Tag: thankful

hope

My Journey With God, No. 96

Shaun Bradford

On this day six years ago (May 26, 2019), I wrote the following—

“Goodbye comfort zone. It’s time to create the life I’ve always dreamed of.”

Then, when I shared it, I added the caption—

“Leaving my comfort zone,” and used the hashtags—Refocusing and Rebuilding.”

I wish I could say everything happened instantaneously, but it took me a while to leave my comfort zone—actually, it took a few years. Believe me, it wasn’t easy. I had become so comfortable where I was.

I’m so glad I made that decision. If I hadn’t, there is no telling what my life would be like today. I needed a change so I could grow. I needed my babies to see me evolving. I owed it to God to use the gifts He’d given me. And I owed it to myself to keep pursuing my dreams and purpose. I needed to become ME.

I am so very grateful for God’s love, grace, and patience with me. He did not give up on me or let me give up on myself. There were so many times when I wanted to quit and settle, but He wouldn’t let me. Y’all, He’s such a good God.

Sitting here in awe.

I’m no longer where I used to be.

I did it! ✨♥️

Shaun

hope

Be Still And Have Faith

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

How are you?

I hope you’re well.🌸

“Be still and have faith” is how I ended last year’s journal entry (May 26, 2024). I was becoming antsy and impatient because life wasn’t moving at the pace I wanted. I felt like I needed to do something. I needed to make things happen on my own because God wasn’t moving fast enough for me. I had thought of so many things I could’ve been doing, yet I heard to “be still and have faith.” Looking back over the past year, I am so grateful I was obedient. Had I not been, I would have missed out on so many opportunities as well as the connections and relationships I’ve built. What God has done in one year was taking me years to build.

Here’s my takeaway, or what I’ve learned—

Whenever you want to take control because God doesn’t seem to be moving, or He’s moving much too slowly—BE STILL! I even wrote in that entry, “Shaun, sit on your hands if you must.” And I almost needed to. BUT GOD!

Be still and have faith that God is going to do what He said He would do PLUS more! No lie, He will blow your mind!

I pray you have a wonderfully blessed day. Today is Memorial Day here in the United States. Please remember those who sacrificed their lives for us to have the freedoms we still have today.♥️

I love you,

Shaun

hope

This Is How God Works

Shaun Bradford

This is how God works in my life! When I tell you He loves me!🥰

Short story…

Last night, in my post, “Service Before Self,” I wrote—

“I miss that life [Air Force life]. I miss the camaraderie. We were more than coworkers and colleagues. We were family.”

I ended it with—

“I believe I need to visit an Air Force base soon. I need to see my people.”

Fast forward to God hearing and delivering!

Below is a reply from my friend, who happens to be a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel. Notice the time stamp: Friday, 8:55 PM. That was the time she replied to one of my Facebook stories. Well, I didn’t see it until after 8:00 AM this morning.

After seeing her message, I called her several times, but the calls kept failing. Then, I texted and messaged her, but she never responded. By 8:30, I was heading to her house. When I tell you all kinds of thoughts were going on in my head. “What if she was on the road and her car broke down?” “What if she was hurt or needed me to drive her somewhere?” “What if she had fallen and couldn’t get up?!” She is 84, so it’s possible (plus she’s always joking about it😅). So, what was I supposed to think?

By the time I got to her house, I was in tears and preparing myself for the worst. Her car was in her driveway, so she wasn’t stranded somewhere. I rang the doorbell, and guess who came to the door smiling? It was her, all happy to see me. All I could do was hug her. Y’all, she had forgotten that she had replied to my story. And her message was supposed to say, “Call me” instead of “Car.” Ugh… That crazy autocorrect! And when she said she needed “some help,” she meant she needed help finding something.

Anyhoo… I ended up spending the day with her and having a lovely time. It wasn’t until this afternoon that I realized God had given me what I wanted and needed—time with my Air Force family, and I didn’t have to wait.🥰

I am forever in awe of my God! I cannot express enough how truly grateful and blessed I am.♥️

Shaun

** By the way… THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!!! In exactly ONE MONTH, I will be 52!!!🎉🎉🎉

hope

Fix It

Shaun Bradford

Never patch what you can repair. Instead, take your time and fix it. Fix it or it will continue to fall apart.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

More Than Conquerors

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning☀️

How are you?

I hope you’re well.🌺

Yes, YOU!

All day yesterday and now, this morning, the song that’s been on repeat in my head is Kirk Franklin & the Family’s song, “Conquerors.” The song says—

We ran the race, we kept the fight. We shed our blood for what was right. We carried our cross through storm and rain. Because of Christ now we can say—We are conquerors, conquerors. We are conquerors, conquerors.
. . . More than conquerors. More than conquerors. More than conquerors.

Whatever you may be up against, know that God’s given you the strength to endure and overcome it. You are more than a conqueror.

I pray you have the loveliest of days. Remember, God’s got you.♥️

I love you,

Shaun

hope

“Service Before Self”

Shaun Bradford

The United States Air Force has three core values:

  1. Integrity First
  2. Service Before Self
  3. Excellence In All We Do

I am so hyped right now! “Air Force Elite: Thunderbirds” on Netflix is a must see!

I’m experiencing so many feelings at this moment.

Gratefulness: So grateful I had the opportunity to serve. Who knew that waking up one morning and deciding to join the Air Force would have this much of an impact on my life?

Nostalgia: I miss that life. I miss the camaraderie. We were more than coworkers and colleagues. We were family. (Been trying to find that same connection in the civilian world, but I’m not sure it exists.)

Pumped Up: I won’t leak any spoilers, but that ending! Listen, I already knew what was going to happen. There’s something about pressure and adrenaline that pushes you to excel.

And seeing General Jumper was the icing on the cake. I knew who he was before they even showed his name. I served under his command in Europe. Talk about chills!

Seeing this documentary made me feel like I was back at home. I believe I need to visit an Air Force base soon. I need to see my people.☺️

I am beyond blessed and so grateful.🥰

Shaun