"We are made by God, for God and to be satisfied in God."

"...here's the paradigm shift that will transform our restlessness and unsatisfied right now: feeling restless and unsatisfied is exactly where we need to be in order for God to shape us where He wants us to go."

Ruth Chou Simons is one of my favorite Christian Living authors. Not only does she have the beautiful spiritual gift of encouragement through heavy topics, her artwork on the pages are so aesthetically pleasing. I started this book thinking I've come pretty far with living a contented life after decades of feeling nothing but discontent but man, does she have a way with words to show you how to press in even further. I had so many emotions as I read this book and that isn't a bad thing. This book made me think and pray deeply about my own current Now and Not Yet season which allowed me to see the beauty in all of the seasons God allows. We may never truly be who we want or thought we would be...and that is OK because our God has a purpose for us in our present, right-now life.

Ruth points us back to scripture time and again and her liturgies at the close of each chapter are beautifully written. I will be praying them again and again.

Thank you to the publisher and author for allowing me on their launch team to be able to get an eARC to preread the book before today. I received my hardcopy today and can't wait to start it all over again. This is one to read and share with the women in your life no matter what stage of life they are in.

This is my second book read by this author. The first one was “Foundations” and is still the favourite.
This book is bible grounded, full of biblical exemples and a lot of wow moments. Still, it felt like a cozy discussion at a cup of coffee with the author.
You can’t go wrong with Ruth Chou Simons!

The book is well-written with Biblical/scriptural references and Simons draws on both spiritual foundations and her own experiences to offer advice and comfort. Personally, I felt the book did not necessarily add anything new to the non-fiction Christian genre of similar books about waiting or struggles, but I have no doubt that many readers will enjoy and find value in the work nonetheless. While it is Christian based, readers of various faith backgrounds may appreciate Simons' insights into being content in the present.

Love this book so much! Grateful for the reminders and the truth in this book!! Looking forward to new releases from this author!

When you read "Now and Not Yet" you're going to think "That's me! How did she know?" You will want to grab a journal and write to get everything you can from this book! Write your prayers, copy many great quotes, answer the deep questions asked of us.

This book is "hard work," not just fluff, but oh so worth it. It's full of scripture and encouragement and calls us to contentment. There's a liturgy at the end of each chapter that I enjoyed and even copied a few in my journal.

One of my favorite short quotes: "We are made by God, for God, and to be satisfied in God."

I highly recommend this book!

This book is so timely and full of grace and wisdom. At a time when my dreams for the future seem starkly different from my current reality, this book gives lasting and real hope. It is full of encouragement, truth, tenderness, and peace, peppered with stories that bring the truths to life. If you have ever found yourself frustrated with your daily life, or concerned about the world around you, or just disenchanted with the way things are, this book has some good words for you, with some beautiful pictures sprinkled in.

Here is another incredible book by Ruth Chou Simons. She is honest with her audience and continues to impress upon them the importance of fixing their gaze on Jesus. The tension of now and not yet is something I believe many Christians battle with. Not only is the book devotional, but Simons adds practical questions and steps for each chapter. The liturgies at the end of each chapter help the reader to meditate further on the truth she writes. This was a fantastic and encouraging read.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the advanced copy. I greatly appreciate it.

This is a book I needed to read at a time in my life where I felt stuck and needed a strong reminder of faith. Ruth Chou Simons does an excellent job of telling her personal stories and tying them to scripture. Her stories are relatable and encouraging, and no matter the challenges someone is facing, there is a chapter that can resonate for anyone. I especially enjoyed the prayers at the end of each chapter, along with her signature style writing highlighting a reminder from the chapter.

Ruth does it again. She's written a book that I didn't know my heart needed. It's been a hard year for our family, with big changes and feeling like we aren't where we want to be. I thought I had moved on, processed it all, but here I am, sobbing into the pages of this book, praising God for all that he has done, will do, and for how gracious He is. I seriously cannot recommend this book enough.

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.