Tag: Shaun’s Daily Inspiration

Life

Friendships

Shaun Bradford

In a few hours I will be picking up my bestie of 48 years from the airport. This will be our first time seeing each other in person this year. I’m so excited! She will only be here for a day, but any time with her is always wonderful. I can’t wait to see her! God knew I needed this.

Friendships…

Lately, my circle of friends has become smaller. I guess I should now refer to it as tiny. Yeah, 2023 has been some year. Most of the ones I have now I have had for decades. Thankfully they are not fair-weather friends. They can actually stand the rain. Hmm…Now I have to listen to Johnny Gill’s “Fairweather Friend,” or New Edition’s “Can You Stand The Rain” or any JG or NE/BBD (because now I’m hearing “When Will I See You Smile Again”) song for that matter. Laughing. Baby, I can go on and on with the songs. I am NE4Life!!

Anyhoo…As always, my Facebook memories are so timely. Although I shared this song a week or so ago in another post, I also shared it two years ago.

Facebook Memory: December 28, 2021

“Keep smiling. Keep shining. Knowing you can always count on me, for sure. That’s what friends are for.” Dionne Warwick

“In good times and bad times I’ll be on your side forevermore. That’s what friends are for.”

Today’s going to be a great day! I pray you have a strong circle of friends or at least one true friend. Friendships are so important. Wishing you a wonderful day! Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Thankful

Shaun Bradford

The current song that’s playing in my head is Marvin Sapp’s, “Thank You For It All.”

Y’all, I am still here. YOU are still here. What a blessing! No matter what we have been through, currently going through, or eventually will encounter, we have soooo much to be thankful for.

The song says—

I thank You for it all
The good, bad, the ugly, great and small
The times of victory, and when I fall
I’m so grateful that I’m still standing tall
I thank You for my tears
The pain helped me overcome my fears
You’ve been good to me down throughout the years
It’s a miracle that I’m still standing here

All that I am is because of all that You brought me through
And everything I survived, it’s all because of You

If you have not stopped to give God thanks today, I hope that this post prompts you to. You are truly blessed. Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Love Is…

Shaun Bradford

Facebook Memory: December 27, 2021

Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. 1 Corinthians 13:4

Took me a while to figure this out and actually name the source of my pain. So glad I did.

When I reshared the post, I added–

Love does not hurt.
Embrace it. Bask in it.
Give love and be loved.

Also on December 27th (2014), I reshared God’s Fruit (Facebook page) post–

Let’s make today about love. I would say everyday, but one day at a time is a good start.

Yes, let’s be intentional about spreading love.

I will start…

I love you, unconditionally!♥️

Shaun

Updated to add…

As someone once said, unconditional love is not unconditional tolerance. Please know the difference. You can love someone unconditionally from afar. You do not have to tolerate the disrespect, hate, and/or harm. Please don’t! Also, don’t let your heart grow cold. A cold heart stops you from receiving and giving unconditional love.

Life

I’m Blessed

Shaun Bradford

Wish I could share my Instagram (IG) stories and TikTok videos on here without worrying about copyright infringements. Here’s a TikTok video from December 26, 2021 that I just reshared on IG and TikTok. The song that accompanied it was “I’m Blessed” by Charlie Wilson.

We’re blessed, yes.♥️
Life

Grateful

Shaun Bradford
Gratitude is key.

Hezekiah Walker’s song, “Grateful,” says–

I am grateful for the things that you have done
Yes, I’m grateful for the victories we’ve won
I could go on and on and on about your works
Because I’m grateful, grateful, so grateful just to praise you Lord
Flowing from my heart are the issues of my heart, it’s gratefulness

Flowing from my heart is gratefulness. There is so much I have to be grateful for including still being here. Every day on earth is an opportunity to witness God’s glory. So often we miss it because we are looking for it in something grand. Today, I encourage you to be intentional about seeing God’s glory, even in the simplest of things.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Let It Snow

Shaun Bradford

When I think of the winter holidays, I think of the perfect winter setting. You know, the kind you see on holiday movies—the couple, the cozy fireplace, the plush blanket, hot chocolate with marshmallows and peppermint sprinkles, beautiful snow falling, and “Let it Snow” by Boyz II Men—not Dean Martin—playing in the background. It’s what you think of too, right?! Laughing. Although my reality looks nothing like my perfect holiday setting, I can still enjoy the soulful sounds of Boyz II Men singing “Let It Snow.”

Let It Snow by Boyz II Men featuring Brian McKnight
Lyrics: MusixMatch

It′s another Christmas holiday It’s a joyous thing, let the Angels sing ′Cause we’re together

We got a thing, can’t let it slip away No, go outside, it′s raining sleet When our bodies meet I don′t care about the weather

Let it snow, let it snow, outside it’s cold But the fire′s blazin’ so, baby, let it snow Let it snow, yeah Let it snow, let it snow

Come over here and help me trim the tree I wanna wrap you up, baby Then you′ll see You’re the only present I need

There′s so much more Waiting for you in store From this precious day, I can gladly say There’s no place that I’d rather be

I know, you′ve found my everything Come a little closer God must have sent you down from Heaven

Let it snow, let it snow Outside it′s cold But the fire’s blazin′ So, baby, let it snow Let it snow Let it snow

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas Just like the ones I used to know Where the treetops glisten And children listen To hear sleigh bells in the snow

I′m dreaming of a white Christmas With every Christmas card I write May your days be merry and bright And may all your Christmases be white

Let it snow Let it snow, baby But the fire’s blazin′ so, baby, let it snow Let it snow, yeah Let it snow (Let it snow)

Hope you are enjoying your day!♥️

Shaun

Life

Merry Christmas!

Shaun Bradford

This Facebook memory is actually from last Christmas Eve. Couldn’t decide whether to share it yesterday or today so I decided to schedule it for midnight. Smile

December 24, 2022: No amount of money will ever bring the love and joy you bring; and NO materialistic gift can ever replace your presence. You have spent countless hours searching for the perfect gift not realizing that YOU ARE IT. You ARE the perfect gift.♥️

Wishing you much love, joy and peace. May today be just as wonderful as you are.♥️ ~Shaun

Life

My Relationship With God

Shaun Bradford

Have you ever written an entire book (exaggerating) only to not publish it? Well, I just did. I know I wrote a good chapter describing my relationship with God starting with when I was an adult-child (yes, adult-child—smoking, shoplifting, etc. …heavy on the etc.) getting saved at eight years old; to my life as a sanctified teenager who went to church almost every day; to being a young adult who only called on God when needed; to completely ignoring Him in my 30s; to building the bond I currently have with Him now. Hmmm… I guess I could have written it like this the first time. Oh well…

As you can see, my relationship with God started decades ago. Thankfully, what began in fear (of going to hell) is now a relationship of reverence and awe. Y’all, up until this past decade, I did not know a relationship like this was even possible. As Kierra Sheard’s song, Indescribable, goes–

Indescribable, uncontainable
You place the stars in the sky and you know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untamable
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Although we are here to fulfill a specific purpose in the world, we are also here to glorify God; to worship and to praise Him. Y’all, He loves our praises.

God, You are so amazing!

Keep the praises going.♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Happy 50 years 6 months to me!!! Yes…I am 50 1/2 years old and beyond grateful to see this day. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine living this long. I never dreamt of age 50. As a child, 50 was old and who as a child dreamed of being old? I know I didn’t. If I can remember, most of my dreams were centered around my 20s and early 30s. Now, lo and behold, I am over 50! How awesome is that! Y’all, God is absolutely amazing!

As always, my Facebook memories are sooo timely. This memory from two years ago nicely sums up the last six months of my celebration.

Facebook Memory: December 24, 2021

Here is a quote from Michelle Obama’s “Becoming.” I believe questioning our worth is a natural part of our growth process. Whenever we take on new tasks, or decide to move beyond our comfort zone, part of us wonder, “Am I good enough?” Well, I am here to tell you that you are. You are good enough and you are more than equipped to handle whatever comes your way. You got this!

Yes, I am enough. I am continuously evolving and becoming the woman God created me to be.♥️

Over the past six months, I have had some very interesting experiences. Experiences that had me questioning God’s intentions. Had me asking more questions than I have ever asked Him before to include am I equipped to handle situations. And y’all, I have encountered some really interesting situations since turning 50. Listen, when I asked for this side of 50 to be completely different from the last, I had no idea what I was asking for (laughing), but God did. Shaking my head. My life and its adventures…

As I wrote two years ago—which I now know was a message for my future self—I am good enough. I am more than equipped to handle whatever comes my way. I’ve got this!

As I write, I cannot help but smile and praise God because I am truly blessed. Y’all, I am 50 1/2 years old and still here and healthy and loved. My babies are well and flourishing. My siblings and their families are all healthy and happy. My friends and family are still here. What more could I ask for. Again, I am so very blessed.

I have six more months left in my jubilee year. I do not know what’s to come; however, I do know that whatever comes God is good and I am covered. Y’all, God’s covering is everything. And His peace!!! Listen, there is none like it. You better get you some!

I pray you have a beautifully, blessed Sunday. Love you, always.♥️

Shaun