Today my friend Julie Lefebure is here to share about her new book, Right Now Matters: Empowering Right Now Women in a Culture of Distraction.

Julie and I have known each other for years, crossing paths at Five Minute Friday, on social media, and all the places. She is a gifted writer who is sharing a part of her story below.

The moment changed my life. It woke me up to the reality of how right now matters.

Sitting in the stands in my orange and black school colors, I was excited to watch my son play soccer, his favorite high school sport. I’ve always enjoyed supporting my kids. I’m the mom who shows up for everything they are involved in, even now as adults. It was a beautiful spring day, and I was excited to cheer on my son in his number eleven jersey. He was my focus on the field that day until he wasn’t.

The First Clue I Was Living Distracted

My mind began pinballing from one thing to another as I contemplated what we’d be doing later that evening, what was next on my to-do list, and the events of the day. The noise of the crowd jolted me back to the game as fans around me cheered and clapped. Oh yay, we must have scored a goal! Before I knew it, the others around me shot approving glances toward me and my husband. Then I realized what I missed. I missed my son’s amazing play. He was the one to score that goal!

My heart sank. I couldn’t believe it. How could I have missed it? I was right here, facing the field, yet my thoughts took me away for just a moment. I missed it all! And I desperately wanted to turn back time and redo the moment. The moment I will never get back. All because of my distracting thoughts—thoughts that weren’t nearly as important as watching my son. 

Right now matters.

The Moment I Realized I Had a Problem

It was at that moment I realized I had a problem. I was living distracted. I was tired of missing priceless moments like these. Oh, this wasn’t the first one, but it was the one that devastated me enough to say never again. It was time to make a change.

When I began my quest to live an undistracted life, I almost felt like I was crazy and alone because no one was talking about this. No one was addressing this issue of distractions consuming our lives. I couldn’t find any help or resources as I began my search. I thought maybe I was the only one, and quite possibly it was just my issue.

But I soon learned that wasn’t the case. I hear the stories of other women and how they’ve missed priceless moments because of distractions. I see their winced faces and feel the heaviness of their heartaches when they shyly talk about their experiences. They know what it’s like to miss what’s important in life. Maybe you do, too.

Yet some aren’t aware at all. Some are just walking through life—almost sleepwalking through it—not paying attention to what’s pulling them away from the moments God has blessed them with. It’s those I’m concerned about the most because they are miserable and stressed, and they don’t realize they are.

Distractions are Everywhere But God’s Plans are Better

Distractions are everywhere, aren’t they? In fact, we live in a culture of distraction. From our devices and phones to the news headlines to our own thoughts, distractions are consuming our attention spans and our lives. I’m not sure there’s ever been a time of increased distraction than in this age. But just because we live in a culture of distraction, it doesn’t mean we need to keep embracing its ways. It’s time to pause, hit the brakes, and choose a new, more peaceful way to live—one that’s undistracted.

This reminds me of what Romans 12:2 NLT says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Right now matters.

Still Learning But Better Than I Used to Be

It’s taken me some time, but I’m learning how to live an undistracted life. Oh, I still don’t do it perfectly—and maybe I never will—but I’m much better than I used to be. I share the tips and tricks and lots of truth I’ve learned along the way in my book Right Now Matters: Empowering Right-Now Women in a Culture of Distraction.

If you’re tired of missing out on the priceless moments of your life, too, it’s not too late. Change can take place today. Right Now Matters, More Than We May Realize @JulieLefebure Click To Tweet

God has good plans for your life and mine, and blessings that we don’t want to miss. Let’s embrace a life free from distraction and immerse ourselves in God’s gift of the present moment. Right now matters. It’s too important to live it distracted. 

Thank you Julie for sharing a piece of your story so openly with the readers here. Take a minute and give Julie a follow on Facebook and Instagram, or head to her website. We pray that your book is a blessing to the women who find themselves living a distracted life.

Knowing firsthand what it’s like to live distracted, Julie Lefebure, speaker, writer, and host of the Encouragement for Real Life Podcast, desires for women to live abundant and joy-filled lives by embracing a “right now” mentality and presence in their everyday lives. Born, raised, and still living in rural Iowa, she is fond of sunrises and sunsets, time spent with family, and tandem bicycling with her husband. Find Julie at julielefebure.com

Order your copy of Right Now Matters: Empowering Right Now Women in a Culture of Distraction today. Click HERE.

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