Tag: Wednesday

Life

Your Blessings Will Find You

Shaun Bradford

Already up reading past journal entries so I may as well write. This particular message is a brief summary of what I wrote eight years ago, August 2, 2015.

Message…

Your blessings will find you. You won’t have to seek them out, God will deliver them to you. Remain faithful.

Eight years ago, I was at one of my lowest points in life. I had recently separated from my ex; car was breaking down every other day; house was going into foreclosure; and I didn’t know if I would get the raise that I so badly needed. That was eight years ago. In that same journal entry I wrote –

“I feel like the world is weighing down on me. This load is very heavy, but I thank God for helping me make it daily. The steps forward are very small, but I do know I’m moving forward.”

Despite what I was going through, I knew deep down I was moving forward. Later on that same evening, I had received an email from the department chair saying that they had petitioned for me to receive an even larger increase in my salary from what we had discussed. I didn’t even have to lift a finger. God intervened on my behalf.

Since then, I have been up and I have been down, but never that far down. Even with setbacks I have constantly moved forward. I was listening to a message yesterday where the young lady said your setbacks have made you stronger. And she was right, each setback did make me stronger. What would’ve taken me out eight years ago seems like child’s play today. God is good!

That’s all for today. I haven’t been drawing like I used to. Feel like I’m running out of flowers to draw. Maybe I need to really focus on drawing one thing and perfecting it. I’ll let you know how that works. Until I draw something new, I will reshare from my Facebook memories. Here’s what I shared last year. Be blessed.♥️ ~ Shaun

Stay focused.
Life

Know Who You Are

Shaun Bradford

Over the years, I have discovered one of the keys to knowing who you are is knowing who you are not.

I know who I am because I finally understand, and have accepted, who I am not.

I hate to admit that my road to self-discovery recently wrapped up–at least I believe it is over–during the last few days of my 40s. Maybe it was because I was so determined not to bring uncertainties and baggage into this half of my life. At the very end, up until a few days in, there were things I had to let go of, things I had held on to much longer than I should have. What I discovered was those things were hindering me from fully knowing and embracing my authentic self. Even though I knew God had made me different from others, I constantly questioned my worth and abilities. I also kept feeling behind or as if I had missed out on valuable opportunities.

I know I have only been on this side of 50 a very short while, but life really does seem different. I finally feel like I am dancing to the beat of my own drums. I no longer feel the anxiety and pressure of not being who or where I imagined I would be at this time in life. I contribute all of this to this year’s/half century’s theme–“Being present while residing in a space of peace.”

Y’all, just thinking… Christy Nockels’ book, The Life You Long For, really did prepare me for this.

Forever grateful for God’s love, mercy and grace. Y’all, He really does love me.

Thanks for reading. Wishing all of you a wonderful day!♥️

Shaun

Life

The Important Things

Shaun Bradford
What is most important to you? For me, it’s my family and healthy relationships.

The last few days, actually months, have been quite challenging. Not sure if this is the most difficult season I have had to endure, but it’s pretty close. Although things have been a little crazy, I personally believe I am handling things well. I know that if any of this would have happened a few years back, I would have had a mental breakdown. Thanking God for growth. Thanking God for the smaller challenges – the ones I did not believe I would make it through – they prepared me for what I am facing today.

I believe I am doing better this time around because I am only focusing on, as well as holding on to, things and relationships that are most important to me. They are keeping me afloat.

I pray you are focused on what’s most important in your life. Love you!♥️

Shaun