Life

Nine Years

Earlier I shared, “Here I Am.”

Five years ago (March 26, 2019), I wrote the following in my journal:

“Today is the day we separated for good. I can’t believe it’s been four years. Four years. Didn’t think I’d make it four years off of patience.”

Actually, it was patience and a lot of prayer that got me through that time.

Just the day before—March 25, 2019—I was finally able to sign the divorce papers. It had been four long years of me patiently waiting for everything to work out. Of me trying not to rock the boat. Of me being kind, thoughtful and considerate. Yeah… I was all of that. Four years of suffering in silence; biting my tongue; allowing others (those who I thought loved me) treat me like trash for deciding to divorce a “good man” (their words). For deciding to listen to what God had been telling me to do for years, but I was too afraid to. I was never supposed to marry him, yet I did. I knew this. Tried to explain this, only to be treated like I was the most horrible person on earth. So, I waited. I waited four years for him to come to terms with the fact that we were actually divorcing. His lawyer said he was finally ready. I was so happy. Signed the papers, and he refused to sign them. Y’all, I had never experienced anger in my life until that point. Never… and I had had some pretty messed up stuff happen to me before then. However, I never got to the point of anger, until then. Whew!!

As I shared earlier today—I am here, and I am still standing! Y’all, what was meant to destroy me did not take me out! I made it!!!

Forever grateful for God’s love, mercy, and grace. I made it!♥️

Shaun

Life

It’s Not Over

I can hear Maurette Brown Clark singing, “It Ain’t Over.”

The song says:

“It ain’t over until God says it’s over. Keep fighting until your victory is won.”

Keep fighting until your victory is won.

Love you!♥️

Shaun

Life

Declare Victory and Focus on the Good

Y’all, I am really considering bringing back my Wednesday Writings. I used to share so much…perhaps a little too much. Guess you can say it’s where I shared my most transparent moments and feelings. Below is one I shared last year on this date. When I say it’s so timely and right on point!

Yesterday, I wrote about the atmosphere shift I could feel taking place, and about staying rooted and grounded in God and most importantly staying covered. Well, last year I wrote about declaring victory not defeat. Baby, I was going through some things and I had to let the enemy know that NO WEAPON formed against me would prosper!!! And I took the advice I shared yesterday, I stayed rooted and grounded in God and allowed Him to lead. Here’s a little of what I shared.

Facebook Memory: December 21, 2022

Y’all, life happens and challenges come. Be sure to VERBALLY declare victory over the overwhelming. Yes, speak your victory into the universe and watch things change.♥️

Speak it!

Listen, I was going through some things and at this moment, I am still going through a few things. Seems like you can never have the good without a little bit of bad or vice versa, you have the bad but there is always a little bit of good in each moment. My advice is to focus on the good, the positive. Focus on how great our God is. Y’all, He’s so good!! So very good. Honestly, I can barely remember what I was going through last year, but I know that whatever it was God handled it, and I know He will handle things again. I needed this memory. I am declaring victory over my life. What the enemy meant for harm will not prevail! My God is greater and mightier! Amen

Y’all, I cannot stress it enough, I am truly, truly blessed! I just love the way God loves me. He always provides exactly what I need when I need it. Forever grateful.

Thanks for reading. I pray that you are preparing for a peaceful and relaxing holiday break (those who have one), and spending the holidays with family and friends.

Be Blessed!♥️

Shaun

Life

You Are Victorious

This post is for those currently experiencing setbacks, heartbreaks, and disappointments. Despite how dire life might seem at the moment, please know that your story is far from over. You cannot give up. You are so loved. Brighter days are ahead. Believe me, you will make it as you have many times before. There is no doubt that you will win!

As Pastor Joel Osteen would say, “You are the victor.” You will win as you always have. Remember, God’s got you!

I can hear Yolanda Adams singing, Victory. Can’t you? Smile

Love you.♥️

Shaun

Life

Covered By God

There’s no greater feeling than knowing you are covered by God.♥️ ~ Shaun

Life

All Praise to God

In exactly one month from today, I will be 49 years old. As I think back over my life, I cannot think of a time where I actually believed I achieved things on my own. I have always known that everything I am and everything I have is owed to God. I also know that all blessings and accomplishments yet to come will be due to Him. Y’all, I’m so grateful for His love.🙏🏽♥️ ~ Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

Today’s blog is a song by William Murphy, Praise is What I Do.

Praise is What I Do
by William Murphy
Courtesy of Musixmatch

Come on, song goes like this

Praise is what I do
When I wanna be close to You
I lift my hands in praise (oh, oh, come on)
Praise is who I am (let’s declare it church)
I will praise Him while I can
I’ll bless You at all times (I vow)

I vow to praise You (when you gon’ praise Him church?)
Through the good and the bad
I’ll praise You (whether happy or sad)
Whether happy or sad (I will)
I’ll praise You (thank you Jesus)
In all that I go through (yeah)
Because praise is what I do
‘Cause I owe it all to You

Praise is what I do (even when I’m going through)
Even when I’m going through (say, I finally learned church)
I’ve learned to worship You (yeah, yeah)
(And I declare)
No my circumstance (doesn’t even stand a chance)
Doesn’t even stand a chance (’cause my praise)
My praise outweighs the bad (so I vow to praise)

I vow to praise You (I need somebody to wave your hands and declare)
Through the good and the bad (I will)
I’ll praise You (doesn’t matter how I feel)
Whether happy or sad (I will)
I’ll praise You (in all that I go through)
In all that I go through
Because praise is what I do (I owe)
‘Cause I owe it all to You

This section was omitted from the online lyrics but is included in the song.
[Now I just need someone to open your mouth and give Him a crazy praise.
Somebody send the praise to the nation.
Somebody send the praise to Africa.
Somebody send the praise to China.]

Praise is what I do (open up your mouth church)
(It’s what I do)
It’s what I do
(Yes, church open up your mouth and somebody clap those hands and declare)

Praise is what I do
(It’s what I do)
It’s what I do
(Somebody [send] the praise to Germany)
(Somebody [send] the praise to France)

Praise is what I do (it’s what I do, yeah)
(It’s what I do, it’s what I do)
(It’s what I do)
It’s what I do
(Somebody [send a] praise to [Bankhead])
(Somebody [send a] praise to [Buckhead], yeah)
Praise is what I do
(Yeah)

Source: Musixmatch Songwriter: William Murphy III Praise Is What I Do lyrics © Lilly Mack Music, M3m Music

Be Blessed

Shaun

Life

Happy Wednesday!

Since I usually write on Wednesdays and Sundays, I’m thinking about creating one title for Wednesdays as I did with Sundays. Everyone seems to use Wisdom Wednesday. Well, as you know, my blogs aren’t always written to inspire. Most of them are about my wonderfully, crazy life. Yeah.. I’ll figure something out.

So how are things going since I resigned? FABULOUS! Part of me keeps saying this is the honeymoon phase, things will get bad. Then I hear God say, “Shaun, this is really it!” A couple of weeks before my last day, I was thinking about how others would respond to my news. I told myself they would say, “Well, you know it’s not going to be easy.” And at that moment God stopped me and asked, “Why can’t it be easy?” This changed my entire thought process. We’re so conditioned to believe every blessing comes with a struggle, yet we say, “With God ALL things are possible.” God let me know then that He had already prepared the way. All I had to do was allow Him to lead. Whew!! Y’all, and I love where He’s taking me. Listen, when He says jump, I don’t ask why, I ask how high! I love adventures and so far this is the wildest ride yet.

Listen, whatever God’s asked you to do or give up, just do it. No questions asked. He’s got you!

Be Blessed

Shaun

Life

Hello Sunday

I guess you can say this is my second blog for this morning and third blog this weekend. Earlier, I decided to post a thread on Twitter. Just had a few things on my mind and didn’t feel like journaling or using it for my Hello Sunday’s blog.

Read this quote minutes ago- “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” In some ways it’s misleading. The quote doesn’t factor in things that happen randomly such as things we can’t control. On the other hand, it’s still accurate. Whatever future we desire we have to be intentional about creating. Which brings me to the book launch for Finally Free – it was a success!! Y’all, I’m so proud of myself and all of the other authors. We worked our butts off promoting this book. In the end, it all paid off. See reblog below.

Anyway, since the beginning of the year, I’ve often found myself telling others, “This year will be different because I plan to make it different.” I feel like it’s becoming my mantra. I have chosen to intentionally create the future I desire and deserve, all while following God’s lead. After the book was released, I asked God what’s next. You see, life is too short to keep taking unnecessary breaks. I’ll rest and pamper myself when needed, however, this time, I have to keep moving.

Please enjoy my blog from A Research Diva’s Journey.

THIS Just Happened

Best Selling Author. Number 1 new release in several categories. Bold. Tenacious. Fearless. Triumphant. THIS is what happens when you listen to God …

THIS Just Happened