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Welcome to the Fierce Calling Podcast, where we explore how God uses our stories—especially our hardest seasons and deepest passions—to call us into His purpose. I’m your host, Doris Swift, and today I’m joined by Julie Lefebure: author, speaker, mentor, and host of the Encouragement for Real Life podcast. Julie Lefebure shares her journey of encouraging women to refuse to settle for less than God’s best, and how her most recent book, Made for More: 365 Devotions for the Woman Who Refuses to Settle, grew out of her desire to help women live abundantly and embrace their unique callings.

We’ll dig into the power of beginnings, the significance of the everyday, and how to discern and step into your calling, even when it feels insignificant or unclear. Julie Lefebure offers encouragement for anyone feeling stuck, questioning their purpose, or believing the lie that they have nothing to offer. Get ready for an uplifting conversation filled with faith, practical encouragement, and a reminder that God truly cares about every detail of your life.

💡 Episode Highlights & Key Takeaways

Julie Lefebure’s Story and Her Fierce Calling

• Journey from secular work to full-time ministry (04:00-05:22)
• Passion for helping and encouraging women
• The calling to help women see they are made for more (05:11)

The Concept of “Refusing to Settle”

• Meaning of refusing to settle and its biblical significance (06:12-08:12)
  • Personal story: questioning if “this is all there is”
  • Reference to John 10:10 and abundant life
  • Distinction between abundance in God vs. material abundance

Structure and Focus of the Devotional Book

• Format of the devotional: short daily readings with scripture and reflection prompts (08:33-09:15)
• Example topic from the book: “Find Beauty in the Beginning”
  • Importance of valuing the process and early steps (09:18-10:26)

The Value of Beginnings and Taking Time with God

• Parallels to scriptural truths about new beginnings (11:10-12:12)
• Benefits of daily rhythms and meditating on the Word

Expansion of Julie Lefebure’s Ministry

• Launch and impact of her podcast (13:01-14:46)
• Development of a mentoring program, “Abundant Life Mentoring”
  • Difference between mentoring and coaching
  • Emphasis on personal connection and discipleship (15:56-16:57)

Encouragement about Stepping Out in Faith

• Stories of how each began podcasting (17:07-18:41)
• Overcoming fear of imperfection and possible failure

The Significance of Mentoring and Discipleship

• Clarification of what mentoring looks like (20:31-21:01)
• Focus on walking alongside women personally
• Comparison with coaching and counseling

The Genesis of the Devotional Book

• Inspiration: summer podcast series “Summer of Abundance” (21:38-23:01)
• Incorporation of podcast material into the book
• Writing process and the importance of serving women’s needs

Importance of Biblical Foundation in Resources for Women

• The necessity of basing books and mentoring on scriptural truth (24:30-25:06)
• Avoiding self-help trends disconnected from the Bible

Recognizing What God Has Already Given Us

• Encouragement to notice gifts, experiences, and opportunities already in hand (25:35-26:10)
• God’s unique plan and personal purpose for each woman

Addressing Feelings of Insignificance and Calling

• Reframing the idea of calling and everyday faithfulness (30:53-32:31)
  • God’s direction in daily life
  • Joy as an indicator of calling and gifting

Embracing Unique Paths and Overcoming Comparison

• Importance of not comparing oneself to others (34:03-36:08)
• Examples of unique contributions in writing and podcasting
• Assurance that God uses everyone’s perspective

Commitment to Biblical Truth and Discernment

• Reiterating the Bible as the ultimate source (37:05-37:54)
• Necessity of testing all teaching and books against scripture

Final Encouragement and Practical Next Steps

• Assurance of God’s care for every detail (37:56-39:21)
• Visualizing “handing over” burdens to God
• Steps to walking in abundant life and trusting God

How to Connect with Julie Lefebure and Access Resources

• Website, social media, and book availability (39:22-39:54)
• Summary of ways to follow and engage

Closing Thoughts from Doris

• Importance of knowing God’s character through scripture (40:25-41:44)
• Encouragement to seek God personally, especially when struggling with past hurt or doubt
• Invitation to future episodes and closing the show

🤝 Connect with Julie!

You can connect with Julie at julielefebure.com

Plus, you’ll find real-life encouragement in a variety of ways on Julie’s website:

• Her weekly podcast, Encouragement for Real Life, that drops new episodes each Tuesday morning.
• blog posts
• speaking 
• free resources

You can also find her on Instagram julielefebure, X @JulieLefebure, Facebook Julie Lefebure, and on Pinterest @julielefebure

Julie is a big fan of sunrises and sunsets, appreciates unrushed mornings, and loves eating outdoors. I love all of that, too! How about you?

She’s wife to Bill, and on any given day you might find them on their tandem bicycle enjoying adventures together. They have a goal to bike in each of the 50 states! They’ve participated in RAGBRAI six times, and they are empty-nesters looking forward to growing old together.

Julie Lefebure is a writer, speaker, and Abundant Life Mentor who encourages women to live with intention and experience the abundant life Jesus promises. She is the author of Made for More, Right Now Matters, and the Right Now Matters Bible Study, and the host of the Encouragement for Real Life Podcast. Through her words and work, Julie helps women slow down, stay present in the moment, and live from truth instead of pressure, comparison, or fear. Find Julie at julielefebure.com.

🙏 Remember, Friend, That Your Story Matters!

As always, remember—your journey, your fierce calling, and your honest story can comfort and encourage others. Where can you share your experiences this week?

Grace and peace,
Doris
Host, Fierce Calling Podcast

What Threatens to Steal Your Joy?

Check out Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You 6-week Bible study rooted in John 15. You can find more info at https://dorisswift.com/book/

Let’s Stay Connected!

Find my free resources including Fear Fighting Bible Verses, Simple Tips for Sharing Your Faith, Surrender the Joy Stealers, Step Out of Your Doubt and Into Your Calling ebook, and more on my dorisswift.com homepage!

Love Fierce Calling?

Did you know that following, rating, and leaving a review over at Podchaser or Apple Podcasts helps others discover the show too? I would so appreciate it, friend!

Need a Speaker for Your Next Women’s Event? Conference, Tea, Christmas Event, Workshops, Retreats? I have a few dates still available in 2026, and booking for 2027 – 2028!

Check out my speaking page, grab my flyer, and let’s talk about me speaking at your next women’s event…

Thanks for Listening!

I hope this episode encouraged, inspired, and challenged you to cultivate community, live and walk in the value, purpose, and worth God gave you, and take action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect.

If you’re looking for a speaker for your next women’s conference, retreat, luncheon, or workshop, reach out and connect with me on my speaker page at https://www.womenspeakers.com/florida/edgewater/speaker/doris-swift

Let’s have a chat about your next event!

Stay tuned for more amazing content and remember to check the show notes for all the links mentioned.

Thank you for being a part of our community. We are grateful for your continued support and encourage you to embrace the unique gifts that make you magnificently you.

I hope you’ll join me next time when I talk with another guest who is taking action where her passion, compassion, and conviction intersect …

Until then friend, have a blessed week, and I’ll talk to you soon.

With love and joy,

Doris

Transcript

Doris Swift [00:00:00 – 00:01:29]

What if your hardest seasons, your deepest passions, and all the things you’ve walked through and are currently walking through were meant to become the very calling God has placed on your life? Welcome to the Fierce Calling Podcast. I’m your host, Dara Swift, and I invite guests who are taking action where their passion, compassion, and conviction intersect and share their stories. Of faith, hard seasons, resilience, and their calling. So together we’ll discover how God uses every part of our stories, and how when we say yes to Him and use our gifts to impact the world, that God can do extraordinary things in the midst of our ordinary days. And sometimes hearing someone else’s yes to God is just what we need To find the courage to say yes to Him too. So my hope is that the stories you hear will encourage, inspire, and challenge you to step out and discover your own fierce calling, because your story may be the very place where God is preparing you to jump into the work He prepared in advance for you to do, and to follow Jesus in deeper and more profound ways. So yes, this is Fierce Calling. And if you’re ready to discover where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect and step out in faith to make a difference, you’re in the right place, friend.

Doris Swift [00:01:29 – 00:02:16]

So listen in while I have a chat with today’s guest who has a message to share with you. What is threatening to steal your joy? What is it that feels so heavy right now that you could barely stand? God has a plan, and His plan is to surrender it. Surrender it to Him. It might be a prodigal. It might be a relationship, a marriage, something with your job. So many things. We have so many amazing blessings, but there are so many things in our life that threaten to steal our joy. I’m Darris Swift, author of the award-winning 6-week Bible study, Surrender the Joy Stealers: Rediscover the Jesus Joy in You.

Doris Swift [00:02:16 – 00:02:57]

And it helps women rediscover the overflowing, ever-present Jesus joy within that fills, empowers, and ripens the fruit that God produces in our lives. Using personal and biblical stories, I share how you can identify your joy stealers, surrender them to God, reawaken the joy within, and share the joy with others. You can do it on your own or with a group. If you’re looking for a Bible study, check it out, friends. Surrender the Joy Stealers. Rediscover the Jesus joy in you. It’s time to take your joy back. Welcome back to the show.

Doris Swift [00:02:57 – 00:03:23]

Today I’m very excited to welcome my friend Julie Lefebure. We have been friends for a long time. She is Amazing. She has these books that have come out, and we’re gonna talk about that. But she’s an author of Right Now Matters, and her new book is Made for More: 365 Devotions for the Woman Who Refuses to Settle. Okay, let’s be that woman. Okay.

Julie Lefebure [00:03:23 – 00:03:24]

Yes, ma’am.

Doris Swift [00:03:24 – 00:03:36]

She is a speaker, a mentor, and she’s host of the Encouragement for Real Life podcast. And we’ll talk a little bit more about that too. And I’m excited to jump into the conversation. Welcome to the show, Julie. It’s great to have you.

Julie Lefebure [00:03:36 – 00:03:39]

Thank you. It is so great to be here. Yeah. Thank you for inviting me.

Doris Swift [00:03:40 – 00:03:57]

Well, I’ve been thinking about you for a long time and I was like, I gotta reach out to Julie and get her on the show. And so I would love if you would share a little bit about your story and how you are taking action where your passion, compassion, and conviction intersect, which is your fierce calling.

Julie Lefebure [00:03:59 – 00:04:34]

Okay. Well, gosh, I am a born and raised in Iowa girl. I have never left the state. I mean, I have for vacation and things like that. But, um, but yeah, we are rooted here in Iowa and, uh, been married to my husband, it’ll be 34 years this year. We have 2 kids, 2 bonus kids, our, our in-laws, which I absolutely, I could consider my own, and 3 wonderful grandchildren. And, uh, I’m in a season now where I have, um, just let go of my part-time job. And so I’m really kind of in ministry.

Julie Lefebure [00:04:35 – 00:05:22]

guess I call it ministry full-time and doing all the things that you had mentioned and, um, taking care of my grandchildren as well. And so that’s been a whole new adventure for us. And, um, my, you know, I just love helping women. I have had this calling on my life, and I didn’t really know it was a calling. You know, that’s kind of a word that we use, but I just had this nudge to just I love helping women, to encourage them, to inspire them, to, to just help them see that they were created more for more than what we are living out in our everyday lives. And so that’s kind of my— that’s who I am. I just— and I love how God continues to put women in front of me who I can help do that. So that’s kind of my fierce calling, I would say.

Julie Lefebure [00:05:22 – 00:05:24]

So yeah, that’s, that’s it.

Doris Swift [00:05:25 – 00:06:00]

Yeah, definitely. And, you know, when I see the things that you post and it just is very authentic. It’s like authentic Julie, you know. Your heart is to encourage women in their walk with Christ and for what their calling is, you know, and encourage them in that. So, and I love the book’s subtitle is 365 Devotions for the Woman Who Refuses to Settle. And I would just— if you could unpack that. I know that’s like a little buzzword, but if you could unpack that a little bit for us.

Julie Lefebure [00:06:00 – 00:06:00]

Yeah.

Doris Swift [00:06:01 – 00:06:11]

Because I love that you are trying to get the attention of women who aren’t wanting to settle for like, this is, this is kind of it, you know? Yeah.

Julie Lefebure [00:06:12 – 00:06:44]

Yeah. And I think we all hit that moment at one point in our lives where we’re thinking, is this all there is? You know, there’s got to be more to life than this. And I remember that day and I write it. I wrote about it in the introduction of the book of— I remember exactly where I was. I was in my 20s and I was going through this on this road. And, and I just thought, there’s got to be more to life than this, that this is— this can’t be it. And, um, God just has taken me on a journey since then. He just kind of woke me up that there is more to life than this.

Julie Lefebure [00:06:45 – 00:06:56]

And I was in a place of settling, and that was a long time ago, you know, in my 20s. And I’m older than that now, but it’s been a journey of just understanding that God created us.

Doris Swift [00:06:56 – 00:06:56]

Mm-hmm.

Julie Lefebure [00:06:57 – 00:08:12]

You know, in John 10:10, Jesus says that He came to give us life and life with abundance, depending on the translation that you read. You know, the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come to give life and life with abundance. And this verse has just kind of become my passion because there are times I don’t live in abundance, and God created us to live this abundant life in Him. And so I became a woman that refused to settle, not for settling— excuse me— for the things of this world, because, you know, we’re always going to be tempted to strive and to get more and, you know, buy more and have the nicer house and whatever. Um, but God wants us to, to live this abundant life in the eternal world, you know, the things that aren’t of this world. And, and I I don’t wanna be the woman that settles for anything less than God’s best. And so that’s the tagline, is that we don’t wanna settle for anything less than God’s best. That has nothing to do with really anything of this world, but it’s all to do with God and partnering with him and what his best is for each of us.

Julie Lefebure [00:08:12 – 00:08:14]

Yeah. So does that, does that, does that help at all?

Doris Swift [00:08:15 – 00:08:33]

Yes, it really does. It does. And I love how you talk about God’s best, and that’s what we wanna, you know, not just settle for less than that. And, um, yeah, yeah. And, in the book is, is beautiful because it is not, um, like cumbersome or overwhelming.

Julie Lefebure [00:08:33 – 00:08:33]

No.

Doris Swift [00:08:33 – 00:08:45]

It’s like each day you read it and then, you know, you have the scripture that goes with it, and then you have the Speak Life, Talk to God, Reflect and Respond, you know, each day.

Julie Lefebure [00:08:45 – 00:08:45]

Yeah.

Doris Swift [00:08:45 – 00:09:15]

And, you know, it’s something that women can just do in the morning or whenever they find it You know, to do, have the time to do that. But like, for example, on day 24, you talk about find beauty in the beginning. And I really love that because sometimes we feel like things are insignificant or that what we’re doing doesn’t matter. So what are some of your thoughts on that?

Julie Lefebure [00:09:18 – 00:10:26]

Well, the, the beauty in the beginning thing, that, that kind of came from that, that piece of, you know, sometimes we do— we don’t appreciate the beginning of something when we just want to get to the end. We want to get to the final piece and achieve the thing or finish the project or whatever it is. But sometimes it’s in the beginning that God really speaks to us, that he directs our, you know, our steps in the beginning. And we may not know how it’s all going to look at the end, but Those beginning steps are sometimes the most important that we should— it helps me to remember to cherish every part of the journey, not just the ending piece. And so that’s, that’s kind of— that was my thought with that one. And each day, you know, each day has a different focus. But that focus was, was really part of my journey of I’m the person that likes to be productive and keeps working towards the thing where sometimes the most important part is just the very beginning when we can trust God and say, okay, I’m yours. Show me the next step, you know, give me the, give me the ideas, the vision, whatever it might be.

Julie Lefebure [00:10:26 – 00:10:33]

And so that’s, that’s one of those that’s just really personal to me. So I’m really glad that you, you brought that one out.

Doris Swift [00:10:33 – 00:11:22]

Yeah, I just, it’s just that one struck me. And of course there’s tons of other ones because it’s 365. Um, but I just, you know, I love that too because, uh, it’s just a reminder. It kind of reminds me where the Bible tells us, you know, I’m doing a new thing, do you not perceive it? And, and then of course there’s nothing new under the sun, but still, you know, Right. there could be something just small that starts. And how the Word tells us that, you know, he who began a good work in you, you know, will be faithful to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. So I think that sometimes we might want to rush the process of what it’s supposed to look like and kind of like, yeah, jump to the end game. So I’m glad that you—

Julie Lefebure [00:11:22 – 00:11:22]

Yeah.

Doris Swift [00:11:23 – 00:11:48]

Brought that out. You know, it’s not about just— and it’s good to have like a daily kind of rhythm, you know, where we spend time with the Lord and we, um, meditate on his word and all of that and just kind of Take it one day at a time because we always wanna know like, well, what’s this gonna come out to be? Or how’s this gonna all play out? And we know better than to like, yeah, second guess God about that.

Julie Lefebure [00:11:49 – 00:12:12]

Yeah. Yeah. And that, that’s great for the mornings too. You know, mm-hmm, that, that, that scripture of Isaiah 43:19, I think is what it is, that says, you know, do you not perceive I’m doing it? I’m doing a new thing. Every morning is a new thing. Yeah. You know, God’s mercies are new every day. And so the beginning of a new day can just be like a whole refreshing Okay, God, what do you and I get to do today? You know, type of thing.

Julie Lefebure [00:12:13 – 00:12:20]

It’s just the beginning part that really I think we miss. And so, yeah, it’s not all about the end. It’s, it’s a beautiful part in the beginning.

Doris Swift [00:12:21 – 00:12:33]

Yeah, definitely. And, and how you, um, kind of bring that out in your devotions that you do, but also how it comes out in your encouragement for real life, right?

Julie Lefebure [00:12:35 – 00:12:36]

Yeah. Yeah, that’s right.

Doris Swift [00:12:36 – 00:13:00]

That’s right. And then, um, just the mentoring that you do, uh, with women and all of that. So if you want to go into a little bit about those different areas of your ministry and kind of share how that all ties in together with your calling, your vision, your, you know, what God has called you to do in the lives of women.

Julie Lefebure [00:13:01 – 00:13:40]

Yeah, you know, I never set out to, quote, have a platform or to be a podcaster or an author. I always had a desire to write a book, but I never, I never knew that I would. And I, it just was one thing at a time. God just took me one thing at a time. I came home from a writing conference in ’21, 2020, summer of 2021. And so that was 5 years ago, and God pressed upon my heart to start a podcast. And so I began this podcast, and it happened. That’s the thing with me and God— when he tells me to do something, I, I want to do it because I want to be obedient.

Julie Lefebure [00:13:40 – 00:13:50]

That’s the, you know, that’s the, the people pleaser in me. I think I want to please God. I want to do, you know, what he wants me to do. The thing is, it just seems to come together very fast.

Doris Swift [00:13:50 – 00:13:51]

Yeah.

Julie Lefebure [00:13:51 – 00:14:50]

And so I put that that podcast together very quickly, all of God’s doing. And we— I launched it in August of ’21, so it’ll be 5 years this, this August. And I just— a number of people before that had come to me, maybe 3, a local person, someone online, and one of my family members said, you know, maybe you should think about doing a podcast, or have you ever thought doing, doing a podcast? And I like, no, but I had the gumption when I came home from that conference. And so I began it and I found that that was another extension of my passion of just helping women, where I can speak life into their, their lives every, you know, every, in every episode. And I can take what God has taught me and share that with them in a way that’s tangible that they can apply to their lives. And, and, um, you know, it’s all biblically based and it’s, um, the podcast is just— I love doing it. I absolutely love it. It’s just part of It just brings me joy.

Julie Lefebure [00:14:50 – 00:15:55]

And so, um, it comes out every Tuesday, and, uh, it’s a weekly episode podcast. So that’s been fun. And there’s new things I think I might try in the fall, that maybe I might do some more live streams. I’ve only done one live stream, but that was fun. And I, I just, I, I just love to see what God’s next step with that is. And, um, I began, uh, of a desire again to help women. And, and a number of women had just reached out and said, you know, can, can I meet with you? Can we meet for lunch? Can— who live local. Some online said, can we— can I just email you some questions? And they were just everyday questions about life and how do we, in their specific circumstances, of how do they just carry on? Or, or maybe had a specific question about, you know, what is your faith life look like in a trying circumstance? Or— and so I had this thought that, you know, I’m just going to start a mentoring program where I can just come alongside of women and be kind of be there.

Julie Lefebure [00:15:56 – 00:16:57]

I’m not a coach because I don’t, I don’t want to be a coach, but I want to— I wanted to have someone to mentor me when I was going through difficult seasons, or when I was questioning my faith, or when I was just stuck in my faith. And I felt like, is God even listening? And so that kind of all just came to be this mentoring. It’s called Abundant Life Mentoring. And actually, I’ve been— I began it last year, and it has been such a gift to be able to come alongside women and just help them find clarity and confidence and courage in their everyday lives. And it’s, it’s just been a very— I want to— what I want to say, encouraging piece, but yet it’s also been, I think, very life-giving for, for both parties, for me and the women I get to work with. And so that’s been, that’s been a joy too. I’m just, whatever God wants me to do, I just want to step and do it. And I don’t do it perfectly, as you know, we, none of us do.

Doris Swift [00:16:57 – 00:16:58]

Right.

Julie Lefebure [00:16:58 – 00:17:07]

But it’s, it’s, it’s a joy to be able just to be in the, in God’s will, whatever that looked like, might look like for each one of us. And that’s where he has me right now.

Doris Swift [00:17:07 – 00:17:34]

Yeah, I love a few things that you said. Well, I love all that you said, but, um, they kind of struck me in the beginning when you, you know, that people were telling you, you know, like, you should start a podcast, you know. And I really feel like I kind of had a similar experience when I started mine. And really, it started years before I started mine, you know, when really a lot of people weren’t like even aware of what podcasts were or whatever.

Julie Lefebure [00:17:34 – 00:17:34]

Yeah.

Doris Swift [00:17:34 – 00:18:09]

So it can start from very early on even, and just like a little flicker of something that’s coming, you know, that God kind of prepares us for and starts equipping us in different ways. But I was kind of like you where when I started mine, uh, I just felt like I was supposed to do it and that it was time. And, um, you know, after even talking to different people that had said you should do a podcast, I’m like, well, what would I do a podcast on, you know? And they were like, well, just read your blog posts. At the time I was a blogger.

Julie Lefebure [00:18:10 – 00:18:10]

Yeah.

Doris Swift [00:18:11 – 00:18:33]

So yeah, so I started it and I really, you know, I was kind of where you were too. Like, I really didn’t know a lot of what I was doing, so I would look up a lot of information. And then right after that is— I kind of shared this story before at different times— that’s when the Spark Media, the Spark Christian Podcast Conference, the inaugural one came out.

Julie Lefebure [00:18:33 – 00:18:34]

Yeah. Uh-huh. Yeah.

Doris Swift [00:18:35 – 00:18:41]

And, and that was in February of, uh, 2020, right before the whole world kind of shut down with the—

Julie Lefebure [00:18:42 – 00:18:43]

That’s right. I remember that.

Doris Swift [00:18:43 – 00:19:12]

That world. But anyway, you know, with the pandemic stuff, but it was perfect timing because you could still reach people all over the world. Even when we maybe couldn’t go places that we were used to going, we could reach a lot more people and you know, with truth and encouragement. And so I think that oftentimes God will have us, as, you know, as we have heard the saying, that he equips the called. So he calls you and then he equips you.

Julie Lefebure [00:19:13 – 00:19:13]

Yeah.

Doris Swift [00:19:13 – 00:19:41]

So I think that was good. I was like, I need to go to that conference ’cause then I’ll learn, you know, more about what I’m doing. But anyway, so we have kind of a similar beginning with that. And I think it’s just when we feel like the Lord is prompting us to do something, You know, even if we don’t do it perfectly, because I mean, nobody does it perfectly. So I love that you talked about that. It’s like, you know, not to be afraid to step out. And if we make mistakes, we learn from those. And nothing’s a failure.

Doris Swift [00:19:42 – 00:19:50]

The only failure— I don’t know, it’s probably a phrase and a quote, and I don’t know who to attribute it to— but the only failure is when you don’t try, or, you know.

Julie Lefebure [00:19:51 – 00:20:06]

Right, right. You don’t try. So, and I, I went in with I went in with the thought that, okay, what’s the worst that can happen? You know, if I do, if it falls flat, what’s— I tried, and then I would know, okay, well, that wasn’t— yeah, maybe I misheard, or maybe, you know, what’s the worst thing that could happen? So—

Doris Swift [00:20:06 – 00:20:31]

Exactly. Yeah, what’s the worst case scenario? Um, but yeah, yeah. So, and then for your mentoring, that is really great too. And I like how you distinguished yourself between like that and a coach because it’s a different process. It’s a different approach. And, um, yeah. And it might be similar to like, like counseling or something, you know, where you’re encouraging, you know, with—

Julie Lefebure [00:20:31 – 00:20:32]

I’m not a licensed counselor.

Doris Swift [00:20:32 – 00:20:33]

Mm-hmm.

Julie Lefebure [00:20:33 – 00:21:01]

It’s more, uh, more personal. I think mentoring is more personal than coaching. Mm-hmm. You know, a coach just, I, I feel like a coach would just, and not all coaches, but right. I, I figure like, think about my basketball coach when I was in high school, you know, stood from the sidelines, cheered me on, blew the whistle at practice and, you know, but I wanna come be the one to come alongside. hook arms with someone and say, I’m going to walk with you through this, you know. Um, it’s a little more personal. Yeah, it’s been very— yeah, it’s been a very good thing.

Doris Swift [00:21:01 – 00:21:22]

Yeah, I love that it’s personal. And because each woman that you mentor is going through something different, or maybe just want some direction of like, you know, I feel like God’s wanting me to start this and I’m not sure where to begin, and just kind of helping come along. It’s really also a form of discipleship. You know, when you do that.

Julie Lefebure [00:21:22 – 00:21:23]

Yeah, right.

Doris Swift [00:21:23 – 00:21:36]

So I love that so much. And so, um, talking more about the book, um, what actually began that? Like, how did you start thinking this should be a devotional?

Julie Lefebure [00:21:38 – 00:21:52]

Okay. Yeah. Uh, this actually began last summer, actually. I, uh, the beginning of June. I love summer. It’s my favorite season. And so last summer I did a series on my podcast called Summer of Abundance.

Doris Swift [00:21:52 – 00:21:53]

Mm-hmm.

Julie Lefebure [00:21:53 – 00:22:31]

And it was a 12-week series. I’d never done that long of a series, but I picked out 12 things in God’s— or areas where I saw in God’s, God’s word that he would love to grow us. Like, um, one is gratitude. One was, um, kind of the, the staying in the moment, being present type of thing. There was 12 of them. And after, after I was kind of starting to wrap that series up at the end of summer, I had an inkling. I thought, I wonder if I could make these series, use these 12 core principles into a book. And I went away.

Julie Lefebure [00:22:31 – 00:23:01]

I’m with— I’m— I have— there’s 5 of us that meet on Monday mornings in a prayer group and online. And we went away all together for the first time. All of us were together except one in St. Louis. And that was in July. And so We had talked about our dreams and goals and things like that. And on the way home from that, because I was— we were driving, and I just really was feeling that this is— this really be a book? Is this my next book? Because I wanted to write a book. I just don’t know what it was going to be.

Julie Lefebure [00:23:01 – 00:23:33]

And I’ve always wanted to write a devotional. And ever since I wrote my, my other books, I thought, well, this, this might be the opportunity to do that. And so I laid it out and prayed about it, and God, uh, helped me to start writing it at the end of last summer. And, um, I just sat down with him and began to write. They’re small devotionals for every day, and that’s how it really came to be. And so I pulled from some of the material from my podcast. Of course, I had to expand on each one, but the groundwork was kind of already laid.

Doris Swift [00:23:33 – 00:23:33]

Yeah.

Julie Lefebure [00:23:33 – 00:23:47]

And I just expanded it more and made it to be more personal and relatable for the reader. So that’s how it came to be, and I didn’t really expect it, but it was really a gift that God had given me through that. Yeah.

Doris Swift [00:23:47 – 00:24:15]

Wow, thank you for sharing that. I think that’s very encouraging because then it kind of helps us to see like what is already in our hands, like what has God already given us. And sometimes we try to overthink things and processes and all of that, and It’s just like kind of the old adage, work smarter, not harder. You know, like, what have you done? Especially too, because you can see what things resonate with women.

Julie Lefebure [00:24:15 – 00:24:15]

Yeah.

Doris Swift [00:24:15 – 00:24:36]

You know, what is it that I guess in the writing world we call it the felt need? You know, what is it that they’re like needing to, to get some help with or encouragement with or, you know, and that kind of thing. And the fact being that all of your direction and encouragement are coming directly from biblical truth.

Julie Lefebure [00:24:37 – 00:24:37]

Yeah.

Doris Swift [00:24:37 – 00:25:06]

Because we see a lot of stuff not coming from biblical truth, and it’s more of a kind of a self-help kind of thing, and, you know, feel-good kind of thing, and like ideas from other people that implement things that may or may not be biblical. So I love that you are very grounded in the word and you want that to come out in how you share with women and where your ultimate authority comes from.

Julie Lefebure [00:25:08 – 00:25:34]

Yeah, yeah. I mean, that’s, that’s me. I, I really have a hard time having a conversation with them, with someone, and not bring God into this conversation because he’s such a part of my life. You know, we talk about the things that are important to us. And so, you know, when I’m in a, in an environment where I really would be appropriate to bring God into the equation, I really start to feel uncomfortable because it’s such— he’s such a part of my life.

Doris Swift [00:25:34 – 00:25:35]

Yeah.

Julie Lefebure [00:25:35 – 00:26:10]

And you know what you were saying about, you know, kind of using the things that we have in our hands? I think many of us women feel like, I don’t have anything to offer. And we do. God’s already given us something. You know, we, we do have those things. We just maybe aren’t seeing it from his perspective yet. And so I, I love how God has a purpose and a plan for each one of us, that he doesn’t create us just to take up space. He creates us to, you know, go out and make a difference in this world and to love him and to serve him and to serve others. And I love how he does that differently through each one of us.

Doris Swift [00:26:11 – 00:26:30]

Yeah, it’s, it’s so personal, like you were saying earlier, you know, it’s very personal and important. And, you know, and I love how you brought out John 10:10 and you know, how that is so true that the enemy, you know, it’s like the thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy.

Julie Lefebure [00:26:30 – 00:26:30]

Yes.

Doris Swift [00:26:30 – 00:27:12]

And it’s like, I sometimes when I speak and I, when I use that, I’ll have the women even circle that word only because that’s the only agenda that he has. But then we can’t forget the rest of the verse that you brought out, you know, that God has come to give us abundant life. And there’s so many that might take that out of context and kind of put it toward, you know, uh, like accumulating treasures on earth. Like, you know, all the things that will, you know, that the moths will eat. So, yeah, people, thieves can steal. So just, um, kind of doing things for eternal purposes is so important.

Julie Lefebure [00:27:12 – 00:27:13]

Exactly.

Doris Swift [00:27:13 – 00:27:24]

And I think that’s kind of how you you come for, you know, with your message and all of that to kind of direct women in that and encourage them with the inter— eternal purpose that they have.

Julie Lefebure [00:27:25 – 00:27:25]

Yeah.

Doris Swift [00:27:25 – 00:27:51]

And it’s just not about like, okay, let’s be sure that Jesus is our Lord and Savior so we can go to heaven. Because like you say, he, he wants us to live an abundant life here. And really, I mean, serving and loving other people and blessing them and encouraging them, that brings abundant joy. And that’s what you had shared, that really gives you joy, right, Julie?

Julie Lefebure [00:27:52 – 00:28:18]

Yeah, yeah, it, it does. That, that’s the thing. And then when, when we give that out to someone, then what happens is then they feel encouraged and kind of built up, and then they’re better able to then give that theirs out to someone else. So it just kind of, kind of just starts to spread, but it can just start with one person. Kind of like one candle, you know, lighting another person’s candle. And it can just become a big light that will shine bright for the Lord. And yeah, I love how he does that.

Doris Swift [00:28:18 – 00:28:33]

I know, it’s so precious and beautiful. And that, when you just said that, it kind of reminds me when you go like maybe the candlelight service on Christmas Eve or something. It’s like, now be sure the person whose candle isn’t lit is the one that needs to tilt theirs. You wind up wax all over.

Julie Lefebure [00:28:33 – 00:28:34]

You need to lean towards it.

Doris Swift [00:28:35 – 00:28:40]

Exactly. So there’s, you know, we got to follow the right way to do things. You can’t tilt the lit candle.

Julie Lefebure [00:28:40 – 00:28:41]

That’s not going to work. Right.

Doris Swift [00:28:41 – 00:29:17]

Um, but yeah, so I— and I think that is just really, really important. And just kind of, um, you know, sharing truth with others and being called to do that is very important. And, and I think too, like we were talking earlier, look and see what is in your hand. It was very good that you brought out the point that some women think that they don’t have anything to offer. And it’s like, well, You know, look back and see what have you done in your life. Like, even secular jobs, you don’t necessarily have to have worked in a church.

Julie Lefebure [00:29:17 – 00:29:17]

Mm-hmm.

Doris Swift [00:29:17 – 00:30:14]

Or, you know, where have you volunteered? Where have you worked? What kind of talents and skills has he given you over the years, over the course of time? What people have he— has he brought into your life, into your path? You know, like these different divine appointments that we might not even recognize or realize. at the time that could maybe come to something later. Because sometimes he gives us people that are just for the— this time, and then some people are in there in your life for a long time. Like, like you’ve been in my life for a long time. We might not necessarily talk all the time, you know, we might not necessarily reach out and, you know, connect all the time, but we just kind of love knowing that we’re sisters in Christ and we can see what God is doing in our lives and, you know, very similar direction in, in the, uh, women’s ministry kind of lane.

Julie Lefebure [00:30:15 – 00:30:22]

Right, right. Yeah. So if, uh, and you know, I— yeah, it’s— yeah, you’re right. You’re spot on. I totally agree.

Doris Swift [00:30:22 – 00:30:52]

Yeah. So what would you say maybe to a woman who’s listening now who feels like maybe what they’re doing is very insignificant. They’re not really sure what their calling is. And of course, we don’t want people to be anxious about that because that wouldn’t be from God, you know. So how would you encourage a woman right now, um, who’s wondering, well, what do I have to offer and how, how can I walk in my calling?

Julie Lefebure [00:30:53 – 00:31:53]

Yeah, you know, and I, I think sometimes we get paralyzed with that word calling, because it’s important and it’s— it makes sense to, to us. But yet it’s also like, gosh, I don’t know what my calling is. I don’t have a calling, or I don’t— you know, what am I supposed to do with my life? You know, maybe I’m already well into my years of my life, and I, I feel like I’m just here taking up space. And again, this is part of that refusing to settle. If we do feel like we’re just taking up space, I think that’s a wake-up call to say, okay, God, what, what do you have for me? It may not be, what do you have for the rest of my life? What do you have for me today? What do I have? What have you given me that I can use for your service? It may not be today. It might be changing diapers today. It might be, you know, wiping up the spills for the 100th time today. It might be caring for— a sick loved one.

Julie Lefebure [00:31:53 – 00:32:31]

Maybe it’s, it’s you got a diagnosis and you just— what you need to do today is just— God’s going to say, just sit with me, abide with me. It may not be this big, huge, grandiose, it’s going to be the rest of your life type of path. It may just be just for today. And so I— that’s, I think, how we need to live our lives. Yes, we— it does. You know, God’s word does say to, you know, plan. But it also says, you know, that— oh goodness, what is it, Proverbs— that says, um, but that people plan their, their paths, but it’s the Lord that directs their steps.

Doris Swift [00:32:31 – 00:32:31]

Yeah.

Julie Lefebure [00:32:31 – 00:33:07]

I mean, when we seek God first, he’s always going to just direct us to where we need to go next. And also to lean into what brings you joy. What do you do that brings you joy? Uh, what is it that just, you know, just makes you feel like you are living your your, your, your passion out. And that’s different for each one of us. So Doris and I, we can’t, we can’t choose that for you. But God has something for you. And that is, that may be totally different than anything you’ve thought about. But all of a sudden, you might be realizing, well, wait a minute, I really enjoy whatever it might be.

Julie Lefebure [00:33:07 – 00:33:43]

You know, I don’t want to give an example. It may be something that you’ve never thought of before. But I Firmly believe that when we start to feel like we’re just taking up space or that we don’t have a calling, that’s an invitation to just go to God and say, what do you have for me? He will show you. He’s not going to ignore you. He’s not going to say, well, you’ve already blown it, you’ve done this, so you can’t— I can’t use you anymore. That’s not God. And he has perfect plans and purposes for each one of us. And I’m going to be praying for Um, woman today because I was there and I get it.

Julie Lefebure [00:33:44 – 00:33:54]

And I think many of us have been there, so you’re not alone. And it’s, it’s just a beautiful time with God that he will lead you in if you just seek him.

Doris Swift [00:33:54 – 00:33:54]

Yeah.

Julie Lefebure [00:33:55 – 00:33:55]

Wow.

Doris Swift [00:33:55 – 00:34:56]

Yes, that was very beautifully said and so encouraging to a woman who’s listening right now who really needed to hear that truth today. And, you know, and to kind of dispel the lies, you know, oftentimes we might even have these things come to mind like Well, she’s already doing that, or she’s doing that better, you know, or, you know, and as far as like in the author lane, well, there’s a book already on that, so why would, why would I need to write a book on it? If that is what you’re supposed to be doing, you know, and God will give it to you, but in, in the way that he’s gifted you and equipped you, and it’s gonna look different. I mean, we all can have even the same spiritual gift, but we use it differently because of the way that he has created us. We’re all created in his image, but we all maybe approach things differently depending on how he’s wired us, you know, how he has, um, yeah, made us. So, and that we were made for more.

Julie Lefebure [00:34:57 – 00:34:59]

So we have to— Yeah, absolutely we were.

Doris Swift [00:34:59 – 00:35:00]

We have to remember that.

Julie Lefebure [00:35:00 – 00:35:04]

And I Yes. And I have 2 examples of that, if I could share real quick.

Doris Swift [00:35:04 – 00:35:05]

Sure.

Julie Lefebure [00:35:05 – 00:35:11]

Bob Goff. Bob Goff. He’s a well, you know, a well-known author. He wrote a book called Undistracted.

Doris Swift [00:35:11 – 00:35:11]

And I—

Julie Lefebure [00:35:12 – 00:35:53]

that was gonna be my book when he wrote. Of course, mine was from a different perspective. So when I wrote my book, I was almost tempted to say, well, there’s already enough books out there like that. But I, you know, of course, mine was from my perspective. And so mine was, mine was called Right Now Matters about living in the moment and undistracted. But so even though Bob Goff wrote this book, I can still write my book. And even if, you know, you had your, your podcast before me, if I would have thought, well, there’s too many podcasts, Doris has a podcast, so that means I probably shouldn’t have a podcast, right? But we come from two— we’re still both biblically based, but we come from two different angles. And it’s— I love how God is just so creative through each one of us.

Julie Lefebure [00:35:53 – 00:35:55]

So I’m really glad you brought that out. That’s so very important.

Doris Swift [00:35:56 – 00:35:56]

Yeah.

Julie Lefebure [00:35:56 – 00:36:04]

That, you know, just because someone else has done it doesn’t mean that you’re going to do it exactly like her. And you shouldn’t do it just like her. He— God has something else for you instead.

Doris Swift [00:36:04 – 00:36:05]

Exactly.

Julie Lefebure [00:36:05 – 00:36:08]

That may be in a similar line, but maybe a different perspective.

Doris Swift [00:36:08 – 00:37:02]

Yeah. And very unique. And even like, yeah, again, from a writing perspective, if you ever do like a book proposal, at the end there’s a place, you know, in the proposal where you’re supposed to list books that are very similar to yours, but then you have to say, but mine is different because— and you can definitely— self-publishing is amazing, and you can do that. If you get traditionally published, publishers are going to ask, like, what is different about your book, you know, kind of thing. And it really makes you think, why is it different? Or maybe helps you find ways that it is more unique, you know, that they’re not going to get this. But it’s okay if women hear the same biblical truth over and over in different books, um, but ultimately the book they really need to just focus and meditate on is the Bible.

Julie Lefebure [00:37:03 – 00:37:05]

Yeah, exactly.

Doris Swift [00:37:05 – 00:37:54]

That’s the main book. And then books that come out of biblical truth really need to be solid in that because there’s a lot of other books that are not. And just to have that discernment and wisdom from God to really, really see, like, test it against the Word, you know, and kind of go back and say, where is this? And it really helps you with Bible study too because it keeps you sharp. And if you know the Word, you’re going to recognize the counterfeit, the enemy’s counterfeit. And so I think that’s important to remember. So thank you so much. And, um, if you would like to share any last thoughts that maybe you felt on your heart that you would want to, that you haven’t gotten a chance to share yet, and then Um, let us know, like, how the listener can connect with you and find your books and all the things that you have available and your resources.

Julie Lefebure [00:37:56 – 00:38:31]

Sure. Yeah, I, um, I, I guess I would just say, just to, to the last little word, that thought that I have is that, you know, God is so— he cares about the details of our lives. He— I, I, I— the longer I live, the, the more I just realize it’s almost— it’s— it just makes me kind of chuckle because things that I get stuck with, things that I struggle with, the things that I— what do I want to say? Just, just you have to battle through some days. I look to God and he always— he’s always there. He cares about what we’re going through.

Doris Swift [00:38:32 – 00:38:32]

Yeah.

Julie Lefebure [00:38:32 – 00:39:21]

Sometimes I think that we think that we have to bear it ourselves when God is just standing by the sidelines saying, here, let me carry this for you. And I love that picture because I have to sometimes physically, well, in my mind, think that, okay, I’m gonna hand my backpack that’s full of rocks and heaviness off to God because he can handle it. I can’t. And I just walk with him in it. He does care about every single detail, whether it’s small, whether it’s big. And so no matter what you may be experiencing today, hand it off to God, walk with him in it, and he will lighten your load and he will help you to be that woman who is living the abundant life for him. And I love, I love him so much to be able to just know that we are fully protected and in his care every single moment of every day.

Doris Swift [00:39:21 – 00:39:22]

Beautiful.

Julie Lefebure [00:39:22 – 00:39:57]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And you, and you can find me at julielefebure.com. I know my name, last name is kind of weird, but I married into that name and I love that name. But it’s L-E-F-E-B-U-R-E. So julielefebure.com, and everything is there. And you can also find my books on Amazon if you’re an Amazon person. And, you know, I— you can follow me on social media, Julie Lefebure, on Facebook and Instagram and all, you know, all the channels. So I would love to be able to connect with you in any of those spaces.

Doris Swift [00:39:58 – 00:41:02]

Great. Well, thank you so much, and I will be sure to put those links and things in the show notes so the listener can find you and reach out. And this has been really an amazing conversation. I love how you brought out things that you’ve struggled with. And I think that’s— I think your most recent podcast episode, you kind of talked about those things, so women can listen to that and see, well, what, what are those things? Um, but, you know, that’s right. But I love that you said that you love God so much, and I think that’s where Really, it comes from like we love God so much that we have a heart to love others like Jesus. And if you don’t know Jesus, if you don’t know the character of God, and maybe you’ve had some hurt and pain in your life, and maybe you know if you’re listening right now and you’ve had some things happen like church hurt or something in your family or brokenness, you know, and maybe. you could possibly have a distorted view of God’s character and who he really is.

Doris Swift [00:41:03 – 00:41:20]

Um, just seek him because he invites us to seek him and we will find him. And so just, you know, pray on that and God is there. Like Julie said, he will answer, answer prayers, and not necessarily in the way we might think, but—

Julie Lefebure [00:41:20 – 00:41:20]

Right.

Doris Swift [00:41:21 – 00:41:44]

You know, but I love how, you know, the word tells us that he will do exceedingly abundantly above what we ask or think. So to keep that encouragement in mind and to just read the Bible, just open it and start reading. And God, you know, reveals Himself through His Word, and that’s how we get to know Him. And so, Julie, I love this so much, and I hope to have you back on sometime.

Julie Lefebure [00:41:44 – 00:41:46]

Yeah, this has been so fun. Thank you for inviting me.

Doris Swift [00:41:46 – 00:42:01]

Yes, it’s been a great pleasure to have you. And friends, I hope you’ll join me next time. When I talk with another guest who’s taking action where their passion, compassion, and conviction intersect. Until then, friends, have a blessed week, and I’ll talk to you soon.