Tag: Thursday

Life

Friendships

Shaun Bradford

In a few hours I will be picking up my bestie of 48 years from the airport. This will be our first time seeing each other in person this year. I’m so excited! She will only be here for a day, but any time with her is always wonderful. I can’t wait to see her! God knew I needed this.

Friendships…

Lately, my circle of friends has become smaller. I guess I should now refer to it as tiny. Yeah, 2023 has been some year. Most of the ones I have now I have had for decades. Thankfully they are not fair-weather friends. They can actually stand the rain. Hmm…Now I have to listen to Johnny Gill’s “Fairweather Friend,” or New Edition’s “Can You Stand The Rain” or any JG or NE/BBD (because now I’m hearing “When Will I See You Smile Again”) song for that matter. Laughing. Baby, I can go on and on with the songs. I am NE4Life!!

Anyhoo…As always, my Facebook memories are so timely. Although I shared this song a week or so ago in another post, I also shared it two years ago.

Facebook Memory: December 28, 2021

“Keep smiling. Keep shining. Knowing you can always count on me, for sure. That’s what friends are for.” Dionne Warwick

“In good times and bad times I’ll be on your side forevermore. That’s what friends are for.”

Today’s going to be a great day! I pray you have a strong circle of friends or at least one true friend. Friendships are so important. Wishing you a wonderful day! Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Chosen

Shaun Bradford

Have you ever asked God, “Why me?”? If you have not, I most certainly have. I never asked disrespectfully, but I have asked. Y’all, I have questioned God so much at times that I know if He were human He would be sick of me.

Today’s Facebook memory is similar to the answers I typically receive after asking. Also, on that particular day (saw another post I shared), Pastor Steven Furtick had shared a snippet of his sermon about being chosen.

Facebook Memory: December 14, 2021

God chose YOU! Let that sink in. Feel it. Own it. Believe it.

Being chosen doesn’t always feel good. In fact, it often feels heavy. Just remember, you are not in this alone. God’s right there with you. He will never leave you. Trust Him.

Here’s a screenshot of Pastor Furtick’s post.

Whatever God has chosen you to do, you can do it. He will never choose you for something only to let you fail. Nope, not my God! So, trust Him. Continue allowing Him to lead and remain obedient. When you get tired, lean into Him and rest. Then, get back up and keep going. Believe me, He’s got you.

Wishing you a wonderfully, blessed day. Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Stand Strong

Shaun Bradford

Unfortunately, life does not come with a blue print. If it did, most of us would modify areas to fit our desires. But no, life is one of those things that is constructed as we move through it. Sometimes we reach staircases that climb and some that descend. Sometimes we reach the end of hallways and have to turn around and take a different path. Some doors are opened, while others are locked. Some locked doors come with keys that we have to find before we can unlock them. Yes, it’s stressful and often frustrating. But it’s life. As so many wise ones have said, God will never put more on us than we can bear.

Stand strong. Stand in faith. Trust God. He’s making a way. Don’t worry about what will come next. Let God handle that. Remember, our steps are already ordered and things can change with each new step.♥️ ~Shaun

TikTok Memory (yeah I have those too – smile):

God’s got you! XOXO

Life

The Beginning

Shaun Bradford

What may seem like the ending is actually the beginning. Prepare to fly.♥️ ~Shaun

There are so many wonderful things awaiting you. Do not give up.

Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Be Encouraged: God is Working

Shaun Bradford

William Becton’s song, “Be Encouraged,” says:

I know right now it's impossible to see,
But God is gonna work it out if you just believe.
Remember this one thing while you're going through,
If God delivered Daniel, He'll do the same for you.

Be encouraged no matter what's going on,
He'll make it alright,
But you gotta stay strong.
Source: Musixmatch
God’s got you.♥️

Shaun

Life

Your Tears Will Not Be Wasted

Shaun Bradford
Hang in there! You are not the sacrifice.

You must believe that every setback you have had, every tear you have shed, and all of the pain you have endured has not been for nothing. God will not allow any of these things to break you or take you out. Instead, He will use all of it for your good. Just hang in there. I am praying for you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Don’t Limit God

Shaun Bradford

I have had this as my cover/header on several of my social media platforms for three years now. Three years! Three years and I still find myself placing limits on God. Shaking my head.

Don’t limit God

Do Not Limit God!

A couple of days ago, I went on a 24 hour adventure with a feisty, fearless 82 year old. When I tell you she’s not afraid to live! She kept saying, “Aww LaShaundra (not LaShaundrea), you’re a scaredy cat.” When I tell you she’s so spontaneous. Everything I once was. Probably everything I could still be if I would have stayed out of my head.

Now I am sitting here asking myself what would happen if I completely let go… like completely. What limits am I blocking? Hmmm…

In the words of one of my all time favorite people in the world, “Higher is waiting.” Y’all, I believe that’s my answer. That’s what I am blocking. I’m blocking something higher. Guess it’s time to take those limits off and soar! I can do this!!!

Wishing you a wonderful Thursday. Love you!♥️

Shaun

Gotta love Year50. When I tell you I was not expecting my year to be anything like this. When I say God is pruning me for real. Y’all, it’s scary, uncomfortable, and somewhat painful; however, I am trusting God to take me somewhere wonderfully, unimaginable. Somewhere where my heart will sing again, the butterflies will flutter, and I will experience an overflow of joy, blessings and unconditional love, forever…

Life

Be Patient

Shaun Bradford

You have seen the vision. Be patient. You are either being prepared or protected. In due season, all things will be revealed.♥️ ~Shaun

You may not understand it today, but you will in time. Delayed is not denied.
Life

Be Encouraged

Shaun Bradford

I can hear William Becton singing –

Be encouraged no matter what's going on,
He'll make it all right,
But you gotta stay strong.

I know right now it's impossible to see,
But God is gonna work it out if you just believe.
Remember this one thing while you're going through,
If God delivered Daniel, He'll do the same for you.

Be encouraged no matter what's going on,
He'll make it all right,
But you gotta stay strong.

Know your labor is not in vain.♥️
Stay in prayer while waiting and listening for your next moves.

Y’all, politics is not my thing. I have never been interested in being involved in more than encouraging people to vote and showing my support by sharing information. Now I am doing things that are stretching me far beyond my comfort levels. I’m not sure what God is doing; however, I know from experience that whatever this is it’s preparing me for future endeavors. As Bishop Jakes says, you cannot have change without disruption, and boy has disruption come.

Here is what I have learned and am still learning – my job is to lean into God, allow Him to lead, move when He says move and be still when He says be still. AND I must do ALL of this while operating from a space of peace. Talk about challenging, but if He believes I am capable of doing it, then I can do it.

Shaun