Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC and Thank you to Ruth and her team for very generously giving me an opportunity to be one of her "book midwives"! Such a beautiful, heartwarming book full of truth and breathed from scripture. Ruth always gives us a compassionate voice when talking about waiting and pressing in. This book really encouraged me to not just endure and survive in the present but to find joy and make the most out of it, because the right-nows also do matter in the light of eternity.

The liturgies are absolutely beautiful and they spoke right to my heart - I am not timid to say I would shed tears as I read them slowly, meditating on every word. Ruth is an excellent storyteller and I love how vulnerable and authentic she is in her writing.

I am so excited for my physical copy to arrive! This is a book I'll be gifting, re-reading and thinking about in the future.

All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

This book will be very helpful for those living in an in between season of life. The author comes alongside the reader by sharing life experience in a relatable way. It’s biblically sound and encouraging.

This book will leave you feeling that life is okay where you are. Often times we spend so much time searching for everything to be perfect and life does not have to be that way. Enjoy every small or big moment in your life and quit worrying about keeping up with others. Be your real self

Thank you to NetGalley and Nelson Books for an advanced read copy of this book!

Ruth Chou Simon’s beautifully written book weaves together words of encouragement and truths anchored in Scripture. It’s a great read and one to reread during seasons of waiting.

I found encouragement throughout this book as it helped me to cling to scriptures and trust in the Lord’s hand and sovereignty amidst seasons where my limited understanding can’t see what God is doing. I loved the liturgy prayers at the end of each section too.

Once again, Ruth Chou Simons delivers a beautiful, insightful book. This reads like a devotional with brief anecdotes, relevant scripture, and a liturgy at the end of each chapter for reflection. The book is for everyone, especially those who are overwhelmed or discouraged by their current season of life. I will certainly hold onto several statements, such as those pertaining to God’s sovereignty and presence and how our faithful work in the wilderness matters.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Ruth Chou Simons is such a peaceful presence. I first saw her on if gathering when she was painting - in this book she talked about how that was such a stressful presentation, yet she was so peaceful.

This book was more of the same. A big reminder that when we’re in an in between time, that God still has things for us to do, things that will bless others and will set us up for the next season of life.

#Netgalley #NowAndNotYet

the back of the book is what interested me. it sounded like something perfect for what i've been going thru right now and it did not disappoint. so many times we get caught up in daydreaming for the future and wanting the hard that we are going thru to be over. ruth does a great job in encouraging to live in the now. by taking on the NOW we will appreciate even more the not yets.

Now and Not Yet
Pressing in When You’re Waiting, Wanting, and Restless for More
by Ruth Chou Simons
Pub DateApr 09 2024
Nelson Books |Thomas Nelson
Christian| Nonfiction \(Adult\)| Self-Help



Nelson Books and Netgalley have provided me with a copy of Now and Not Yet for review:



The "right now"--our life circumstances, our relationships, our progress, our daily grind--often leaves us feeling disappointed. There are so many things we want to do--good, godly things--but our circumstances prevent us from doing them. Are we missing out on our own lives? Right now, why does it seem so far from where we really want to be?



Ruth Chou Simons reminds us that it's okay not to like the right now we've been given, but leaning in doesn't require liking it. In *Now and Not Yet*, Ruth shows us how to.. .The book "Now and Not Yet" shows us how to...
embrace the biblical truth that someday is made up of thousands of right nows; Embrace the biblical truth that someday consists of thousands of right nows;
discern how the difficult parts of our lives are actually a unique gift by discovering five ways to flip the script on a hard season; Explore five ways to flip the script on a difficult time in your life;
stop feeling trapped when we are not where we want to be with guided liturgies for what we are facing today; and With guided liturgies for what we face today, we can stop feeling trapped when we aren't where we want to be; and live faithfully in the tension between what is and what is not yet.

Embrace the tension between what is and what is yet to come.
 
It's important that you take action now. You can also choose not to check out and press in. Knowing God is at work even when you don't see the progress you desire. Because he's not through with you yet.It's because he hasn't finished with you yet.



I give Now and Not Yet five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this #gifted book!*

Title: Now and Not Yet
Author: Ruth Chou Simons
Genre: Nonfiction/Devotional

Review: “If our desire is to experience more of God’s purposes and plans for our lives, then a posture of rest in the God we trust—free and unhindered—is exactly what we must cultivate right now.” In this devotional style book, Ruth Chou Simons talks about the struggle of the in-between, those times of waiting when life isn’t quite what you expected. You’ll find biblical truth and practical encouragement for the waiting season. Plus the pages are filled with Ruth’s beautiful artwork. You’ll also get a liturgy at the end of each chapter that can help guide your prayers. This is a devotional that you’ll want to leave on your coffee table as both beautiful decor and timeless truth to access any time!

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you NetGalley, Nelson Books, and Ruth Chou Simons for the ARC of this book!

Timing is everything, and currently I have been surrounded with people in their struggle of what's next for them and why not now. Whether it is family members, co-workers, students, or friends. It seems like everywhere I turn, the future seems so distant and we just want answers and instant gratification. It's in our nature - but at what cost? Through her vulnerability, Ruth shares the ups and downs of the less than glamorous life of being a mom of boys, speaker, author, and artist. She gives us an inside view to her real life, not an Instagram one and her struggles that she's faced with trusting God's plan for her over the years, especially when she felt the door wasn't opening - but her calling was still nudging at her. I appreciated the ways she used Scripture throughout each chapter, and how she challenges your thinking to not focus on what you don't have but focus on what you do, then trust God's plan - even if you don't want to wait. When we feel like we aren't getting where we want to go, Ruth says that we start to pull back on our daily bread - when instead we should be running towards Him more. If you are in a season of questioning, waiting, not understanding why - this book is for you. Even if you are content on where you are, this book is for you - because the season will come back around. One of my favorite parts was when she ended each chapter with a liturgy, continuing to focus back to God. I recommend this book to YOU!
#NowandNotYet #NetGalley

Corrie ten Boom said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God;” and in Now and Not Yet, Ruth gracefully walks us through what that looks like—to be in a season of waiting and wanting and to trust God with the present, the unknown, and the not yet.

She reminds us of what missionary and author Elisabeth Elliot once said, “The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances” and encourages us to press into the truth that “we are made by God, for God, and to be satisfied in God.”

By interlacing godly wisdom and biblical truths with her own personal stories and liturgies, Ruth directs our gaze towards God and reassures us that we are secure in Him.

Truly, every chapter, every page of Now and Not Yet is rich in both grace and gracious words—making it like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul.

I loved it!

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I feel like I am constantly wishing for my circumstances to change. In her new book, Now and Not Yet, Ruch Chou Simons shows us how to live in the already but the not yet. It is such a needed message for my heart. I am thankful for her heart to share and encourage women with the truth.

This book is one to be savored. To be read slowly and thoughtfully and acted upon. It’s a book I will reread. Ruth Chou Simons is a new author for me and based on the value of the message contained in this book, I will be seeking out other books by her. Highly recommend! I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are strictly my own.

I really enjoyed Ruth's writing and how the book was firmly based in scripture. She encourages and challenges you and also provides questions to work through. As someone who loves to plan and be organized, the "Chaos Produces Character" chapter was very challenging for me but provided an important perspective.

I loved a lot of the "liturgies for pressing in". As well, Ruth's lovely artwork of course makes appearances throughout.

Thank you Ruth Chou Simons and Netgalley for an arc of this book. I really loved this book and the insightfulness. I really appreciated that the focus was God centered and reminded you it is His time and not ours

Beautiful! This book could not have come at a better time in my life. So often we are looking down the road at what our life could be. This book is perfect for anyone that's struggling with living where you are right now, loving who you are right now, and excepting that this is exactly where God needs you to be. He's got you and has tremendous plans for your future.

I have read a number of books by Ruth Chou Simons, many of which heavily feature her art. Now and Not Yet has lovely graphics, but not lots of her art. This book is directed to Christian women who find themselves in circumstances they would rather not be in. I related to this book because I have several things I hope will change in my personal life, but they have not done so yet. "This book is for those of us who are waiting, wanting, and restless for more", as Simons states in her introduction. This book helps readers see that God is working in their lives right now. Each chapter ends with a truth about God to press in to as well as a prayer. This book is recommended highly. I received an advanced copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read this book before it was available to the public. I loved Ruth's encouragement and stories from personal experiences. She always brings it back to The Bible and what God says about times in our life when we are tested and wondering about our right now circumstances. I especially love the liturgy at the end of each chapter, helping me to focus and reach out in prayer to my Heavenly Father. I will be reading this book again and go to it for reminders and encouragement.

As always, RCS books are absolutely gorgeous and inspiring! I went in thinking this would be the normal devotional format but was surprised that there was a lot more content to read and consider. Ruth deep dives into the topic of feeling restless, unfulfilled, and anxious with where we are in life. She gave honest examples of various times in her life that she felt this way. She also provided wonderful advice based on solid scripture and theology to remind the reader that though you may be wondering about your nows that God has it all covered.

(Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for my gifted e-copy in exchange for an honest review.)

Wow, this was an amazing book.

Ruth Chou Simons is an auto-buy author for me, and this book did not disappoint! So full of truth and wisdom, Now and Not Yet is all about stewarding the season that God has you in now well. The subtitle "Pressing in When You're Waiting, Wanting, and Restless for More" really covers what this book is about, and it was such a helpful and encouraging read for me. It's so tempting to put your hope in a different season instead of in Jesus, but this book was full of beautiful reminders to embrace your current season and to be faithful in it.

One of my absolute favorite parts about this book is that there is a liturgy at the end of each chapter. These liturgies were so wonderful and I really, really looked forward to each one.

Absolutely loved this book. It'll definitely be one of my top 2024 reads!

Highly recommend!