Tag: Sunday

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Today makes 50 years 3 months! Yay!!!

Unlike the first two months, this month has not been as revelatory as the first two. I am not going to lie, I felt like I was being ripped apart those first two months. God would reveal areas where I needed to make changes in order to grow and I actually made them. I did not make excuses like I had many times before. No, this time I followed through. And y’all, I am so glad I did. I had no idea how much anxiety and stress was associated with how I had been operating. Now I feel like I am in a better place; a healthier place.

I also started back going to school. It’s a whole other kind of stressor, but I will make it. I am still trying to find a balance between it and life. I do not want to get burned out, nor do I want to be so stressed that I risk my health for a degree. Unlike many of my family members and several of my friends, I have made it to my 50s without hypertension or diabetes and my goal is to keep it this way. So be it if it takes me longer to achieve my goals. Health is truly wealth. I refuse to allow stress to take it.

On a more positive note…

One of my babies is 20 today!!! He stopped by last night after work. Only got to see him for a few minutes before he headed to the dorms, but those few minutes were worth it. I love my baby. Can’t wait to spend the day with him. At least I hope we’re spending the day together. He might have other plans.

Okay… that was about the birthday boy. Now about my princess!

She’s getting married!!!!

Been wanting to write about her engagement since it happened two days ago but had to wait for them to announce it. I cried and screamed—screamed and cried—not screaming now, but I am crying. It was so beautiful. She was absolutely clueless. I had known for months. Keeping it a secret while trying to feel her out about how she truly felt about marriage was one of the hardest things to do. Making sure she didn’t see any of her fiancé’s texts coming through while we were together was also challenging. But now it’s over. She had talked him into going on an adult Disney trip for his birthday. (Before he had always gone with family and never got the full experience.) Little did she know his birthday trip was actually for her. Yes… I am still crying. She deserves the best and I absolutely believe he is it.

They officially met the first day they moved into the dorms in 2013. His cousin was my daughter’s roommate. Just like in the movie Brown Sugar, the bonded over music and have been together ever since. Now they’re literally making music together. He’s her producer. I’m so happy for them and excited to be by her side as she enters another phase of life. She’ll be his wife, but always and forever my baby.

Side note: When I tell you music is powerful! Y’all, it is definitely another love language. Listen, make me a good playlist and I am hooked for life. For real! Laughing. There is just something about music, good music, that takes me to another place. Hence the reason I always have some song playing in my head. It’s like my thoughts come with background music. Crazy, huh?

Anyhoo… cheers to three months on this side of 50. Looking forward to the years to come. I wonder what month #4 will look like. For starters, I am going to see Beyoncé Wednesday!!! If I have nothing else to report about month 4, I can say I attended the Renaissance World Tour! Smiling.

Wishing you an amazingly blessed week. Love you!♥️

Shaun

He was always so dramatic.
The couple!♥️♥️
Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Hello! Hello! Hello! I pray you are having a wonderful weekend. Here’s today’s message and a few verses from Matthew Chapter 6:

Keep standing. God’s got you!

Matthew 6:30-34 NIV
30. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?

31. So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

32. For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

33. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

34. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

That’s all I have for now. Please enjoy the rest of your day. Love you!♥️

Shaun

Following God’s plan.
Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Today’s a new day and the first day of a new week. Whatever goals we failed to accomplish last week can be accomplished this week. Don’t sweat it!

This week let’s remember to:
– consult God first
– follow His guidance
– give ourselves grace if we falter
– keep going

I am a living witness that everything will work out according to God’s plan.

Transparent moment…

I really wanted to end my encouraging words with – “We may not always understand His plans, but know that they will always work out in our favor.” But every time I wrote that or something similar like – “whatever His plans might be” – I would erase it. Didn’t want to taint the encouragement with any notion of unpleasantries. Well… life and God’s plans are not always pleasant. Honestly, sometimes they are downright hard to comprehend and they hurt.

Exactly one year ago, my mom was admitted to the ICU and was in a coma for almost a week. Nothing was the same afterwards. She suffered for months before she passed. Honestly, it’s so hard to see the good in any of it other than our bond became stronger. But why couldn’t it have happened differently? Why couldn’t the same thing have happened while she was better? We could have done so many more things together. UGH!!!

Even though part of me wants to encourage others and myself, the other part of me is sad and hurting at the moment. Y’all, I miss my momma! All I want to do is scream!!!!

Yeah… this is how I’m really feeling today. I do pray that you have a blessed day and an awesome week. Be blessed.♥️

Shaun

P.S. I am going to be okay. I know God’s got me.

I love you, Momma.
Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Hello! Here’s a Facebook memory from last year. I should have added, wherever your heart is, your mind and soul follows. Where is your heart?

Here’s an additional caption. I added this when I reshared it to another account.

Moment of Transparency:

There was a time when I allowed thoughts of imperfection to control me. Not saying those thoughts don’t still pop up, because they do, but they no longer control me. Yeah.. caused so much anxiety. 

I keep telling y’all when I say God is sooo good, THIS is what I’m talking about. #ForeverGrateful

Y’all, God is absolutely wonderful. I just love watching Him work in my life. Used to spend most of my time watching Him work in the lives of others, now I am watching Him do the same for me. Of course it is not always pleasant to watch. Believe me, sometimes the tests and trials make me want to throw in the towel and just be; however, God won’t let me. He pushes me through. Then, I look up a year(s) later and I am so much stronger than I was before. This past week I attended a conference with women I used to feel intimidated to be in the room with. My imposter syndrome used to be on an all time high. However, this time, I knew… not only felt… but knew I belonged there. Again, God is absolutely wonderful!

That’s all I have for you today. About to get on the road. Please keep my family in your prayers. My bonus mom is really sick. We are not sure what’s wrong. She’s been sick for a while but is just now admitting it. At first I felt like this was deja vu because it is August again, but I am not claiming it. I know God is a healer. Amen

Y’all have a wonderful day. Love you!♥️

Shaun