Tag: thankful

hope

My Journey With God, No. 93

Shaun Bradford

I’m built to stand on my own ten. So, I’m good. –Shedeur Sanders

I saw a snippet of an interview with Shedeur Sanders expressing how all his drafted teammates were drafted in pairs or more and had each other to lean on, but he didn’t. He’s in it alone. The clip ended with his quote above—basically, he’s saying he’s built to hold his own.

When I tell you I felt what he said to my core! I’ve spent my entire life feeling like I have had to do things alone—to hold my own. Not because I wanted to, but because I was raised to feel like it was expected of me. When you are the oldest and in charge of everything and everyone younger than you, there is no one else to depend on. You are it! So, you learn to stand alone. I believe this is one of the reasons I have a difficult time expressing emotions like sadness, grief, and even pain. Expressing them makes me feel vulnerable and as if I can’t handle them on my own. BUT… I’m working on it. Little by little, I am beginning to open up and express those feelings, not only in writing but verbally. I am slowly realizing and accepting that it’s okay to let others know when I am not feeling strong. I don’t have to hold my own if I don’t have to.

Y’all, I am so grateful that God continues to reveal areas where I still need healing and pruning. I look forward to meeting the woman I will be a year from now and even ten years from now. (Just another nugget of encouragement I’m leaving myself. Girl, you’re growing!☺️.)

God, thank You for loving me.♥️

Shaun

hope

Celebrating Mother’s Day

Shaun Bradford

When I woke up this morning, the last thing I wanted to do was celebrate Mother’s Day. I just wasn’t feeling it. But God and my daughter had different plans. I’m so glad she decided to come home this weekend. I needed her company. I needed the love, laughs, hugs (from both of my hearts), and good food. I may have lost my mother, but… I am a mother. God blessed me with two beautiful souls. How could I not celebrate this honor?

My daughter is on her way back home. We did more in about 18 hours than we would have done the entire weekend. When I tell you we laughed, danced, sang, ate, watched Netflix (started “Forever”), had a few deep conversations, and ate some more.🥰

To the mothers and mother figures who nurture and give selflessly, “Happy Mother’s Day!” You are loved and appreciated.💕🌸💗

Shaun

hope

Update: I Need To Get This Out …

Shaun Bradford

Good Evening!✨

I wanted to share an update to this morning’s post, “I Need To Get This Out, Please Bear With Me.” In short, I’m feeling so much better. I decided to drive up for the funeral today instead of waiting until tomorrow. And I’m glad I did. As much as I wanted to be alone, I needed to be around family. I needed the love, laughs, and hugs. God is good.

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers! I needed them. Wishing you a peaceful, relaxing evening.🙏🏽♥️

Love you always,

Shaun

hope

Roses

Shaun Bradford

My photo memory is filled with pictures of roses. These just happened to be saved on May 8th.🌹♥️

May 8, 2020
May 8, 2016

When I was a little girl, almost every house on my great, great grandparents’ street had rose bushes. There was even a lady who lived down the street named Ms. Rosie, who had a yard full of roses. I said that I’d have a whole garden of roses when I grew up. Instead, I have a phone full of photos and drawings of roses. Smiling because life is funny. Gotta love it.♥️

Shaun

hope

The Final Say

Shaun Bradford

That’s the message!

God has the final say.

Hang in there.

He’s got you!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

The Best View

Shaun Bradford
Image saved on May 6, 2020. Photo credit: Unknown

“The best view comes after the hardest climb.”

If you haven’t seen it yet, keep climbing! It’s coming.♥️

Love you much,

Shaun

hope

Thank You

Shaun Bradford

When was the last time you thanked God for just being God? For being who He is? Y’all, He’s so amazing. So powerful.

Be sure to take a moment and acknowledge God for who He is. He’s so good.♥️

I love you always,

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 92

Shaun Bradford

Last year I wrote—

“Heal so you can grow. If you do not heal, you will never grow to reach your fullest potential.”

Now, you’ll grow, and grow well in certain areas of your life, but you’ll never reach your fullest, God–ordained potential. At least, that’s what God told me, and I passed the message along to you. Smile.

When I turned 50, I asked God to allow me to live out my next 50+ years differently than my previous, and one of His answers was that I needed to heal. As much as I wanted to reset my life, I still had baggage I never fully unpacked or addressed—shame, guilt, disappointments, heartbreaks, and other hurts. I had to address them first so I could begin healing.

At first, I felt like my world had been turned upside down. Nothing was the same. My mom had just passed the month before. Then, God kept revealing the areas where I needed to make changes. I called it my pruning season because baby, I was being PRUNED! I was being pruned in all the places I needed healing. So, it was necessary.

Now, here I am, almost two years on this side of 50, and I can honestly say my life has changed—for the best. Not only do I feel it, but I’m beginning to see it, too. Although it’s all new, and I’m still working through some things—healing is a journey—I love my new life over 50. I’m determined more than ever to reach my fullest potential before I leave this earth. I want to see every God–given dream from childhood until now manifested. My recent experiences with so many second chances only prove that I’m not too old or too late for them to come true.

God is so very good. I’m blessed.♥️

Shaun

hope

You Can Handle It

Shaun Bradford
Found in my saved photos—May 4, 2019. Photo Credit: Unknown

As we know, life will always be lifeing. Just know that you can handle any and everything thrown your way. And when things become a bit too much for you to handle, release control and pass them on to God. He’s got your back. You’re covered!♥️

Love you much,

Shaun

hope

I Am Grateful For…

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

I am grateful for…

Life

Love

Family

Friends

And my two hearts (my babies)

Good health

A sound mind

My relationship with God

And my connection with YOU!

Thank you for always stopping by to read, like, comment, and/or speak. Your presence and support are greatly appreciated.🙏🏽💕

I pray that you have a lovely, self-love Saturday. May it be filled with love, joy, and peace.♥️

I love you,

Shaun