Tag: trust God

hope

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!☀️

Can you believe we’ve already reached the end of 2024?! This year flew by, but by the grace of God, we’re still here! Hallelujah, we are still here.🙏🏽

On December 29, 2021, I shared—

“Your next chapter will be AMAZING! Receive it. Speak it – “My next chapter will be AMAZING!” Own it!”

I’m smiling because I spoke it, received it, and now I’m owning it. I’m not sure when I stopped viewing my life as chapters in a book. Maybe it was during or after the COVID pandemic, or maybe it was last year, my Year 50. All I know is I haven’t thought about another chapter or looked forward to something AMAZING in years. I don’t have to because I’m already living in it. My life is already AMAZING—it just keeps getting better!

Y’all, I am absolutely loving this side of 50! Thank You, Lord, for making this side different and better than I ever imagined.

Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with viewing your life in the context of chapters. As you can see, I also did. However, I’ve reached a point where I try to find the AMAZING in everyday moments instead of waiting for it to miraculously show up in the future. Life is just too precious and short to keep waiting for something amazing to happen when it’s already happening now. Just look around and you’ll see it. Then, once you see it, receive it and own it. It’s yours!

That’s all I have for you now. Wishing you an AMAZING, relaxing Sunday.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

The Time Is Now!

Shaun Bradford

That’s how I ended my journal entry on December 28, 2014—“The time is now!!”

I wrote—

“2015 is only days away, am I ready? This is a must, not a want!! Get moving Shaun. Let God be your guide. I know you feel lost but you got this. The time is now!!”

I just love reading past journal entries. I swear they were written for me today. Baby, if no one else was going to motivate me, I was definitely going to motivate myself.

Today, I’m only days from 2025—I can’t believe it’s been ten years! Unlike ten years ago, I no longer feel lost or unsure about being ready. Nope, not this time. This time, I’m ready, moving, and God is guiding my every step. This time, the time is now!!

Ain’t God alright?!

Beyond Blessed♥️

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 44

Shaun Bradford

Yes, it’s after 3:00 AM and I’m awake. My new sleep schedule is a work in progress. Plus, it’s the weekend! Smile

Anyway, “trust” is on my mind. I was thinking about how I’ve had my guard up most of my life because life experiences have taught me not to trust too easily. There were times when I let my guard down for people I believed I could trust, only to be disappointed and heartbroken later. What hurt even worse was finding out they never had my best interest at heart. They were always out for themselves.

Well, God has been working on me in this area. His message has been constant—trust Him. Trust Him to bring people into my life who I can trust. This also means trusting Him when He says and shows me that someone doesn’t mean me well and must go.

So, I’m going to do something new. I’m going to lower my guard and trust God to bring people into my life who I can trust. If He says I can trust them, then I can trust them.♥️ ~Shaun

hope

Obedience 101, Part 2

Shaun Bradford

Listen, when I released the limits I had placed on myself by only posting at scheduled times and limiting the number of posts I shared, I had no idea how freeing it would be. Y’all, I feel like a genie without a bottle. Who knew I could post whenever I wanted to?! Smile. Oh, the limits we place on ourselves….

Anyhoo…

Here’s the second part of my message about obedience. It’s not the size of the ask that’s important, nor is it about the task. The importance lies in the act of being obedient.

You see, before I wrote my previous post about obedience, I was tasked with doing something simple but kept delaying it because I didn’t think it was important. Well, after only completing part of the task, I heard that still small voice say that I keep thinking my next is tied to something big or what I consider significant, but in reality, it’s tied to my obedience. Say, what?!!

Y’all, it’s never about the ask or the task but about our obedience.

So, be obedient. You don’t have to understand what God is asking you to do; just do it.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Our “Yes”

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!☀️

Just saw this quote by Pastor Mike Todd on Instagram— “God saw all of this before you said yes.”

Y’all, this quote hit my soul! I instantly thought about the yeses I’ve given God over the years and how where I am currently—physically, mentally, spiritually, etc.—is where God saw me before I even said “Yes.” He already knew what my “yes” would cost me. He already knew what my “yes” would bring me. He already knows where my “yes” is taking me.

If you didn’t know, your “yes” is just as powerful as, if not more powerful than, taking a leap of faith.

Our leaps of faith are usually dramatic—something others can see or follow. However, our yeses are very subtle and intimate. They are given with our hearts, and only God hears them. Sometimes, we say yes before we have a clear vision of what’s asked. The good part is, whenever we say “Yes” to God, we can rest assured that He will always be with us throughout our journey—He’s got us! And He will never ask us for more than He knows we are capable of achieving. If He asks, He already knows we can do it. (Let that sink in.)

Question—What have you said “yes” to lately?

Well, this is all I have for you at the moment. It’s raining, and I slept in. I’m really thinking about turning over and going back to sleep. Smile. I pray you have a fabulous day!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

Be Still and Watch God Work

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!☀️

Be still and watch God work.

Shared on this day last year with the caption— “Be still and let God be God.”

Praying you had a wonderful Christmas, and that the rest of your holiday season be filled with love, laughter, peace, blessings, and joy.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

I Believe in YOU

Shaun Bradford

I believe in you.

Yesss… YOU!

I believe you have what it takes to be all that God’s created you to be.

You got this!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

You’re God’s child.
hope

Prep Time is Up

Shaun Bradford
Trust God. He’s got you!🙏🏽

“I guess my prep time is up,” is what I wrote in my notes on December 24, 2020. I’m smiling because this message will forever be relevant, whether it’s next year or five to ten years from now. When you think about it, we are always preparing for something because God is always moving. He’s not a stagnant God. So, today, this message is for whatever God believes we are prepared to receive.

Smile, your preparation time is up. You’re ready!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

What a Difference Time and Experiences Make

Shaun Bradford

Good Morning!☀️

For several years now (since December 24, 2018), I have shared the same quote from Michelle Obama’s book “Becoming”–

“Am I good enough? Yes, in fact I am.”

For years, I questioned my worth. Seeing Michelle Obama (who’s #4 on my infamous list of people to meet) mention it in her book gave me hope. If she also questioned her worth at times and still surpassed her wildest dreams, then I could, too.

In 2018, I began a doctoral program to earn my DrPH (Doctor of Public Health) degree. I decided to pursue this degree after experiencing one of my most crushing moments professionally. Before then, I was always on top of my game. Personally, my life was in the pits, but professionally, it was taking off. Y’all, I was “The Research Diva!” I was so confident and sure of myself and where my career was going. Other professionals and organizations had begun contacting me because of my experience and expertise. However, I hadn’t accounted for some only reaching out because of the fact that I was Black. Once I realized I was only being used because of the color of my skin and my ability to reach populations some couldn’t, I was crushed.

After this realization, every project I was asked to work on, I questioned why I was asked. Was it because of the color of my skin? Did they truly recognize my worth? That’s when I felt if I had my doctorate, my race wouldn’t matter. But I already knew the answer to that, too.

So, for six years, I pursued the DrPH degree. I started strong, but then life happened…COVID happened…then life again. Last year, when I shared her quote, I had just finished another semester of the program, and I had a decision to make—spend more money working towards a degree that I was only pursuing to be deemed worthy or to withdraw. In May of this year, I finally withdrew from the program. Part of me felt like a failure because I couldn’t push past the fact that I was only doing it to prove my worth. Like girl, still get the degree! Then, the other half felt relieved because I could finally focus on the things I wanted to pursue, my real goals and dreams. I’m not sure if I’ll ever be referred to as Dr. LaShaundrea B.; however, I know I am worth more than a title and credentials.

Soooo…

Am I good enough?

Baby, YES! I’m more than good enough!

I now realize I needed to go through all of that craziness to get to where I am today. I can see where my ego and pride could’ve eventually been my downfall and at a higher level. Life is truly a journey.

Well, that’s all I have at the moment. Listen, if you are currently questioning if you are good enough, this is assurance that you are. You are more than good enough. You’re the best!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

hope

My Journey With God, No. 41

Shaun Bradford

This past Saturday, I volunteered at two events. The first involved assisting with distributing over 2,000 pounds of fresh greens (collards, mustards, and turnips) to the community—many thanks to Mississippi farmers for their donation! The second involved providing winter wear and a hot meal to people experiencing homelessness. This was at a candlelight vigil held for individuals who lost their lives while being homeless (see We Are Thriving’s post below).

Years ago, I asked God for time to do what I really wanted to do—spread love and hope to underserved and unserved communities. I wanted to be able to actually connect and interact with the people I served. Unfortunately, every promotion I received limited those opportunities and connections, and I hated it.

Fast forward to today. I’m doing what I love! Last Friday, I met with a local veterans organization and made a few connections. I’m looking forward to assisting them in the future. Then, on Saturday, I had the two events. At the end of the candlelight vigil, the organizer recognized me for my assistance. Not for the work everyone saw but for what they didn’t see. She told them I was her prayer partner and encourager. Y’all, it was so unexpected. When I say I am truly, truly blessed, this is what I mean!

I am so grateful that God has allowed me to do what I love. I pray that His light and love shine through me and be passed on to others through everyone I touch. Yes, this is my prayer.♥️ ~Shaun

My post for We Are Thriving – A Candlelight Vigil for Lives Lost in 2024.

A Candlelight Vigil for Lives Lost in 2024