Hi friend! I’m glad you’re here! Is your week flying by too?! I can’t believe it’s already the last past of the week and it seems like we just came off the weekend!!  Anyway, I’m excited you're here and before we jump into today's episode I wanted to share a review this week's PODCAST REVIEW is from Mama Z & E and it reads “SHE IS …a straight shooter, giving it to ya straight. SHE IS not going to spoon-feed you but guide you, to enable you to do the big things God’s laid on your heart!

Thank you for sharing that Mama Z & E!. I love how you worked SHE IS into your review!  I know some of you listening might not know or might not have really thought about why I chose the name SHE IS for the name of a podcast. I had already had my website susanbeth.com for years where I shared blogs and other content before I decided to start a podcast about 5 maybe 6 years ago. I didn’t want to just use my name. I had done a teaching one week at our church and it was all around who God created women to be. And the version of Proverbs 31 I used started several verses and statements with those 2 words  SHE IS.  These 2 short little words became my battle cry as I wanted to proclaim and teach that the boxes that society, as well as the church, has built to contain the ideas of what it means to be a woman are not always accurate and in line with what the word of God says about women.  

If you are a listener I want to let you know I appreciate you. I appreciate you listening and sharing episodes with your friends. It’s one of the main ways people find out about the podcast. Your feedback is always insightful and encouraging to me and I’m grateful for each of you that takes the time to rate and review the podcast. If you haven’t taken the time to do that yet, you can hit pause and go do it now just make sure you come back and finish the episode, haha Ratings and reviews are other things that help your podcast be found so I super appreciate you helping make that process easier for people!

Speaking of feedback… I have loved hearing how much you enjoyed the conversation I had with my daughters, Erica and Alexis in the last episode. I’m excited about doing more with them in the future!

I had mentioned in last week's episode that I wanted to sit down with them and share the conversation with others because of the different seasons we are in. 

I can remember what it felt like to be in the season my daughters are in. The seeingly long days that seemed like an endless loop of feeding tiny humans, cleaning up kitchens, and baby bottoms…

Days and weeks can become a blur as you dream of an easier day ahead when those humans can get themselves dressed and feed themselves.

Even though there is such love and goodness all around you it’s easy to miss

It makes me think of a particular morning I had a few days ago…

You know I’ve got a thing for sunrises and sunsets so I decided to drive about 10/15 minutes to the closest beach access and walk and watch the sunrise there.

I actually arrived at the beach about 20/25 minutes before the weather app said the sun would actually be rising but as I pulled into the parking area I thought it looked different and noticed some work trucks and some men walking around. I rolled down my window as one started walking my way to let me know it was closed due to some work being done.

I wasn’t really concerned about driving down to some other beach access points since I had plenty of time…

That concern changed as I found myself behind a very slow-moving vehicle that seemed to be on a leisurely morning drive. After 5/10 minutes I could feel myself getting tense with frustration as I could see a glimpse of light in between the houses when I would glance in the direction of the ocean. I was thinking why am I seeing so much light peeking through?! I’m going to be so aggravated if after all this I miss seeing the sunrise!!  

Then I started feeling frustrated at myself for feeling frustrated haha

Talking myself down haha and reminding myself the whole reason I’m up and being intentional about this time is to be still and recognize the handiwork and magnificent creation of God.

So getting all frustrated and worked up is not going to work haha

As I tried to relax and enjoy the leisurely drive I began to notice the beauty I was driving through (because you can take in a lot when you are going at a very slow speed ;)

The area I was driving through is home to several prestigious Inns and Beach clubs. And along the main road are perfectly groomed and lined gorgeous rows of spectacular palm trees. I seriously had to stop myself from pulling over on this 2 laned road to take a pic. 

As the sky was becoming a little lighter and brighter with each passing minute and I was convinced I was missing the beautiful sunrise I chose to not focus on where I was wanting to be at the moment but choose to enjoy and see the moment that I was actually in.

It reminds me of a statement I said at the close of the conversation last week… that I wish sometimes I could go back to those early years of marriage and raising kids and have the perspective that I do now. But that isn’t the way life works and I acknowledged the fact that the perspective I have now came from walking through those years.

So I guess what I want to remind you today is “don’t miss your moment”

The one that is right there in front of you.

The job you aren’t excited to be at, the relationship that seems a little cold, the child that is challenging every ounce of sanity within you, the home that isn’t where you want to be, the dream and destination that seems so far away…

That reminds me…

About that sunrise…

I got there in time 

And it was beautiful 

And perfect

And everything I wanted it to be

AND along the way, I was able to witness and see some beautiful things that I hadn’t planned for…

Don't miss the moments of your life friend. 

They might not have been planned by you 

But they’re part of the plan.

Love you guys! Talk soon!