hope

Hello Sunday

Hello Sunday, and Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful fathers out there. Know that you are loved and very much appreciated, not only for your financial support (because fathers are more than financial resources) but also for your love, wisdom, guidance, and for simply being YOU.

You are loved!♥️

Shaun

My daddy and his girls.🥰
hope

Your Purpose Is Unique

Good Morning☀️

How are you?

I hope you’re well.🌸


As I stated two years ago, your purpose is unique and connected to something you do effortlessly. Pursuing your purpose will lead to a more fulfilling life.


I pray you have a fabulous self-love Saturday. May it be filled with love, joy, and blessings.♥️

I love you much,

Shaun

hope

June 2, 2019

Since I began the day with a memory from June 2nd, I thought I’d end with one.

Here is what I shared on June 2, 2019.

This photo was taken at Dooky Chase’s restaurant in New Orleans in February 2018.
Taken in October 2014

You will probably see the second picture every year because meeting Marcus Samuelsson and Leah Chase was like God’s hand touching my heart and soul. I had never experienced anything like it before. I simply said I wanted to meet them, and maybe a month or less later, I was with them. After thinking about what I shared in my first post of the day, “June 2, 2014,” I believe that trip set everything into motion. (See my previous post, “June 2, 2014.”)

Anyhoo…

I wish I could have sat down with Chef Leah Chase just one more time, but it never happened. Today, I spent the day with my 83-year-old retired Air Force friend (she’ll be 84 in September). I just love being in her presence. Listening to her reminisce about her earlier years and recent adventures (she loves to travel) makes me smile.

My heart is full.🥰

I hope you had a lovely day, and pray you have a restful night.♥️

Love you always,

Shaun

hope

Never Settle For Less Than God’s Best

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

The Encourager

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

Be Still And Have Faith

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