Hi, I'm Susie Larson. Thanks for listening to this podcast from Susie Larson Live.

Welcome to Susie Larson Live.

Always honored to get to spend this time with you.

In fact, I look forward to bringing you conversations every single day that hopefully

inspire you in your faith walk, that deepen your understanding of God's word, and that

heightens your awareness of his very real

presence in your life. Well, I wrote a pretty vulnerable post on my personal Facebook page the other

day. I'm actually, and it's one of those times where you feel like, did I get too vulnerable?

Should I move this post? Am I being too hard on myself? Maybe tell me if you think I'm being

too hard of myself or maybe you're like, no, you're absolutely right about this. So this is what I wrote. One thing COVID killed in me was the

selfish side of my introvert tendencies. I am a true blue introvert. I thrive in solitude,

and it's where and how I get filled back up again. And as someone who struggles with a certain

measure of chronic health issues, I do have to be careful with my outputs.

But months of isolation has revealed in me a deep level of self-protection that doesn't belong in me.

They say that healthy and safe community actually strengthens your immunities.

And conversely, isolation weakens your immunities.

I find myself desperately wanting to know more of my neighbors and the folks who attend my church and those who serve in my local community. Big crowds overwhelm me. Odd for a speaker, I know, but the idea of sitting around a bonfire with a few new friends and wrapping them up in a giant hug at the end of the night, well, that sounds like a dream to me. Oh, for the days when COVID is finally behind us. All that to say,

I've got some growing to do. I want to know how to honor the way God has wired me while at the same

time step out in a more proactive way to help, to learn, and to listen to those. I've not yet

had the pleasure to meet. I'm so grateful God is so patient with us, and I'm grateful he is my protection,

and I'm grateful to you. Thank you for your patience with me as I grow into the person

God wants me to be. What do you think? Was that too much? Well, my guest today says being an

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