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Andrea "Drea Kay" Kelley's avatar

I think this year God wants to surprise us and show up in our lives through miracles. Our intellect can only take us so far but when we surrender “the how” and “the why” and “the when” we GIVE HIM permission to do something beyond our own strength. God will give you exactly what you prayed for…..in the timing he wants you to have it. I gave up my plan as soon as I got evicted from my apartment and had to turn in my keys and start from ground zero. Hard? Extremely but did he redirect my path and show me next steps? Yes. Did he let me pout and complain for a while? Yes. But ultimately, surrendering my plan meant giving up full control and that’s something I didn’t KNOW how to do. Maybe that’s the lesson! 🙏🏾 it sounds like surrendering is a prerequisite for God to move on your behalf.

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Isis Bradford's avatar

Wow, thank you for sharing your story and your faith🩵 You’re absolutely right, surrendering can be so hard, but it opens the door for God to work in ways we could never imagine. Your testimony is such a beautiful reminder that His timing and plan are always better than ours, even when the process feels impossible. Here’s to learning how to surrender, one step at a time!

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Natacha Pierre, MD's avatar

Wow!! I felt every word and the raw emotion behind each of them.

This is real. This is life.

I wish I could take away the wretched pain. But I know it is molding you to the diamond that you already are.

I’m just grateful that you shared this with us as we deal with our own “I’m not okays” and allowing us space to also say YES to God everyday.

I’m so proud of you. And God shall grant you the desires of your heart because He came that we may have an abundant life. His timing is what we should trust as we remain faithful.

I mirror you in many ways (over thinker, high achiever, etc) and the beautiful dance between trusting in God’s timing while continuing to remain faithful is phew!! But worth it.

Congrats in advance for what is already yours.

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Isis Bradford's avatar

Thank you so much for this. Your words mean a lot 🥹 and I’m grateful for your encouragement and the space to be honest about the hard moments. It’s comforting to know we’re not alone in navigating this journey of faith, surrender, and trust—it really is a dance, isn’t it? I’m so glad we can walk this out together and keep saying ‘yes’ to God daily. Your support and faith inspire me too. Here’s to trusting His timing and embracing what’s already ours. 💛 we got this!

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Kimberly Dunham's avatar

Ladies, Sisters in Christ. I am amazed, blown away, and in awe of how we have all come here and surrounded our sweet sister Isis with love, prayer, support and wisdom from our shared experiences with God in the midst of saying yes, to surrendering to His will and waiting in the meantime. To see so many reach out to her and share with her in her place of vulnerability and openness. This is rare. This is priceless. This is GOD!!! HE orchestrated this moment. What a blessing and a testimony to unity and community in God. We are never alone. He is always there and so are others if we but share ourselves. Thank you Isis for bringing us together to share in your time of need. Love and blessings to you all. ❤️

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Shaquinta Monique's avatar

Thank you for this. I needed to read this it was the confirmation that I asked God for this morning. 🤍

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Isis Bradford's avatar

I’m so glad this could be confirmation for you. God really does have a way of showing up right when we need Him most. 🤍

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Sabre’ Oreyana's avatar

Thank you for sharing this. I had a moment like this yesterday. I’m in a similar point with some Choices in life and it can feel overwhelming at times. Praying for your peace 🥹

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Isis Bradford's avatar

I was feeling queasy when I pressed post, but I'm so glad I did. To know I'm not the only one feeling extremely overwhelmed by choices helps. I'm learning to surrender every day... trying to balance that "free will" with God's guidance. I pray you have clarity on your decisions soon! Please let me know if there's anything I can do! We're not sure where we'll land yet! But, I'll keep you posted!

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Sabre’ Oreyana's avatar

I get that with the free Will! That’s been a big thing I’ve battled with and not wanting to make the wrong choice! I would love to know more about how you decided what you wanted to go to school for. I have a couple of things I want to go to school for. But the crippling reality is actually putting that degree into use and choosing what to go to school for, means you’re going into that field. Which it’s like duh, but still. It feels daunting.

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Lauriel Pera's avatar

Thank you for your vulnerability sister. I’ll be covering you, your mind,& your womb. I know that the Lord already has it all figured out🙏🏾

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Isis Bradford's avatar

Thank you so much, sister. Your prayers and words mean more than I can say. I’m trusting that God has it all in His hands, just like you said. 🙏🏾 also did you give birth yet?! If so, how are you guys? 🥹🩵

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Robin Ernst, PROSCI®'s avatar

I am so proud of you, lovely girl 💛💛💛💛

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Isis Bradford's avatar

Thanks you my love 🥹 for your words and you resources/DM!

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Stephie Lèa Pierre's avatar

Thank you for your vulnerability 🥹 this was a blessing to read ❤️

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Isis Bradford's avatar

Thank you sweet Stephie! I'm excited to see the other side of this soon, and I'll keep you all posted along the way! Right now, we've rescheduled my surgery for April 11th and already enrolled in Johns Hopkins' insurance, but still, tuition isn't covered! I'll know by Feb 2 if I need to drop my classes or.. what we'll do!

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Stephie Lèa Pierre's avatar

Praying for good news and a peace within your thoughts along the way 🤍 God is good 😊 you got this!!!

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MahoganyLit's avatar

I am truly grateful for your transparency of your walk with God. Thank you for sharing just how God is working in your life. It’s a beautiful example of how when we are accepting, still and truly are vulnerable with God, we can hear him speak to us. Yes, I’m in for accepting and saying, Yes.

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Isis Bradford's avatar

Thank you so much for this. It really means a lot. God truly shows up when we’re still and open with Him. I’m so glad to hear you’re saying 'yes' too—let’s keep leaning in together!

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Dashia's avatar

Thank you for sharing this vulnerable part of your life with us. Although we all may not be experiencing the exact same thing a lot of our decisions do impact the next, and most days I experience that huge invisible wall when I want to work on my business, be a better wife and momma. So your message was really confirming what I’ve been hearing lately to do and trust that God will meet and bless the efforts I put my hand to do. Thank you for saying yes, because it truly helps my life and I’m sure blesses so many others. We never know why we are going through something, but in the bigger picture it’s always for someone else to see God in our lives. Many blessings to you, and can’t wait to hear how God moves mountains for you. 💕🫂

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Isis Bradford's avatar

Thank you so much for your thoughtful message and for sharing your heart. It’s so true—our decisions can feel like dominoes, and that invisible wall can be so discouraging. But I’m so glad this message confirmed what God has been speaking to you. Right now, all we—any of us—can do is trust, and I know He’ll bless the efforts you’re putting your hand to. I’ll be sure to keep you updated as our next steps become clear. Many blessings to you as well, and thank you for your encouragement—it means so much. 🫂*hugging back*

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Sheilla Akwara's avatar

Thank you for sharing your heart and journey. Thank you for being vulnerable and showing the complexities of walking with God, living by faith and managing the mountains that pop up in-front of us. I am so glad that God gave you sound wisdom - to just be.

This is not a shameless plug, but I am going to put this here for your reference should you choose to read it. I wrote a piece about surrender, this came from my own prayer time with the Lord a few weeks ago on starting a family and when things will happen for me. He too told me to surrender. I’ll place the link at the bottom but when you have time, please read about Mary and Martha and the solution Jesus gave Martha to her many worries - which are connected to the instruction God gave you(Luke 10:38-42).

Thank you also for reminding us about the intentional, yes! We try our best, and God will help us with the rest. I learned a lot from this piece.

https://open.substack.com/pub/sheillaakwara/p/when-god-asks-you-to-let-go?r=3ixxpp&utm_medium=ios

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Isis Bradford's avatar

Thank you so much for your thoughtful words and for sharing your journey. I actually read your piece and loved it—it was such a timely and beautiful reflection on surrender. The story of Mary and Martha really spoke to me, and I appreciate you connecting it to what God has been showing me. Thank you for your encouragement and for reminding us all about the power of letting go. 🥹🥹 “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one.” Amen!

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Sheilla Akwara's avatar

💜💜💜

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Christine Daley's avatar

Amen!!!!

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Isis Bradford's avatar

We got this! 🥹🩵

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Dr. Amy Blankenship PhD,MSN,RN's avatar

Beautiful, raw, and transparent. Thank you for sharing ☺️

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Isis Bradford's avatar

My pleasure. After your comment + some others, I can't believe I was ever scared to post this. This is what community is for: to lean on each other!

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Dr. Amy Blankenship PhD,MSN,RN's avatar

Absolutely!

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Kimberly Dunham's avatar

Isis thank you for sharing. Your vulnerability is so heart warming. To trust us like this allows us to come along side you in prayer and support. I am blessed by your faithfulness to seek God so relentlessly and have the conversation so many would shy from. It's empowering to others or at least to me. I'm praying for His will and look forward to walking with you through wherever He takes you on this journey. 🙏 God bless. Sending hugs and love.

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Isis Bradford's avatar

Thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful words. It truly means so much to know I’m surrounded by such prayerful and supportive people. Your encouragement and prayers are such a blessing, and I’m grateful to walk this journey alongside you as we trust in God’s will. Sending love and hugs right back to you! Happy Sunday, sis!

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Nozi's avatar

Thank you for sharing your vulnerability—it truly resonated with me. Today, I had a conversation with God. I asked, “What should I do?” as I was reflecting on how I’m going to make it through the next few months. His response was simple: “Give it to Me. I’ll make it happen.”

Whatever “it” is, I’ve surrendered it to Him because of the season I’ve been navigating for the past few months. Reading about what you’re going through and the season you’re in was such a blessing. It was a beautiful reminder that God is truly with us in every step and every day.

Sometimes, it’s also about our posture. I’ve been learning that God may want to shift our posture—whether it’s how we approach Him, our circumstances, or our faith. That’s been a big lesson for me lately, and it’s humbling to know He’s working in ways we can’t always see. Thank you again for sharing—it reaffirmed what I needed to hear. ❤️

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Isis Bradford's avatar

Amen Nozi 🥹 Thank you so much for sharing this with me. It’s incredible how God meets us right where we are, even in the uncertainty. Your reflection on surrender and posture is such a powerful reminder—I’m learning the same lesson about trusting Him fully, even when I don’t see the full picture. I’ll be sure to keep you updated as our next steps become clear. Thank you for your encouragement and for reminding me that God truly is with us every step of the way!!🩵🫂

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ToniTonez's avatar

Amen!!! I’m so glad you did the hard thing and posted this. I still don’t know what surrender looks like fully, and it’s scary. But I say yes anyway. Thank you for the confirmation 🫶🏽

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Isis Bradford's avatar

Also, here’s a post about surrender that was shared with me!!

https://open.substack.com/pub/sheillaakwara/p/when-god-asks-you-to-let-go?r=3ixxpp&utm_medium=ios

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Isis Bradford's avatar

Thank you so much! Surrender is definitely a scary and ongoing process, but saying 'yes' anyway is such a powerful step. I’m so glad this could be confirmation for you—let’s keep walking this out together. 🫶🏽

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Fejiro Okagbare's avatar

Thank you as always for your honesty, I’ve gone through my melodramatic conversation with God and it sounds very similar to yours haha, all He wants is our Yes

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Isis Bradford's avatar

Thank you for this! Haha, I love that I’m not the only one having those melodramatic conversations with God.

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