Ruth Chou Simons is not only a phenomenal artist but a gifted linguist, willingly vulnerable which makes her writing relatable and heartfelt. Now and Not Yet address the dichotomy of what to do with yourself in the messy in between of where you are and where you’d rather be. In a society that constantly bombards you with messages of do more, build bigger and constantly be on the go, Now and Not Yet’s message of becoming comfortable with slowing down, the messy middle, and not being okay is very much needed. Each chapter centres around scripture and personal stories, concluding with application questions and a “liturgy for pressing in" which are my favourite component and something I can see Ruth’s company GracedLaced, turning into prints available for sale.

Ruth always writes with such a kindness in her tone. She shares very real thoughts and feelings she experiences and doesn't try to hide behind a facade. She invites readers to be vulnerable and then encourages them in the same ways she has been encouraged. She is always quick to remind the reader that she has been in the same place and understands what they might be struggling with or through.
This book is encouraging no matter what age or stage of life you're in. We all have something we are yearning for, some bigger idea or dream we thought we might be living in at this moment. Whether it's massive, life altering news, or simply the questions of whether what you're doing matters, Ruth points us to the Truth and encourages us to take a new look at the mission field right between our feet at this very moment and to remember that there is a reason for "now" and "not yet".

This is my first book by Ruth Chou Simons and I wasn't disappointed. This insightful book felt like guided reflections to lead me towards convictions rather than a handbook for how life "should" be. The biblical examples were relevant and encouraging.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Ruth Chou Simons’s book “Now and Not Yet” is captivating, vulnerable and inspiring. Her story takes you on a journey of her heart, and her walk with the Lord. We all have a personal journey of “Now and Not Yet,” and we are not alone. As I read Ruth’s book, I laughed, learned many lessons, and journaled. It challenged me to step out of my comfort zone. It was such a beautiful gift I received. This book will draw you closer to Christ to help you live your best life.

This is my first title by Ruth Chou Simons and it won't be my last. The author has such a way with words that the entire book felt like a visual feast, especially paired with her beautiful artwork and poetry. She is an artist, through and through. I love how she is able to write in such an approachable manner while getting at some meaty topics such as waiting on God, having our character refined through difficulties, and surrendering our plans. The questions she offers provide a good balance between reflection and meditation on God's Word, such that we don't allow our thoughts and circumstances to consume us.

My favourite sections are definitely The Theological Framework of the Now and Not Yet and the Scriptures where all of the verses are compiled together. I appreciate how much this book is grounded in the Bible and how it takes the emphasis off our emotions. The author captures the theological tension of the already and not yet and applies it to how we can respond and worship God in the in-between. Infused with encouraging messages of hope and laced with the promises of God, readers will find Now and Not Yet to be a gentle and truthful book that can offer joy in the waiting.

Now and Not Yet, by Ruth Chou Simons, is a beautiful contradiction to the idea of fixing our eyes and hearts on those “better things coming.”

In a world where we’re encouraged to look ahead to those “better things coming,” the message to live here in the messy present tends to be lost in the noise of what we’re hoping for. Simons’ honest thoughts about living in the place where we are now, even when it’s hard, unpleasant, uncomfortable, and discouraging resonated with me.

I loved how Simons talks honestly about how hard our present season may be. But, she didn’t stop there. She shares wise perspectives about how to thrive in our present circumstances, even when we are struggling.

Simons’ quiet wisdom is woven through every page of the book. She offers practical ways to assess where we are now. But she also challenges her readers to ask questions to help them to to the root of the discontent. I found it easy to relate to her own hard-learned lessons in choosing to be okay with where God has us now.

Each chapter contains wise encouragements, Biblical wisdom, thoughtful liturgies, and honest prayers. I’ll be coming back to this book, and especially to certain chapters, because the timeless wisdom and perspective transcends my present “now” and will help with future circumstances.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who’s struggling with discontent with present circumstances and wants a Biblically-based, intentional way to work through them.

***I’d like to thank Nelson and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.***

Ruth's honesty about the challenges and realness of life are very welcome and her forwarding looking to the future is encouraging. This is a posture of thinking we need to be in daily! If you need a reminder that the future is coming and is wonderful- read this book.

This book is very encouraging and speaks to me in my current waiting season. Life has taken me through many times when I wanted to be living ahead of myself, often to just escape the trauma or pain of the moment. Ruth Chou Simons graciously writes about the periods of waiting that occur in our lives and the spiritual impact our responses can have on each one of us, as well as those around us . Her understanding and bold use of Scripture bring the reader back to the author of all seasons- our Savior, Jesus Christ. If you are in a place of wanting what you hope for but haven't yet received or become, I recommend this book. Even if we never get to the not yet, the liturgies in this book provide reminders of God's sovereignty over all times and seasons.

This book is perfect for those who really want to skip past this hard time in their lives to get to better times and see what exactly the Lord is doing. Who wouldn't want to do that, right?

I've purchased multiple copies of Gracelaced, Ruth Chou Simon's earlier book, and gifted them to friends. I can't seem to keep a copy in my hands before I pass it on, it's so good!

This book, Now & Not Yet, is likely going to be another that I will recommend to others. Ruth has such a personable way of presenting Scriptural truths that reach into my heart and mind and make me think about it way past reading.

Give this book a read, and find encouragement and direction in your own Christian walk.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

I picked this book up with uncertainty. This book 'now and not yet' is the first book I have read by Ruth Chou Simons and what a surprise. Almost every page had something relevant to say about past, present and future situations. Thought-provoking and motivational are two descriptions I can think of immediately.
I would like to quote two passages from the book;
The first quote is part of a prayer in the book that has stayed with me and found a place in my thought processes:
'Forgive me, O Lord, when I mistake the plow in my hand
for a scepter that belongs to you.'
The second quote is the title of Chapter 5 which particularly resonated with me:
'Someday is made up of thousands of right nows.'
Congratulations on a well-written, articulate, and thoroughly enjoyable book.
My thanks to Nelson Books and Net Galley for the ARC.

Wow! This book came just at the right time. I wasn’t sure that a book about a “not yet season” would have much to offer that differed from other books I have read on the same topic.

This is so good. Rooted in the truth of the Word, Ruth brings her own experience and perspective in a beautiful and raw way that is so relatable. Free of judgement and condemnation, she reminds us all that where we find ourselves is the perfect place to start to press in to all that God has for us.

So much truth can be found in these pages. This was the encouragement I needed in the season I now find myself.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital copy in exchange for my review*

This is not the book I thought I was getting from the synopsis however it was still a good message. I think it could have been shortened to provide a bigger impact but the message is still there. Being content in the current time and the journey is just as important as the destination.

Really this whole book could be summed up as the journey to contentedness.

As always Ruth Chou Simons has written a lovely, and beautiful book that I will be recommending to many of my friends.

Booksellers, this is a great Mothers Day gift and should be featured on your mothers day tables.

This digital review copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. Huge thanks to Netgalley and Nelson books for my review copy!

“The right-now life you and I are given isn’t something just to bide our time and survive; God has designed our current circumstances for our growth.”

Y’all—this book was full of wisdom for the weary! 😮‍💨 As someone who has felt restless in the midst of my “now” more times than I can count over the course of my lifetime, Ruth’s words were so life-giving and comforting.

In Now and Not Yet, Ruth invites readers to embrace the beauty of living in the tension of the “now” while eagerly anticipating the “not yet” of God's promises. Like a true wordsmith, she weaves together personal anecdotes, biblical reflections, and practical wisdom, encouraging readers to find hope and purpose in the midst of their “now.”

My absolute favorite inclusion in this book were the liturgies that closed out every chapter! Man, I honestly want those in a separate print bound resource—I can see myself praying them over and over and over. They were so beautiful and relatable!

This was a solid 4.5 star read for me! Ruth is definitely an auto-buy nonfiction author for me. She’s always serving up the truth of the gospel beautifully! Highly recommend!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

*thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for a copy of this eARC in exchange for my review*

A really transparent and encouraging look at how to live life and find purpose in the in between. Ruth Chou Simons shares her heart about the reality of the messy middle in a welcoming way that feels like she’s opening the doors to her home.

When so much of life feels like waiting, it’s easy to feel like time is wasted because it seems like nothing is happening. But as one of my good friends always reminds me, nothing is wasted. God is always at work, and the messy middle is a unique opportunity to dig in and be the hands and feet of Jesus wherever we may find ourselves.

The book was straightforward in a tough love kind of way, and I found myself challenged to consider my perspective on seasons of waiting. While not every part of the book felt relatable, I appreciated Simons’ vulnerability and willingness to communicate about the messy parts of life.

There is a glorious dwelling place provided by Jesus Christ for all His believing people. The world that now is, is not their rest: they are pilgrims and strangers in it. Heaven is their home. ~ J.C. Ryle (Heaven)

Believers live in the "Now and Not Yet." It is a tension that can lead to restlessness and discouragement. This new devotional by Ruth Chou Simons speaks into that place with experience and assurance giving encouragement and a path forward. Perfect for use as a private devotional or in a small-group Bible study.

The Ten Chapters:
1. When Right Now Isn't What You Want
2. Restlessness As An Invitation
3. Hidden Doesn't Mean Forgotten
4. You Don't Have To Be Blooming To Be Growing
5. Someday Is Made Up Of Thousands Of Right Nows
6. Chaos Produces Character
7. God's Callings Are His Enablings
8. When It's Not Just A Season
9. The Stories We Tell Ourselves
10. Start Where You Are

Each chapter includes a meditation and relevant Scripture with a Thought To Press Into and A Liturgy For Pressing In at the end. In addition to the poetic liturgy, Ruth Chou Simons includes her artistry along the way highlighting memorable bits of wisdom. Essentially this book is also a self-help workbook with additional chapters including "Five Steps To Help You Flip Your Script,"a "Start Where You Are Self-Assessment," "The Theological Framework Of The Now and Not Yet," and all the Scripture references listed by chapter.

While I have been using this as a daily devotional, my Tabletalk magazine from Ligonier Ministries has also provided articles on "Waiting On the Lord." Looks like this was God's timing for me to be putting some thought into how I am pressing in for this season in my life.

If this title is speaking into your current situation, I encourage you to seek out a copy and find some folks to share it with. The publication date is coming up soon: April 9, 2024. Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

A last word from Ruth Chou Simons:
So this is me, leaning in to tell you:
You're not alone. You will make it.
This moment matters, and our God won't waste a thing.
Therefore, stay awake, stay present, and press in!
Run to Jesus, not the other way.
Get going and make the most of every opportunity.
Don't sit this season out.

I deeply appreciate Ruth's writing and this book did not disappoint. She has a gift for putting meaningful concepts into simple language. I really appreciate her vulnerability in this book as she openly shares real life experiences that God has used to shape and mold her. The main premise of the book is one I have wrestled with recently and it was a sweet gift to feel like I could "unpack" it alongside someone else.

"We know how it feels to want something other than what we have right in front of us.... How can you be happy in your right now when your not yet feels so far away?"

"Perhaps, like me, you tend to look for a way out rather than a way through."

"I truly believe that how we embrace our right now is a perennial and continual realigning of the heart. (Spoiler alert: realigning is to return to our God-intended perspective)"

"You don't have to be blooming to be growing... God is still at work in us, even in the seasons when we don't see the blooms we long for."

Ruth Chou Simons is gracious yet doesn't mince words. This book is full of powerful reminders that life won't always look the way we think it will yet God is using it all.

Now and Not Yet is an honest and beautiful book. So many times in our life we are living in the between and we tend to feel stuck, uncompleted, frustrated and disappointed forgetting that we need to enjoy every season in out life. We forget that God is preparing the way and walking along with us. Ruth reminded and encouraged me to trust God in the process, to see His grace in my between seasons. I was reminded that God is more interested in the way and the work He is doing in me and through me in every season in my life than in the goal. I love the art of Ruth in each of her books. Totally recommend it.

Ruth Chou Simons isn't afraid to dig deep and reach to the heart of matters. She sees the importance of having those hard conversations with ourselves in order to grow closer to Jesus and to be more like Him - which allows us to live a vibrant, peaceful and joyful life. And she doesn't shy away from sharing her own experiences (good or bad) to help others know they are not alone in any struggle.

But most importantly, she always points readers and listeners back to God and His Word, using and citing verses that always point us back to the truth of God, who He is, and His love for us. She does not invite us to take her at her own word, but to look at the Bible for confirmation and truth.

I highly recommend Now and Not Yet, as well as her other books and beautiful artwork - ALL will point you toward Jesus!

#nowandnotyet #netgalley #goodreads

Such a beautifully written book by Ruth Chou Simons, I highly recommend Now and Not Yet to every christian who has found themselves struggling with where they are in life and restless for more. Often we feel like we are not where we should, we haven't reached our potential, or just want more. But as we trust in our Sovereign Lord who knows exactly what is best for us, we are encouraged to press in and joyfully embrace what God has for us right where He has us.
Each of us has struggled through a season in life we wished we didn't have to go through, whether it be heartache, loss, a difficult relationship, or an unfulfilling job. But when we take our eyes off Christ and focus on our circumstances it only breeds discontentment and we lose our joy. When we aren't content we are really not trusting God. Now and Not Yet invites you to press in and focus on where God has you while trusting that He works all things for your good and His glory, I will definitely be adding this book to my bookshelf and recommending it to my friends.
Thank you NetGalley and Nelson Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.