Tag: Shaun’s Daily Inspiration

hope

Chosen Before Conception

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning! Today’s post is a copy of the “Hello Sunday” post I shared three years ago. When I tell you it’s such a timely and reassuring reminder that God chose us before we even knew we existed. He chose and crafted us to fit perfectly into His plan to fulfill His, not necessarily our own, purpose. The reason I say “not necessarily” is because we will always feel out of place or like we don’t quite fit when our purposes don’t align with God’s. Our hearts, minds, and souls will never be at peace or truly content until they begin flowing in the direction they were created to. I’m learning more and more not to resist the flow, but to resist the urge to change who I am to fit in, to stand in who I am. And I must say, the experience has been wonderful! No more anxiety. No more second guessing my worth. I’m just here being who God created me to be. Smiling

So, here’s what I shared in 2021. I hope it blesses you as much as it has blessed me. Always remember who you are (handcrafted and chosen by God) and Whose you are (God’s child, royalty). Love you!♥️ ~Shaun

Hello Sunday: September 19, 2021

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”Jeremiah 1:5

That scripture came from my morning reading. This next part was amongst my Facebook memories from September 19, 2018.

Quote – “God is calling you, equipping you, [and] preparing you according to His purpose.”

And this was my caption in response to the quote:

“I’m so thankful God chose me to fulfill His purpose. Despite my quirkiness, He chose me to carry out this part of His mission. So grateful He loves me as I am. There’s NO love like God’s love!”

Based on everything written above, sounds like God has a lot of work for me to do. The humbling part is, I do not have to change who I am to fulfill His purpose. As the scripture above suggests, God already knew what kind of person I would be even before I was conceived. He knew I would see and do things slightly different from others. He knew that no matter how hard I would try, I would never fit anyone’s mold. “. . . before you were born I set you apart.” Whew!

Y’all, I needed this reassurance. Sometimes I do not feel like I belong in certain spaces, but for some odd reason God keeps placing me in them. From here on, whenever I feel unqualified I must remember – God chose ME!

Same for you. If you ever find yourself in spaces that you feel unqualified to be in, just remember – God chose YOU! You are the ONLY one qualified to fulfill that specific part of His purpose. Yessss, YOU!!!

Listen, always remember who you are and Whose you are, and everything will work out just fine. Enjoy your week!

hope

A Story I Don’t Remember Sharing

Shaun Bradford

Sooo… I rarely check the memories on my professional Facebook page because I seldom share anything there. Well, moments ago, without me checking, the memory below popped up. Like, popped up out of the blue. I guess I needed to see it.

However… what’s even crazier is that I have absolutely no idea why I decided to share this particular part of my life’s story with this group of Facebook friends. Normally, this would have been something I would have only shared with closer friends or something I would have shared here because I feel more free to share in this space.

Anyhoo… below is the screenshot of what I wrote. Basically, it explains why I live my life the way that I do. Why I am the way that I am. I wasn’t always like this. Honestly, I weep for the person I used to be. However, I celebrate who I’ve become. Yesss! Loving me!! They say self love is the best love second to God’s.🥰

Facebook Memory: September 18, 2017

Y’all, I’m so grateful I decided to change. I can’t even imagine what my life would be like had I remained the same. God is so good. I’m truly blessed.

Well, that’s it. Thought it was interesting so I decided to share.

Good Night!♥️

Shaun

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Focus On Your Purpose

Shaun Bradford

“Focus on your purpose and God will do the rest.”

That’s been God’s message to me for years now, to stay focused. No need to try to figure everything out on my own or worry about time. My job is, and has always been, to stay focused on my purpose. As many of us know, that’s often easier said than done. However, I’m getting there.

How about you? How are you doing with staying focused? Just thought I’d ask. Smile

Listen, have a blessed day!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

You Are A Beautiful Song

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!

On this date last year, I was singing The Winans song, “Everything You Touch Is A Song.” The song says:

“I think that a song should be something more than a beautiful melody. To tell the story of truth and reality.

I think that a song should be sung by a man who knows the meaning of sorrow and the meaning of true love.

I think that a song should be shared among friends. Then when friends are gone, the melody and meaning still lingers on.”

The song finally ends with, “Everything You [God] touch is a song.”

What a great way to start the day knowing that God’s touch results in a beautiful song; and YOU, my friend, are one of His songs. How wonderful is that!

Praying you enjoy your day!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

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Good Night (23)

Shaun Bradford

Good night/morning! Before drifting off to sleep I wanted to share this gem.

His grace is a gem. (2018)

God’s grace is enough. It’s priceless.

Praying you have a restful night.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Celebrating Every Success

Shaun Bradford

On September 3rd, I wrote (see “No More Hiding God’s Greatness”):

When was the last time you publicly celebrated your achievements? Is it something you find easy to do? Asking because I have always found it difficult, until recently. Now, I celebrate even the smallest of successes. … I mean, how can I fully represent God if I continue to downplay the magnitude of His greatness in my life? Y’all, He’s been too good to me. As I have said many times before, I am beyond blessed.

Y’all, I’m staying true to what I wrote. No more hiding what God’s doing. I also wrote in that post that back in 2016-2017 barely anyone knew I was the president of our state’s dietetics’ association. The only ones who knew were the dietitians who belonged to the organization, and some of them probably didn’t even know if they weren’t active. Don’t get me wrong, I was honored to hold the position; however, I was too humble for my own good to walk in it. Today, I realize that when you downplay your role, not only do you limit your effectiveness, but you limit your reach. You limit what God can do. Lesson learned.

Here I am today…

My first time in this position was nine years ago (2015-2016). Next year I’ll be president again. Thanking God for second chances!

Listen, when God places a dream in your heart—it will be. When I first held the position nine years ago, I felt as if I was finally walking in my purpose. I just knew that I was where I belonged, and it was only up from there. Then, life happened, and things didn’t go as expected. So, after I had served my three years (president-elect, president, and past president), I assumed that part of my life was over.

But it wasn’t…

Never in a million years did I expect to do it again. Even up until the moment I was asked if I’d consider running, the thought had never crossed my mind. However, once it was out there, I was reminded that I had said on this side of 50 I would not say “No” to things and opportunities that aligned with my purpose. And this still aligns with my purpose. So, instead of saying “No,” I said “Yes.”

Ha!! And to think I thought that part of my life was over.

Listen… DO NOT give up!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

The Little Engine

Shaun Bradford

Facebook Memory: September 17, 2022

Keep moving. You’ve come too far to give up on your dreams, goals and purpose. Just because you can’t see or feel God working, doesn’t mean He isn’t. Imagine if you were to quit today and tomorrow everything was set to fall in place. Again– Keep moving!♥️

Honestly, most of the time I feel like the “Little Engine That Could”. Like I’m living on this steep hill, and although I’m moving forward, it’s a struggle and barely noticeable. One stall and I might slip. Then, I’ll have to start all over. So, I never truly stop. Nope, I keep moving. An inch here and several there, but I never stop moving. It’s little reminders like this (the gems I’ve left myself over the years) that have kept me going.

I’m not going to quit. God’s brought me too far to stop now.

I pray you’re moving in the direction of your goals and dreams, even if you’re not moving fast. Remember, God’s timing is everything. Just keep moving! Things will happen right on time.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

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The Beginning Of Something New

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!☀️

This particular Facebook memory from a year ago marked the beginning of something new. I was finally fully releasing the old—everything on the other side of 50—and welcoming the new. It was my Jubilee year and I was adamant about things on this side of 50 being different, being new.

Facebook Memory: September 17, 2023

I believe! Do you?!🌟
I love watching God work. He’s so amazing!♥️

I had created a short clip with the two images. This was the first new look on this side of 50—so vibrant and new!

As I mentioned, it was my Jubilee (50th) year. Not only did I want things to be different and new, I needed them to be. I had lost my mom a little over a month before my birthday (she passed that May, a few days before Mother’s Day), and life was kind of weird. That’s the only way I can explain it. Not only was I celebrating my 50th birthday year, but I was also mourning the loss of my mom while attempting to celebrate life. What a time that was! I tried to make it as exciting as I could. However, as I said throughout that year, it wasn’t the year I had imagined or expected, but it was definitely the year I needed. Yeah… I needed it. I can’t say it enough, I’m beyond blessed.🙏🏽

Well, that’s all I have for now. Wishing you an amazing day!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Push

Shaun Bradford

Push yourself beyond your limits. Each day push a little more. Even if it’s only an inch at a time, keep pushing. Push until you achieve your dreams and goals, then push even more. There are blessings waiting for you!

As the saying goes:

Pray

Until

Something

Happens

Then continue praying.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Leap, You Won’t Regret It

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning! For the past few years, I’ve been sharing the same message on September 16th—Take the leap!

This past weekend we celebrated one of my sister-friends’ big leap. It was a leap she had been toying with for years, and Friday she did it! We’re so proud of her. It’s her time to shine!

Here’s what I shared last year.

Facebook Memory: September 16, 2023

“How badly do you want it?! Listen, take that leap and go after it! Remember, you only have ONE life.”

In 2021, I wrote, “Take the leap. Then, keep leaping.”

Listen, taking major leaps takes courage. Not only do you have to deal with fear, but you have to be mentally prepared. From my experience, the decision to leap usually happens when what you want—the “how badly do you want it?”—outweighs your fear. It’s in that moment that you ask yourself “What do I have to lose?”, and you leap. I’m not going to lie, it’s an amazing feeling, almost euphoric. As I told my friend, bask in that feeling. Give yourself time to soak it all in. Then, give yourself grace and time to adjust. Because, believe me, when reality sets in, it sets in! That’s when you exhale and allow life to flow.

Thinking back to all the major leaps I’ve taken in life, I have yet to regret one. Every last one was necessary. I wouldn’t be where I am or who I am today had I not leaped. Y’all, God is so good.

That’s it for now. I pray you have a wonderful day and week. May they be filled with love, peace, joy and blessings.♥️

Love you,

Shaun