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.♥️
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.♥️
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.♥️
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!♥️
“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.♥️
This is how God works in my life! When I tell you He loves me!🥰
Short story…
Last night, in my post, “Service Before Self,” I wrote—
“I miss that life [Air Force life]. I miss the camaraderie. We were more than coworkers and colleagues. We were family.”
I ended it with—
“I believe I need to visit an Air Force base soon. I need to see my people.”
Fast forward to God hearing and delivering!
Below is a reply from my friend, who happens to be a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel. Notice the time stamp: Friday, 8:55 PM. That was the time she replied to one of my Facebook stories. Well, I didn’t see it until after 8:00 AM this morning.
After seeing her message, I called her several times, but the calls kept failing. Then, I texted and messaged her, but she never responded. By 8:30, I was heading to her house. When I tell you all kinds of thoughts were going on in my head. “What if she was on the road and her car broke down?” “What if she was hurt or needed me to drive her somewhere?” “What if she had fallen and couldn’t get up?!” She is 84, so it’s possible (plus she’s always joking about it😅). So, what was I supposed to think?
By the time I got to her house, I was in tears and preparing myself for the worst. Her car was in her driveway, so she wasn’t stranded somewhere. I rang the doorbell, and guess who came to the door smiling? It was her, all happy to see me. All I could do was hug her. Y’all, she had forgotten that she had replied to my story. And her message was supposed to say, “Call me” instead of “Car.” Ugh… That crazy autocorrect! And when she said she needed “some help,” she meant she needed help finding something.
Anyhoo… I ended up spending the day with her and having a lovely time. It wasn’t until this afternoon that I realized God had given me what I wanted and needed—time with my Air Force family, and I didn’t have to wait.🥰
I am forever in awe of my God! I cannot express enough how truly grateful and blessed I am.♥️
Shaun
** By the way… THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!!! In exactly ONE MONTH, I will be 52!!!🎉🎉🎉
When I woke up this morning, the last thing I wanted to do was celebrate Mother’s Day. I just wasn’t feeling it. But God and my daughter had different plans. I’m so glad she decided to come home this weekend. I needed her company. I needed the love, laughs, hugs (from both of my hearts), and good food. I may have lost my mother, but… I am a mother. God blessed me with two beautiful souls. How could I not celebrate this honor?
My daughter is on her way back home. We did more in about 18 hours than we would have done the entire weekend. When I tell you we laughed, danced, sang, ate, watched Netflix (started “Forever”), had a few deep conversations, and ate some more.🥰
To the mothers and mother figures who nurture and give selflessly, “Happy Mother’s Day!” You are loved and appreciated.💕🌸💗
I wanted to share an update to this morning’s post, “I Need To Get This Out, Please Bear With Me.” In short, I’m feeling so much better. I decided to drive up for the funeral today instead of waiting until tomorrow. And I’m glad I did. As much as I wanted to be alone, I needed to be around family. I needed the love, laughs, and hugs. God is good.
Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers! I needed them. Wishing you a peaceful, relaxing evening.🙏🏽♥️
You must be logged in to post a comment.