This book is for Every Woman!
"Now and Not Yet" has been so refreshed to my heart & mind. - I've learned through Ruth's writing that the weary, mundane, chaos in life is what produces character. Nothing is wasted; the desert places we walk through, our weaknesses, our talents imperfectly executed... it all when we surrender into the Hands of Jesus our Savior - He uses our lives (flaws & all) for His Glory! Each chapter my eyes filled with tears of understanding & ended with a declaration Liturgy of Hope & Promise.

Now and Not Yet was a light read about a general restlessness women sometimes have with how life is going. Specifically, the waiting to get into the next season, for answers, for the pain to stop, for tomorrow, or something similar. It could be any number of things that cause one to not be content with today and look to tomorrow, and in the end, ultimately feeling stuck and in limbo, unable to escape. The author shares in many words that it is okay to not like wher yo uare now, and that you don't have to like it to learn to enjoy it - essentially. We shouldn't be waiting for someday to live for today, and in fact, and see today's difficult or unwanted circumstances as a gift which matters. A lot of the book was repetitive in the flowery wordy language, where I felt that the book content itself could be cut into half. I have heard of the author and know of her beautiful artwork and past books, which I have a read a few, and all are more read as light devotionals rather than meaty biblical gospel content to base your life upon. Yes, you can grow right where you are - don't put it off until tomorrow when you have difference or preferable circumstances, because there will always be something else to envy and look to, ultimately distracting you from the gospel (my additional thought). The artwork is gorgeous. The message is very simple, but her illustrations were personal and also personable as a mom and creative. It is not something I would read again or recommend to a friend -the authors' content is "all about me" whereas truly, it should be all about the gospel and Jesus. Unfortonately, that is the case for a lot of the nonfiction books published by the top 5 Christian publishing houses - not entirely gospel focused. The flowery language and friendly, conversation let's-chat-and-have-a-cup-of-coffee a type of writing is one that I have seen in so many women's interests books in the Christian market, and many devotionals in the same category. It's simply not my cup of tea. If you are going through incredibly painful, traumatic things and need Truth to hold onto, this may not be it, it's just not that deep. This has all been said a thousand times before in many other books. But I know it can serve others well and be a good reminder or boost back into remembering WHO all of this is about.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book to review.

This book was fantastic. Easy language, lots of scriptural references. Approachable & applicable to all!

this was such a good book! it’s like things you know but don’t know you know, so seeing it written out is so encouraging and helpful. my key takeaway was understanding that each moment is necessary, even if it doesn’t feel like it.
while the author does seem to write for an older audience, i found it relatable either way, and the journaling prompts were really good!

This book is both beautiful in presentation and beautifully written. It warrants a second reading. Perhaps a third. I read the paperback and I am thankful to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson, Nelson Books for providing an e-book copy which is perfect for rereading it in exchange for my honest review.

If you stop and slowly reread this book's title and subtitle you will see that this topic is possibly something we all might have to deal with at some point. I know I have! That is why I have been eager to read and absorb this wisdom this book offers. It spoke to me, reminding me of many things in its insights. First of all, restlessness can be God urging us to look to Him for our answers. We are reminded of David, before he became king, who had to wait to reach his full potential. What if we could welcome hiddenness as much as visibility? What if something doesn't come naturally? Can it not come through grace? We often stress out because we are depending on our feelings. That is not the same as listening to the truth. We can think of Christ to remember that "this light momentary affliction is preparing us for eternal glory"! We are like a garden, planted by God. So be encouraged and strongly consider that wherever we find ourselves a month/year/decade "from now starts with the choices" made today!
I appreciate reading this book, compliments of the publisher. The thoughts expressed are my own.

Ruth Chou Simons once again touches my heart with her writing. This was such a great uplifting book and it was a such great reminder that our right now may not be Gods timeline and plan. I will purchasing this book because it was one that I will re-read many times!

Now and not yet was such a sweet and encouraging book. Ruth Chou Simon’s shares a great love for her readers in this book and deeply encourages one who might be struggling during a season of hardship or waiting. She reminds us and gives advice in how to remain steadfast and positive during this season and also motivates her readers to continue in pursuit of the paths that drive us. God gives us those gifts or passions for a reason, and through every trial, we are blessed for persevering.

I didn’t know how much I needed this book in my life right now, let alone the first time I read it during it's launch. I love how much this book can apply to anyone’s life right now. I don’t know a single person who won’t get their cup filled by this book and walk away with applicable knowledge and skills to use right away. Highly recommend!

Now and Not Yet is a beautiful book by Ruth Chou Simons, giving hope to those of us who are living the not-there-yet days. She reflects on God and what God does through different seasons in our lives, and how hoping to be somewhere else just is not the best for us. There is compassion on the pages of this book, and yet it is full of encouragement for this season.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I thought Ruth did a great job explaining how to live in the tension of now and not yet. I appreciated her transparency and vulnerability.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
Now and Not Yet by Ruth Chou Simons ⁣
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A Beautiful, Hopeful Reminder to Lean Into the Present.⁣
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💛 I highlighted so much of Now and Not Yet on my Kindle that I lost count. Ruth Chou Simons has a way of speaking directly to the heart, reminding us that even in seasons of waiting, uncertainty, or hardship, God is fully present and at work.⁣
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Having just walked through my fifth cancer diagnosis and all the side effects that come with it, this book met me right where I am. It reminded me to focus on right now—not just what’s ahead—and to trust that God is in complete control. It also brought me so much understanding about the waiting in both my business and personal life. Being off work from my full-time job has been incredibly challenging, but Now and Not Yet helped me see this season with fresh perspective and renewed faith.⁣
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This book is inspiring, practical, and full of biblical truth. I can’t wait to purchase a physical copy when it’s published on April 9th. If you’re feeling restless in your current season, Now and Not Yet will help you see that God isn’t wasting a single moment. Highly recommend!⁣
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#read

Unfortunately I was unable to finish this book. It felt like a lot of saying nothing. Many words, not saying anything at all. All the chapters I did read felt the same. Me me me, I want I want I want, and then some Scripture thrown in there for good measure. I need to be seen, I need to be known, I’m so restless, diapers! But God! Now maybe the thoughts are less scrambled as you continue on but I just couldn’t do it. It wasn’t for me.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.

This was such a captivating read. I really enjoyed reading something that wasn't fiction and helped uplift my thoughts!

I’ve yet to read a Ruth Chou Simons book that didn’t meet me exactly where I needed to be met! From unmet expectations and dreams to longings for “someday,” Ruth encourages us to press deeper into Jesus and reframe our thoughts on how God wants us to use and thrive in the less than ideal & often lonely waiting seasons we find ourselves in. A truly powerful and thought-provoking read!



*Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

I had not read Ruth Simons and was presently surprised to read such a beautiful and powerful message. Being in the moment sometimes is hard to understand but if look at our situations with God at the helm of our moments we can get through anything. I have found a new author to read.

Great reminder of what to do when in a season of uncertainty and discomfort! A lot of the themes Ruth went over are ones my husband and I have been talking about recently as we think about our future aspirations. I liked her inclusion of life stories and Bible stories to make it more applicable. Also the cover is stunning!

Great short book about waiting and God's perspective on it. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! It is so hard to be patient but this book sheds light on the beauty in waiting on God

This book was such a comforting read, full of encouragement and reminders of the gospel for those who are dealing with disappointments in life. I was recently hospitalized for major health complications and grappling with a painful recovery has been more trying than I expected. This book came to me at the exactly right time. I definitely recommend it

I loved this writing style, but the content wasn’t it for me. Felt very surface level and not as in depth as if like.