Shaun Bradford

Sitting here reflecting on when my life took a major shift around 10-11 years ago. I was entering my fourth decade of life, and was in the process of getting a divorce. Looking back, I can’t believe I went through and overcame as much as I did. God is so good!

On June 13, 2015, I wrote in my journal that my house was about to be foreclosed on, and I didn’t know where I’d get the money to save it. Well, I never got the money, and it went into foreclosure. That was a difficult year—probably one of my most difficult ones—but I made it.

I started that entry with—

“Thank you Lord for all you’ve done and continue to do. Lord I thank you for grace. I thank you for loving me. So many times I don’t see a way, but you make a way.”

Well, God didn’t make a way in the way I wanted Him to. I lost the house. However, I’ve gained so much more since that loss. The knowledge and experience I’ve gained from multiple setbacks and restarts over the years have only made me stronger.

I ended the entry with a self-discovery that has shaped who I am today. I wrote—

“I’ve tried to be like others, but it didn’t make me happy. Now I’m embracing the true me, the forever evolving me, and I love it, but some don’t. They liked the fake Shaun. Well, I’m me!”

I love how I picked up on and embraced the “forever evolving me.” Because that’s who and what I am. I am forever evolving. Who I am today will not be who I am next week, next year, or ten years from now, and I’m okay with that, because I love being me!

God, thank You for making me, ME!♥️

Shaun

hope

Nothing Wasted

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

How are you?

I hope you’re doing well.🌸

If you don’t remember anything else, remember this—nothing is ever wasted. Not one thing. Not a single tear. Not a single heartbreak. Not a single setback. Nothing is wasted.

Live!✨

I love you,

Shaun

hope

Shaun’s World

Shaun Bradford

“Shaun’s World” was the original name of my blog. I’m not sure when I changed it to “It’s Shaun’s World.” A couple of days ago, I celebrated my 7th Anniversary of blogging. I hadn’t realized I had been blogging for so long.

On June 11, 2018, I wrote the following in my journal—

“I launched my birthday blog early. I was bored and had things to share. It’s called “Shaun’s World.” It’s me and all of my quirkiness. I needed this outlet. I’ll see how long I can keep this up.”

I started this blog to commemorate my 45th birthday, but as I mentioned, I launched it early. I needed an outlet besides Twitter and Facebook to express myself without being completely judged. Thank you for allowing me this space.

Here’s what I shared in my first post on June 9/10, 2018 (there are two different dates on the post).

Welcome to Shaun’s World, Again! Lol

Ha! I had published this same blog on my old site. That site is being deactivated. So follow me on this site. My new site.

Welcome to the world of random thoughts, inside jokes and carefree writing. Yes, it’s Shaun’s World!

This site isn’t meant to be stuffy or too serious because all of that is pretty boring. It takes too much thought and time to create those sites (been there, done that) when all I want to do is share.

So, be warned, grammatical errors will happen; corny jokes will be told; heartfelt and meaningless stories will be shared and life will go on.

Again, welcome to Shaun’s World!

Muah!
#Year45

Again, thank you for allowing me this space to freely express myself and be ME. I truly appreciate YOU!

Love you!♥️

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 101

Shaun Bradford

On June 11, 2019, I began my journal entry with—

Singing, “Anointing fall on me. Anointing fall on me. Let the power of the Holy Ghost fall on me. Anointing fall on me.” Amen 

I mentioned that I was about to rewatch Sarah Jakes Roberts’ message “Unfinished Business ” from that Pentecost Sunday. I had been on the phone with my mom and had missed most of the message.

I also wrote about Leah Chase being laid to rest the day before, and how my conversation with her was connected with the nutrition sessions I was providing for children attending a summer camp. During our meeting in 2014, Chef Leah encouraged me to teach children about where food came from—that it didn’t come from the grocery store but from gardens and farms. So, on the day of her funeral, I was doing just that.

I wrote so much more on that day (I usually write several times a day); however, I ended the day with this—

“Whew! God just blows my mind. For real.”

And He does. Every day He blows my mind. He’s so wonderful. Just to know Him and be in His presence is indescribable.

God, thank You for loving me. Thank You for showing me YOU!

Amen

Shaun♥️

hope

My Journey With God, No. 98

Shaun Bradford

Since I began the day on the topic of being worthy of the best, I thought I’d share my journal entry from May 31, 2019, which was three years before I shared the Facebook memory in my previous post.

Journal Entry: May 31, 2019

“Yesterday I felt differently. Like something had changed. Even the way I was carrying myself was different. Before I left the house yesterday morning, I told [my son] how grateful I was for all of my blessings and how, up until this past week, I had been seeing myself as unworthy of the best. I thought others deserved the best, but not me.”

I went back and read my journal entry from the day before (May 30, 2019) to see what I had written about my conversation with my son. Here’s some of what I wrote:

“Over the past 5 years I’ve been through some major changes. During this time, God has never left me and has given me more than I thought I was worthy of.”

I ended my entry with this.

“Come on, LaShaundrea! Who has a life like yours. Plus you have two AMAZING kids who are self thinkers and they really love you and they show you. Like A-MAZING! God has given you the world all you have to do is walk in your light. Bask in His glory. EVERYTHING is working according to plan.”

I had no idea what was to come the next day, which was the day my ex-husband finally signed the divorce papers. I just knew, even before then, that I was blessed and worthy of more. Of course, life did what life does, and it took me another three to four years to begin walking in “my light.”

I’m blessed.

Been blessed.

And

God is so good.

It’s time for me to finally—yes, finally— bask in His glory.☺️

Year52 is loading…

Shaun♥️

Beyond Blessed!
hope

The Encourager

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

How are you?

I pray you’re doing well.🌸

“The Encourager”

That was the name of my mom’s monthly newsletter. She used to send them to friends and family in the early 2000s. After she died, that was one of the things her friends remembered about her. Here’s a copy. She would’ve been a great blogger.💗

The Encourager (April 2003) written by Dorothy Bradford

“No matter what we suffer or have lack of, when we learn to put God first, to love Him, and to recognize His voice and obey, we have assurance that all things are working to our good.”

What a word! A word that she lived by.

This is a short week! I pray you have a beautiful day. May God make you feel extra special today. You deserve it!♥️

I love you,

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 96

Shaun Bradford

On this day six years ago (May 26, 2019), I wrote the following—

“Goodbye comfort zone. It’s time to create the life I’ve always dreamed of.”

Then, when I shared it, I added the caption—

“Leaving my comfort zone,” and used the hashtags—Refocusing and Rebuilding.”

I wish I could say everything happened instantaneously, but it took me a while to leave my comfort zone—actually, it took a few years. Believe me, it wasn’t easy. I had become so comfortable where I was.

I’m so glad I made that decision. If I hadn’t, there is no telling what my life would be like today. I needed a change so I could grow. I needed my babies to see me evolving. I owed it to God to use the gifts He’d given me. And I owed it to myself to keep pursuing my dreams and purpose. I needed to become ME.

I am so very grateful for God’s love, grace, and patience with me. He did not give up on me or let me give up on myself. There were so many times when I wanted to quit and settle, but He wouldn’t let me. Y’all, He’s such a good God.

Sitting here in awe.

I’m no longer where I used to be.

I did it! ✨♥️

Shaun

hope

Be Still And Have Faith

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

How are you?

I hope you’re well.🌸

“Be still and have faith” is how I ended last year’s journal entry (May 26, 2024). I was becoming antsy and impatient because life wasn’t moving at the pace I wanted. I felt like I needed to do something. I needed to make things happen on my own because God wasn’t moving fast enough for me. I had thought of so many things I could’ve been doing, yet I heard to “be still and have faith.” Looking back over the past year, I am so grateful I was obedient. Had I not been, I would have missed out on so many opportunities as well as the connections and relationships I’ve built. What God has done in one year was taking me years to build.

Here’s my takeaway, or what I’ve learned—

Whenever you want to take control because God doesn’t seem to be moving, or He’s moving much too slowly—BE STILL! I even wrote in that entry, “Shaun, sit on your hands if you must.” And I almost needed to. BUT GOD!

Be still and have faith that God is going to do what He said He would do PLUS more! No lie, He will blow your mind!

I pray you have a wonderfully blessed day. Today is Memorial Day here in the United States. Please remember those who sacrificed their lives for us to have the freedoms we still have today.♥️

I love you,

Shaun

hope

“Service Before Self”

Shaun Bradford

The United States Air Force has three core values:

  1. Integrity First
  2. Service Before Self
  3. Excellence In All We Do

I am so hyped right now! “Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds” on Netflix is a must see!

I’m experiencing so many feelings at this moment.

Gratefulness: So grateful I had the opportunity to serve. Who knew that waking up one morning and deciding to join the Air Force would have this much of an impact on my life?

Nostalgia: I miss that life. I miss the camaraderie. We were more than coworkers and colleagues. We were family. (Been trying to find that same connection in the civilian world, but I’m not sure it exists.)

Pumped Up: I won’t leak any spoilers, but that ending! Listen, I already knew what was going to happen. There’s something about pressure and adrenaline that pushes you to excel.

And seeing General Jumper was the icing on the cake. I knew who he was before they even showed his name. I served under his command in Europe. Talk about chills!

Seeing this documentary made me feel like I was back at home. I believe I need to visit an Air Force base soon. I need to see my people.☺️

I am beyond blessed and so grateful.🥰

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 95

Shaun Bradford

My heart is so full right now! Those who have been following me for a while know that it doesn’t take much to make me smile or feel blessed. Well, at this moment, I feel like I’m on top of the world! Y’all, I never knew seeing a few jets flying would cause me to feel so much joy. I really did love my time in the Air Force. It was my life for so long.

A few minutes ago, I opened Facebook and the first thing I saw were jets flying. Another one of my favs, Mrs. Michelle Obama, had posted the trailer for her and President Obama’s new documentary on Netflix, “Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds.” I had no idea it was even in the works. When I tell you it’s like receiving a gift you weren’t expecting. Felt the same yesterday when I found out “She the People” is a comedy about Mississippi. Who knew?! Lol.

Anyway… I can’t even begin to describe what I’m feeling at the moment. Y’all, during my career, I entered thousands of flight plans, did so many briefings and airfield checks, and the part of my job that I miss the most is watching the fighters take off, especially at the break of dawn. There’s nothing like it. I am so looking forward to seeing this documentary. If you would like to watch it too, it’s out now on Netflix!

Forever an Airman.🫡

Feeling so blessed.♥️

Shaun