Tag: reflections

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

Today would have been my brother’s 49th birthday. Y’all, I just knew we would grow old together. Happy heavenly birthday, Rell.♥️ October 5, 1973 – October 19, 2019

Here’s what I shared on that day three years ago (October 5, 2019) –

Facebook Memory: October 5, 2019

Second message this week about everything happens for a reason. So I must make it today’s social media find. Rest assured God’s got you. He already has everything worked out. Just trust Him. Believe me, I know it’s easier said than done, but it’s something we must learn to do. Y’all have a blessed day.🙏🏽♥️

This was in response to a post made by TV ONE – “Laugh at the confusion, smile through the tears, and keep reminding yourself everything happens for a reason.”

That week, my emotions were all over the place. My anxiety level was like a ten. You know how you can feel something about to happen but can’t pinpoint what? I remember being so anxious that entire day, and the days that followed, were even worse. Didn’t know I would actually laugh at the confusion. Not really. Smile through the tear. Boy did I do a lot of crying, but of course I kept smiling. One thing that I couldn’t seem to do was focus on the “everything happens for a reason” part. HA! One thing I forgot to do was take my own advice and trust that God knew what He was doing. Honestly, I’m still confused about that part. Only God knows the lessons and reasons behind everything that happened.

Yeah.. October 2019 was a month I truly wanted to forget. Hands down, it was one of the worst months of my life. Y’all, I honestly didn’t think I could see another October and not feel some kind of way. I’m so thankful time takes away the sting. That God loves us enough to make sure we heal from pain.

October 5, 2019

Shaun

Life

Another Random Rambling

Shaun Bradford

Haven’t rambled in a while…

Last night was the first time in a while that I watched The Potter’s House Wednesday Night Bible Study, live. Usually, I catch it a day or so later. Last night’s message was Torn Between the Two. Bishop T. D. Jakes referenced putting new wine in old wineskins. (Mark 2:22) Basically, holding on to something old, while God is trying to do something new; attempting to mix the two (new with old) for fear of losing the old. In other words, losing what had already been established.

Last night, I knew the message was for me; however, I didn’t fully accept it. Didn’t want to accept it. Shoot.. haven’t wanted to accept it. Believe me, this message isn’t new. God’s been telling me this for some time now. I’m not going to lie, part of me still wanted to hold on to that old skin. I was like, I hear you God, but that’s a lot to just let go. Ha! Years of sweat equity (smiling).

However, this morning when I woke up, my first thought was, “I cannot put new wine in old skins. New skins for new wine.” This morning I got the message. What was had taken me as far as it could. Its capacity to expand had reached its limit. Not throwing it away. As Bishop mentioned last night, that old skin was once new. If you know me, you already know I never throw away memorabilia. I hold on to it forever. It’s part of my heart.

With that said, I can no longer grieve what was and must build on what God is doing. Which is something new. Something that’s way more powerful than before. And if I continue to hold on to the old, I’ll never know where this new thing will take me.

Smiling

God, I’m ready to build on the new. New wine. New skins. I’m trusting You to lead me and take me to heights unimaginable. Let’s go!!!♥️

LaShaundrea

Life

Perseverance: Today is Day 500

Shaun Bradford

Perseverance– steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. Persevere.♥️

Celebrating 500 consecutive days of blogging. And just think, at one point I didn’t believe I could make it past 50. God is so good. Doing what I’m meant to do. Doing what I love! AND I’m still drawing. Again, God is so good. Blessed

Life

God’s Grace

Shaun Bradford

Question –

Where would you be without God’s grace?♥️ ~ Shaun

Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford
Not my will, but God’s.

Below is a Facebook memory from three years ago. Today, I needed this reminder. Everything I do is to support God’s purpose. It’s not about me.

Facebook Memory September 14, 2019:

Have you ever asked God why He chose you? I have. Sometimes I still do. Y’all, we were chosen for a reason. He chose us, with all of our imperfections, to fulfill whatever purpose He has. He’s so awesome!

I don’t know what lies ahead, but I do know I was chosen for a reason. For this, I’m forever grateful.

To this day, I still don’t know what lies ahead. So much has happened since I made that post. I didn’t know I would suffer one of the biggest heartbreaks of a lifetime. I didn’t know that I would be a coauthor in a book. I didn’t know that I would finally take the leap and leave my job– without a backup plan. I didn’t know that I would be one of the primary caregivers for all three of my parents. I didn’t know that by resting in God, and truly allowing Him to lead, that I would experience such peace. Y’all, I actually feel like a Queen at times. Smiling. I haven’t had to want for anything. God is sooo good.

Today, I’m still perplexed about why God chose me. Why He entrusted me with so many responsibilities, while treating me like royalty. I pray that I’m making Him proud. I pray that I’m doing a good job fulfilling His purpose.

Shaun

Life

Second Chances

Shaun Bradford

Thankful for second chances.🙏🏽♥️ ~Shaun

Life

Blessings & Responsibilities

Shaun Bradford

Every blessing comes with a certain amount of responsibility. Often, it’s a responsibility we never anticipated or something we have tried avoiding, yet it happens anyway.

Right after I resigned, my dad became sick again. My last day of work was April 1st and a week later, what was supposed to be a two day trip turned into a three week stay. Just like now, I had so many things planned for my new venture. Looking back, everything still happened but not as I had planned or within my timeframe.

Here I am again attempting to launch this newest project and all I’m hearing is be still and go with the flow. Right here, right now, is where I’m meant to be. It’s where I’m needed.

This morning it dawned on me that besides responsibility, there’s a lesson attached to my blessing. I’m blessed to have time to spend with all three of my parents. Although it’s not under great conditions, it’s an opportunity most people don’t get with their parents due to other obligations. At this time, the projects I’m currently working on are my own (which I can modify and/or postpone), and my children are living their own lives. So, I’m going to relax and go with the flow of things. God has always provided and will continue to do so. I’m blessed.♥️ ~ Shaun

Life

Love

Shaun Bradford

Love – A four letter word that causes so many mixed emotions.

Love – Patient, kind and understanding.

Love – Complicated.

Love – The heart beats and longs for it.

Love – Can’t live without it.

Shaun ♥️

My Heartbeat. ♥️
Life

Wednesday Writings

Shaun Bradford

Y’all, I’m sitting here in awe because I didn’t have to think of something to write about this morning. You want to know why? Because it was already written (well, partially written) three years ago– August 24, 2019. I just love my Facebook memories and journal entries.

Journal Entry– August 24, 2019

“Trust and loyalty are my two greatest fears. Yes, fears. If I trust you, will you hurt me? If I’m loyal to you, will you leave me? Right now I’m learning to trust. Trust isn’t something I’ve ever given to someone easily. It’s sad to say but there are only a few people I completely trust. Really only two, my two [kids]. I know they have my back.”

Now, that was the first part of my entry. Today, I can happily say that trust and loyalty don’t bother me as much as they used to. I believe it was this exact year when I realized trust should be given a chance to be earned (believe me, I wasn’t handing out trust passes) and loyalty didn’t have to be reciprocated. Before then, I didn’t really give many the opportunity to earn trust. Had been hurt too many times before. Same with loyalty. I had been hurt and disappointed too many times. Life

Well, this next part I was kind of hesitant to share because it seemed a bit too personal. However, I decided to share it anyway because it is part of the story, my story. So here it goes. One of my transparent moments. I’ll let you know if my thoughts have changed any, afterwards.

“Will I trust my mate completely? I’m praying that I will and he does the same with me. Complete trust. Complete loyalty. Meaning NEVER talking about the other in ways that degrades the other, or causes someone to look at them unfavorably.”

Hmmm…

“Complete trust.” “Complete loyalty.” Are those even possible?

Ironically, I’ve been thinking about the two (trust and loyalty) a lot lately. I told y’all a few blogs ago that my life follows a pattern– same month, different year, same thoughts. How weird is that? Anyway, a few days ago, I actually had a conversation with God about the two. Then, not even a day later, I had a conversation with someone else about the same exact things- trust and loyalty. As I mentioned earlier (in my journal entry), the lack of trust and loyalty were my two greatest fears.

This time when I asked God the same question I asked three years ago– will I be able to trust my mate completely?– here’s what He had to say. Yes, He talked and I listened. (Smile) He said that He would never entrust me to anyone I could not trust or who wasn’t loyal. He explained that I’m wise enough to know the difference between intentional and unintentional harm, and that I would have to use this wisdom as a guide when assessing true loyalty and trust. People are not perfect, they’re human. They will make mistakes. Also, He assured me that He would never send me someone I cannot fully trust or who wasn’t loyal. It would be beneath Him to do so. Y’all, that last part!! Whew! Listen, God ONLY sends THE BEST! You already know His answer made me smile.

Trust and loyalty.

Wishing you a wonderful Wednesday and fabulous rest of the week.

Shaun

Life

What’s Controlling Your Thoughts?

Shaun Bradford

Whatever OR whoever controls your thoughts controls you. Don’t believe me? Watch your actions. Whether noticeable to others or not, your actions will always tell the truth.♥️ ~ Shaun