Tag: Sunday

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Today’s Hello Sunday is dedicated to my mother. Still can’t believe she’s gone.

After Momma passed, I found a letter she had written to us, her children. That’s what she had written on the envelope, “Children.” It was sealed with an address label from where she lived decades ago. I did not read it then. Decided to wait and open it when all of us were together. When I tell you I felt like I was in a movie! I had been through her things many, many times before and had not seen the letter until I was about to leave town to go help my siblings make her final arrangements. When I tell you the suspense was killing me!

As soon as our last sister arrived–took her hours to get there–we read the letter. It began with, “If you are reading this letter, it means that the inevitable has happened.” Y’all, we laughed. Only she could make something so serious sound like we were on a crime show.

Well, the letter was very direct. She did not sugarcoat anything. She told us about her life as an adult and her desire to be a great mom. Some things she knew she got right while others she really struggled with because she had us at a very young age. (Note– While she was still coherent, we did tell her that she was a great mom and how much we loved and appreciated everything she had done for us.) One of the things that surprised us was the fact that she had been very ill for a long time. None of us knew this. The reason she had written the letter was because she did not believe she had much longer to live. Now, this was written three years post paraplegia. Listen… I’m here to testify and tell you she lived another 21 years! Y’all, the letter was dated September 18, 2001.

When I tell you God is so good and merciful. There’s nothing like His love and grace. It just goes to show you that we cannot put a time limit on life nor can we give up. We may feel down today and believe this just has to be the end of the road; then, end up living decades more.

Today, I am going to let Dorothy have her final say. Below is a copy of one of her newsletters from The Encourager. I tried to find one from May; however, the closest I could find was from April 2003. While reading it, I could see her in her words written about not being able to walk or see well. That was her. She was describing herself.

Be encouraged. God’s got you!♥️

Thanks for reading. Wishing you a wonderful week!

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford
My life.

I do not have much to say this morning. Believe I said it all yesterday. Smile. At the end of the day, I really do trust God. Yes, I get frustrated at times. But who doesn’t? It’s called life.

Here’s the song that is currently on repeat in my mind–Mary J. Blige’s song, My Life. Here are a few of the lyrics.

If you look at my life and see what I’ve seen…

Life can be only what you make it
When you’re feelin down
You should never fake it
Say what’s on your mind
And you’ll find in time
That all the negative energy
It would all cease

And you’ll be at peace with yourself
You won’t really need no one else
Except for the man up above
Because He’ll give you love …
Source: LyricFind

Thanks for reading and have a wonderfully, blessed day!♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Today’s blog is dedicated to James Earl Carter, Jr., also known as our former President, Jimmy Carter.♥️

Yesterday, my heart sank as I read the following statement from The Carter Center –

“After a series of short hospital stays, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter today decided to spend his remaining time at home with his family and receive hospice care instead of additional medical intervention. He has the full support of his family and his medical team. The Carter family asks for privacy during this time and is grateful for the concern shown by his many admirers.”

Why did I immediately want to ask if I could also be by his side. If I could also care for him until he leaves us. Sounds weird, huh?

Y’all, he was my President. My first political memories were during his run for reelection against Ronald Reagan. I was just a little girl when he lost the race and vividly remember myself sitting in front of the tv crying my eyes out. He was my President.

I guess what I loved about him was everything many hated. He was soft spoken. He actually had compassion for humanity and expressed it, which was viewed by some as a sign of weakness. And lastly, he was from the South. I loved his southern drawl.

For me, President Carter represented kindness, hope and the possibility of a beautiful, peaceful and kind world. He was my hero! If you have not read any of my blogs about my favorite childhood song, well, it was, “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing (In Perfect Harmony).” I am pretty sure it was Coca Cola’s adaptation of the song that I fell in love with, but either way, it became my theme song. I was dead set on making this world a better place.

Side note: Had to add this while I’m thinking about it. I also wanted “Chariots of Fire,” to be played at my wedding. Y’all, what was wrong with me?! Laughing. I was so into my own little world. Guess nothing’s really changed, huh? Smiling

Anyhoo… back to President Carter. I have watched him over the years remain humble and give to those less fortunate. I really wish that I could sit with him just to show my appreciation for everything he’s done and given.

What’s so ironic is, Friday I signed up to volunteer for a local hospice care center. I may not be able to be by his side before he leaves us, but I can be by someone else’s. A piece of his legacy will always live on through me through my service to others.

President Carter is a true servant leader and his presence and impact on the world will be greatly missed.

Sending him and his family prayers and love.♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

News Flash!

Our dreams and goals require that we work for what we want. We must also be patient and trust God’s timing while we work. Eventually, our hard work and dedication will pay off.

Have a blessed Sunday!♥️

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. – Psalm 34‬:‭1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

There’s nothing like waking up knowing you’re blessed and loved; knowing there is favor over your life. Believe me, it’s not something I take lightly or for granted. God has been too good to me for me not to continually praise His name or acknowledge His greatness. Yes, I’m blessed. Amen

It’s my prayer that you feel just as blessed and loved; knowing there is so much favor over your life. Wishing you a peaceful Sunday and wonderful week.

Be Blessed

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

When you are given a gift, use it.

Shaun Bradford, Journal Entry– January 8, 2021

As I look back over my life, I have received so many gifts, tangible and intangible. Sadly, I have only used about about 75-80 percent of them properly. With that said, I may not have used them properly at the time I received them – because honestly, I did not know they were gifts – but once I recognized they were gifts, I used them.

As I move into this next year and next decade, I pray that I am more attentive to what I am given. I pray that I am open to receive and properly utilize what I’m given, as well as use them in a timely manner. Moving forward, I cannot and will not allow fear to stop me from embracing what is already mine.

Question – Are you properly utilizing the gifts you have been given, tangible and/or intangible? If not, what’s stopping you?

Thanks for reading! Wishing each and every one of you a wonderful week.

Shaun