Two years ago, I shared a random afternoon message. Didn’t even create or include an image, so I know it must have been one of those messages I felt compelled to share. This morning I am sharing it for the same reason. It’s important that you know your vision is too small. God has so much more planned for you.
Decided to create an image for today’s social media posts.
Trust God’s vision.
The caption will be:
“There’s so much more beyond what you can see or imagine. My advice—stop trying to figure it out and let God lead. His vision is greater than yours.♥️”
I pray you have a lovely day and an amazing weekend!♥️
During the president-elect training, we were reminded more times than I can count to remember our ‘Why.’ Moments ago, I found a similar message in my Facebook memories. Last year, my cousin shared the message, “It’s time to revisit your ‘Why’.” She urged us to reassess the ‘Why’ behind our God–given dreams, plans, projects, and goals.
Guess what I’m doing today?!
You guessed it!
I’m taking time to remember/revisit my ‘Why.’
Here’s the link to Joy’s message. I pray that it blesses you as much as it has me.♥️
As I was scrolling through my Facebook memories, I saw a post from ten years ago that prompted me to see what I had written in my journal on February 26, 2015. Here’s how my entry began—
February 26, 2015, Shaun’s Journal Entry
“Lord please help me allow you to lead. Help me let you have total control over my life. I must admit giving up control is scary, but at this moment- tired, broke, and confused, I have no other choice.
Letting go and letting God! Lord please guide my footsteps today.”
I also wrote that I was listening to “Something About the Name Jesus.” Smiling. Smiling because I’m not where I used to be. Smiling because I made it through, and I definitely couldn’t have done it without reverencing Jesus. I’m truly blessed.
Allow God to guide your footsteps. He won’t lead you wrong.♥️
This memory is so fitting for how I have been feeling the last few days—from what would’ve been my mom’s 67th birthday this past Friday to my daughter leaving today—I must be intentional about cherishing the time I spend with those I love.
I hadn’t looked at all of my Facebook memories until moments ago. Six years ago, I created my social media platform, “Mississippi Thriving.” I posted my official welcome message in December of that year, so you may see me celebrate milestones in February and December.
Here’s what I wrote on this date in 2019 and 2020.
My nephews. Only two of my other babies. I have a lot of them.🥰
In the past six years, I have connected with so many wonderful people who share my same vision for a healthier, brighter, and thriving Mississippi. Although it may feel as if we’ll never see it happen in our lifetimes, I still believe it’s possible.
This post has been in my drafts since January 8, 2022. I wrote it for another blog, but can’t locate the link. Glad I saved it here. This was my mother.
Title: Momma, I See You
I was born to a teenage mother, who was born to a teenage mother, who was born to a teenage mother. Yep.. three generations of teen moms. My mother was 14 years old when she became pregnant with me and 15 when she gave birth. What’s ironic is my grandmother was also pregnant. Not only was she about to birth her eighth child at 30, but she was also about to become a first time grandmother. Can you imagine being 30 years old with eight children and your first grandchild on the way? Oh… and my great grandmother, my grandmother’s mom, had 12 children at the time and she was only 43. Y’all, I’m 47 with two children. Had my first child at 21 and my second at 30. Just thinking about what it must have felt like being a teenage mother is unimaginable, let alone having multiple children and grandchildren by the age of 30.
Well, a few years ago, during one of my mom’s frequent visits to the emergency room, I thought about what it must have felt like to be responsible for another life at such a young age. When I arrived at the hospital, she was in so much pain. Every time the nurses touched her she moaned. I wanted to help but couldn’t. Finally the doctor gave her something to ease the pain and she fell asleep. I didn’t leave. I just sat there watching her sleep. Honestly, it was like watching a stranger. The person I saw lying there wasn’t the loud, strong, opinionated woman I knew. This woman was vulnerable, tired, and broken. That’s when it hit me that she was so much more than my mother, she was a woman.
While sitting there, I began reminiscing about my childhood and the sacrifices she had made for me and my five siblings. She always made sure our needs were met even if she had to go without. When I was a baby, she worked in the cotton fields to buy me clothes and pampers. She married a man twice her age, and endured abuse, so that she could support me. By the time she divorced him two years later, she had another little girl to support. Although she had two toddlers, she graduated from high school early and enrolled in college. At 18 she was walking the campus of Jackson State University with two in tow. I still remember attending night classes with her when she couldn’t find a babysitter. During that time she was always learning something new as well as introducing us to new things. For me, that was the most exciting time of my childhood. Also, she was no stranger to hard work. Throughout my childhood, I don’t ever remember hearing her complain about taking on second jobs or not being able to take off for vacations. She did what she had to do to provide for her family. I remember how one year she walked miles to work in the snow, while pregnant with one of my younger sisters. One day she slipped and fell and still went to work. That’s how dedicated and selfless she was. Although she experienced heartaches, disappointments, and abuse, we rarely saw her cry. She was the rock of the family.
Needless to say, by the time I left the hospital I was a changed woman. I saw my mom through a different lens. Not only her but my grandmother and great grandmother as well. I often wonder what kind of sacrifices and compromises did they have to make to ensure their children had everything they needed.
Listen, like most mother-daughter relationships, my mother and I have had our ups and downs. However, it wasn’t until I put myself in her shoes that I was able to better understand some of her experiences and decisions. I will admit that the woman she was throughout my childhood made me the woman I am today, and for that, I’m grateful.
The months I spent with her before she passed were a blessing I didn’t know I needed. I needed that time with her. Even though it was like caring for a child at times, I still knew I was hers. So many times I wanted to climb up in the hospital bed with her.
My momma…
She made us take pictures that day (June 1997). She just had to have a family photo even though we weren’t dressed for one.😅We were so unserious. But it was her day, and there was no way we weren’t going to comply. She was still Momma! We also took pictures with my grandma (her mom). About a couple of weeks later, my grandma suddenly died. The following year, my mom became paralyzed from the waist down.
Life can change in the blink of an eye. Make sure you cherish every moment with those you love.♥️
This morning, I asked God how I would know what His BEST was for me, and He assured me that I would know. He gave me an example of how I asked for something very specific—not asked in a prayer, just a random ask (nothing intentional)—and it happened. He said that’s how I will recognize the BEST. It’s not something I will have to seek, second guess, or question if it’s the BEST, I will just know.
I will know.
Deep, huh? Smile
That’s all for now. Praying you a wonderful day and blessed week!♥️
It’s Shaun’s World 
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