Tag: trust God

Life

Hello Sunday

Shaun Bradford

Today’s Facebook memory has me smiling from ear to ear and in tears. Y’all, what are the odds of actually getting a second chance, getting a do over? Listen, and hear me good, DO NOT give up on your dreams. I can hear Yolanda Adams singing—

“I have a word to share with you. Those who feel God has forgotten you. I know you feel your time has passed. God’s only saving the best for last. And your future’s greater than your past.” Donald Lawrence’s Best For Last featuring Yolanda Adams

I know this word isn’t only for me!! Listen, it’s not over. Your dreams are still intact. If God has given me another go at my dreams, I know He will do the same for you. Your time has not passed. Nope. Not at all. God was only saving the best for last. Your future will be greater than your past.

My advice, because this is what I did and am still doing, stop trying to figure this thing called life out. Stop trying to figure out what your future will look like. Honestly, we can paint a million pictures of how our future might look and God will flip the script and do something we never imagined. We cannot predict what will happen or how things will turn out. We just can’t. So, let life flow and be open to new opportunities and possibilities, and keep your dreams alive. Don’t let them go. I’m seeing 80 year olds getting their doctorate degrees. So all isn’t lost, just delayed until the right time; and only God knows when that is. Until then, enjoy the here and now. Stay present and let God do the rest.

Love you!♥️

Shaun

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to have another conversation with the late John Lewis. However, that opportunity happened by chance anyway. I literally bumped into him as he was coming out of his office. Truly a destiny moment. This is definitely a sign that I cannot give up. I must keep going.
Life

Purpose Part 3

Shaun Bradford

Decided to continue my Purpose series (didn’t know it would become one). For years, I have known what my purpose was/is; however, I have never known how to fully embrace it. My purpose is connected to my dreams and part of my DNA, and there are people attached to them.

Here is another Facebook memory (had so many gems today, some I shared elsewhere):

Facebook Memory: June 8, 2019

Happy Saturday! Here’s today’s social media find. Progress IS progress. Encourage others, but also encourage yourself. It’s true, we’re usually our own worst critic. Just because you’re not where you thought you’d be by now, doesn’t mean you’re not making progress.

This is where journals come in handy. Journals allow us to look back and see how far we’ve actually come. Believe me, if you’re better off than you were a year ago (like me 🙋🏽‍♀️), then you’re making progress. So cut yourself some slack. You’re doing great! Remember, God is working!!

It’s definitely been slow, but continuous. Had a few setbacks but I kept going, and will keep going. Photo Credit: Unknown

This was my first time serving as President-Elect. Beyond grateful for second chances. I had so much more to give, so much more to do. Listen, even when you have given up on your dreams, God has not given up on you. Your purpose is much too great for you not to keep going.

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Don’t Mind Me

Shaun Bradford

Listen, don’t mind me. It’s Friday. I’m well rested. And I feel like pouring into others as I am being poured into. Saw this message from Pastor Steven Furtick and wanted to share it with you.

You got this!!

Listen, everything you have been going through and are currently experiencing is just preparation. Think of it as a boot camp. You see, God is preparing you for your upcoming assignment. You know, that assignment you keep trying to avoid but it just won’t go away? Yes…that one.

My advice– Stop running and stand in it! I keep telling you, God’s got you!!♥️ ~Shaun

*This may or may not be my last post for today. We shall see.☺️

Life

The Divine Plan

Shaun Bradford

Last year on this date, I shared two posts—one was about purpose, which I basically reshared this morning, and other was the reblog below. The reblog was based on a message written on a butterfly display —“Your life is unfolding according to The Divine plan.”

Stay focused on God, not what’s going on around you. Believe me, He’s got you!

And life is doing just that, unfolding according to God’s plan. Although we have some control over how it unfolds, it’s probably not as much as we would like, and that’s a good thing. Keeps us humble. What I have learned over this past year is to allow life to do what it’s going to do. Of course I must continue to do my part which is to keep striving towards my goals and dreams. However, I cannot get caught up in the whirlwind of things happening around me, nor allow the tactics of the enemy (because they are real) throw me off course. I must remember at all times, and you should too, life is unfolding according to God’s plan, and He is in control.

Praying you have a lovely day and wonderful weekend.♥️

Love you always,

Shaun


Just Had to Share
Life

Make Your Story Beautiful

Shaun Bradford

A few years ago, I shared the following image with the caption, “What are you writing? Hope it’s something beautiful.”

Shared on Facebook on June 6, 2021. (Photo credit: Unknown)

None of us knows what the future holds. Most of the time we look at it through the lens of our past. If we are not careful, we will continue to write and create the same stories.

This year (Year50), and my mom’s death, forced me to stop and reflect on the limiting patterns and stories I kept repeating and creating. Some I had been doing my entire life. I couldn’t seem to let certain parts of my past go. Not so much physically, but mentally. However, once I decided this side of 50 would be different, I intentionally began to make it different. And I am still doing so. It’s an ongoing process that I am committed to continuing. Not sure where my story will take me, but I do know—not believe—it will be beautiful.

I pray your future is just as beautiful. My advice is to release control and allow God to do the rest.♥️

Love you always,

Shaun

Side note: I used to be terrified of giving God complete control. Didn’t fully trust Him with my future. (Being transparent.) I believed He would bypass my dreams and aspirations to only fulfill His purpose and plan. Now I realize my dreams and aspirations were always part of His purpose and plan. He’s the one who gave them to me. So I have to trust Him to do the rest.

This is Year50…

Life

Already Equipped

Shaun Bradford

God has already equipped us with everything we need at this present moment to fulfill our purpose and calling for this present moment. Of course, we may desire more. I mean, that’s human nature. However, we do not need more. Y’all, it is on us to make things happen with what God has already provided. As we need more, He will provide more.♥️ ~Shaun

You are already equipped and ready to go. So make things happen!

Life

“Wait” — That’s The Message

Shaun Bradford

Was laying here about to write and schedule my first blog for today (it’s currently after midnight) when I came across this message in one of my journal entries. Could’ve sworn I was reading an entry from June 4, 2021. However, it happened to be from JANUARY 4, 2021. Anyhoo, maybe someone needs this message so I am sharing it now. Afterwards, I’m going to go read what I actually wrote on JUNE 4, 2021 and see if there’s anything I want to share before writing my post. Maybe this is a sign as well as a message for me that I need to go back to sleep and wait to write. Smile

Shaun’s Journal Entry: January 4, 2021

What do you do while you wait? I just heard, “wait.”

Wait.

That’s the answer.

Then, you keep waiting until God instructs you to move. Believe me, you will know when the time is right. You will know because everything will line up perfectly, unforced. You know, the kind of thing that just ends up happening and leaves you wondering how it happened.

Yes… that’s when you’ll know.

Until then, wait.

Good night!♥️

Shaun

Life

Timing

Shaun Bradford

Here’s another memory about timing. Smiling because even after I made this post six years ago, I still had more deadlines and things I wanted to accomplish by age 50. Now, everything I said back in 2018 about releasing it all, is true. No more deadlines. Everything will happen when it’s time. Although I can’t see myself being an elder and finally fulfilling certain dreams, so many others have had to wait to see their dreams come to fruition and they are doing quite well. Which means I’m going to be just fine. What’s meant to happen will happen. My job is to enjoy every moment of the here and now. Smiling

Facebook Memory: June 3, 2018

Good Morning! Trust God’s timing. I used to create deadlines. Deadlines are good for work projects, but can be horrible for your personal life. I had a deadline for everything- when I wanted to have my first child, my second child, get married and so on. Well, I got all of those things by my deadline. However, I wasn’t ready for what I received. God sent warning signs but I overrode each one so that it would fit my timing, my deadline.

A few years ago, I let go of the deadlines. I decided to leave it ALL in God’s hand and to actually heed the warnings. Needless to say, nothing happened as I’d planned. NOTHING! But the BEST part of it all was God’s timing was ALWAYS on point! I look back over the years and see where I was about to make another decision based on FEAR of missing an opportunity, or a deadline I set for myself years ago (those young adult deadlines), and God said WAIT.. BE STILL! I waited and things turned out better than I’d ever imagined. For real! Y’all just don’t know how grateful I am that I listened.

Now this year- 2018- this year has been rough. All of “my” deadlines have been thrown aside. Yes, I went back to setting deadlines. I’m human. Lol! Now I’m back to trusting God’s timing. I already KNOW that the outcome will be so much better that what I’ve planned. Amen!

Best advice– “Be still and wait!” Don’t rush a thing. God knows best.

Two events on my timeline that I set when I was around 19 or 20—that I was adamant about—was having my first child at 21 and the second by 30. Well, at the time that they were conceived I had already changed my mind; however, it happened anyway. Yes, they happened and they’re the best gifts I could have added to my timeline. Never knew how important they would be in my life. God is good. Even when I had changed my mind, He already had a plan for that ask.

Well, let me get moving. This month I’m not in a rush to do anything. So my posts will happen sporadically, no specific time frame. I will try to post them somewhat around the same times (will try to schedule them), but my mind is on vacation (wish I was physically) and things will get done at my leisure. I ain’t stressing none this month. Laughing

Have a blessed week!♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

Timing & Freedom

Shaun Bradford

Timing and freedom, both are so very significant. Trying not to become too emotional, but you already know that’s not going to happen. Y’all, I waited over four years for my freedom (the divorce). Words can’t even describe how I felt when I received the call that the papers were signed. Til this day, I am forever grateful to God for seeing me through. I made it! Can you imagine being stuck in limbo for years?! So glad I made it.

As Marvin Sapp sings— “So if you see me cry, it’s just a sign that I’m still alive. Got some scars, but I’m still alive. In spite of calamity, He still has a plan for me and it’s working for my good and it’s building my testimony.” Hallelujah! I made it!!

Here’s what I shared after I received the news.

Facebook Memory: May 31, 2019

Trust God’s timing. It’s absolutely perfect. He’s forever working behind the scenes. Be blessed! Rejoicing

Divinely perfect!

And, I am assuming the post below happened first by the way it’s written and the order in which it showed up in my memories. Y’all, I had no clue of what that day was going to bring. Had no idea God was working behind the scenes. Can’t stop crying. When I tell you God is soooo strategic. It happened at the end of my 45th year, right before I crossed the threshold (June 1st) to begin celebrating entering my 46th year. I keep telling you, I love my birthdays. They are God’s precious gifts. I am truly blessed.

Anyhoo… here’s the other memory. And y’all, it’s Friday again!!

Facebook Memory: May 31, 2019

Happy Friday!! Here’s today’s social media find– a little happy to get you through the weekend.☺️ Stop stressing and follow your dreams. Keep Dreaming

Following my dreams.

Have a blessed day and fabulous weekend.♥️

Love you,

Shaun

Life

I Am Worthy of God’s Best

Shaun Bradford

Facebook Memory: May 31, 2022

Affirmation on Repeat:
“I am worthy. Yes, ME. I am worthy of God’s best.”

Listen.. and hear me good.. YOU are worthy of God’s absolute best. You don’t have to settle for less.

Yes, you and me both. We are worthy of God’s absolute best. No more settling for less.

Guess what?! Tomorrow is my birthday month!!!! Listen, I don’t care how old I get, I love celebrating my birthday! Just saying the word birthday makes me feel like I’m a kid again. Smiling. Looking forward to ending my jubilee year on 10 and bringing in Year51 on 100!! Y’all, I am already hyped and I have absolutely no idea what I’m going to do. Probably nothing. However, it’s always the excitement leading up to my birthday that’s the true gift. If I happen to actually do something spectacular, then it will be the icing—real buttercream icing—on the cake. Blessed

Anyhoo… Wishing you a wonderful day and magnificent weekend!♥️

Year51 is loading!

Shaun