I found this book to be very encouraging and it remained rooted in Scriptural truths. Despite how different our lives may be, we all have experienced the tension of the "now and not yet".

Anything written by Ruth Chou Simons is beautiful, and this is no exception. Thank you for the early access. I treasured this book and will be purchasing a hard copy!

This book is cathartic.

Reading through, I was able to settle my sometimes anxious thoughts of when will things change for me. Guess what, sometimes this is where you are meant to be. And you are not the only person that feels like they are stuck - not by a long way!

Obviously we can always try to improve and change our season, but sometimes the best laid plans blow up. This book reminds us to continually turn to God for guidance, and that he knows all plans, so “might” just have what’s best for us at play!

It’s not exactly groundbreaking writing, but a great example of reinforcing what we already know or have an inkling of. With some new things thrown in.

However, my feedback for the quote pages is not good. The writing was very hard to decipher (fortunately taken from the text so I could cross reference) and I didn’t enjoy the colour scheme.

What a wonderful reminder that even if we don’t feel like it at the moment, God has us in a place meant just for us. The season may be difficult, but there is a purpose. The book has wonderful reminders of God’s blessings and tips on how we can step back, assess, and try to see ourselves and our lives through God’s plan. I liked the suggestion of leaning into whatever is currently happening in our lives and embracing it for what it could be for us.

Have you ever thought there was a gift in the “not yet”? After reading this book if your answer is no you might changed your mind.

Bestselling author Chou Simon's reminds us that we don't have to like our right now, but lean in. Once you do, you will realize that Ruth's insights are applicable to many of our trials and tribulations.
Whether confronting grief, relationship issues, or personal growth, "Now and Not Yet" will anchor readers with tools and perspectives to not merely endure but to flourish right where we are.
I loved this read.

I am so glad that I read this book at this point in my life. I feel that it is very needed for anyone who just wants this season of life to be over so they can move on to the next. Ruth Chou Simons helps us rest in the season that we are in and make the best out of it. She also helps us to know that it is okay to not like every season of our lives. Ruth backs all of her thoughts up with biblical truth that is just so needed. I really loved the liturgies that Ruth Chou Simons includes in this book they are very beautiful. I felt so in touch with the things she was/is feeling in her seasons of life so I am glad that she included real-life stories in order to let us know we are not alone. Ruth Chou Simons helps us to realize that our right now matters and that God can use us in every season. This book is so wonderfully infused with encouragement. I would recommend this book to anyone who feels restless in their current season of life.
Thank you to NetGalley and Nelson Books. I was not required to leave a review and these opinions are my own.

Such a great book full of the truth from
Scripture and encouragement for those who feel stuck and unsure of what is head. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for direction in their life. I enjoyed how the author comes along side you with her story and hope.
Thanks for the advanced copy.

I am so glad I came across this one! If you are like me and stuck in a place of wanting to make an impact or just get out of where you are- if you're in a dry season or a hard season where you're somewhere in between not knowing how, when, or if you're going to come out of it- this one is for you.

Now and Not Yet is such a grounded book, referencing scripture often and was encouraging to me in many ways. It's a reminder that even while you're restless God can and is still growing you and you can do things in the waiting that matter even if it doesn't seem that way to your human eyes.

I appreciated the reality that Ruth shares that we might not ever get that full on reach we want or whatever it is, that even while we are waiting we can still recognize and acknowledge that its hard, it stinks and it hurts, but that our emotions aren't the be all end all-> that doesn't change the truth that Gods plan is better for us and we can make an impact and have enough and find joy in where we are. God is always working. What will you do in the now, where you are? You can make an impact where you are. You are valuable. The time is valuable in each season and you can trust God.

My favorite part was that at the end of each chapter, Ruth shared liturgies that she wrote pertaining to what was covered in that chapter that were practical, biblical and beautiful and it ministered to & encouraged my weary heart. At the end of the book there is also a section where verses are all compiled together, which is great if you just want one place for encouragement when you're in now and not yet of your own day.

I've not been familiar with Ruth before this book but am grateful to have come across this one and had an opportunity to read it when I did. It came at the best time for me. Rating this one close to a 4.5 star!

Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for an advanced e-copy of this one! All opinions expressed are truthful and 100% my own.

I really enjoyed this book! Not only was it supported by scripture but had so many impactful, real life examples that helped me to understand the teaching/principles. I also enjoyed the author's voice. I have never read anything by her, but now I look forward to opening up her backlist.

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.