229. Be Here for It

As Christmas draws near and the pressure of the season reaches full volume, it’s easy to find ourselves rushing past the very moments we long to remember. In this episode of Encouragement for Real Life, Julie continues the A Different Kind of December series with a simple but powerful invitation: be here for it.

Be here for it.

Being “here for it” means choosing presence over pressure—presence with God, with others, and even with ourselves. Julie gently names the all-too-familiar December pattern of hurry, distraction, and mental overload that leaves us exhausted and disconnected, even when we’re physically present. But Scripture reminds us that Jesus didn’t come to give us a rushed life—He came to give us a full one (John 10:10).

Rooted in Hebrews 4:16 and Ephesians 5:15–17, this episode highlights how God meets us in the present moment, offering grace, mercy, and wisdom when we slow down enough to notice Him. Julie shares a tender, real-life story with her grandsons around the nativity scene—a moment that became holy simply because she chose to stay. It’s a beautiful reminder that God is often found in the ordinary, not the hurried.

Julie walks listeners through three kinds of presence to cultivate this season:

Presence with God — inviting Him into your day through simple pauses, Scripture, and awareness.
Presence with others — choosing eye contact, listening, and connection over multitasking and perfection.
Presence with yourself — honoring your emotions, choosing rest, breathing between tasks, and speaking kindly to yourself.

She also introduces a practical tool from her book Right Now Matters: the Four Ps—Pause, Ponder, Pray, Praise—offering an easy way to anchor yourself back into the moment when life feels overwhelming.

As the season pulls you toward distraction, this episode is a gentle reminder that God isn’t waiting for you at the end of your list—He’s right here. And this moment? It matters. Be here for it.

Click on the player above to listen to the full episode.