Now and Not Yet by Ruth Chou Simons is a gentle reminder to readers that, while we as Christians will certainly deal with disappointments and will struggle to feel the Lord's presence at times, we can still trust in the His unfailing faithfulness.

I am a long-time reader and follower of Ms. Simons and am regularly encouraged by her gentle and loving way of speaking Biblical truths into our lives not matter the stage or season of life we are in. Her words are never judgmental but are always encouraging, like a sister coming along side you to guide you closer to Christ - sharing that she also has felt these feelings and dealt with these questions. At the end of each chapter are liturgical breath prayers, designed for the reader to focus more on the theme of each chapter.

Not only is this book well written, the art inside is beautiful as well. Just like her writing, Ms. Simons art is calming and peaceful. This is a book I am definitely going to purchase a physical copy to have on my shelf.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

WOW. What a powerful, timely message: start where you are, because this moment matters. In this book, hiddenness is seen, vulnerability is shown, and the struggle of one in the waiting is embraced.

Ruth Chou Simons' writing is relatable and moving. Not only does she give words to our struggle, but she makes you believe that she’s been there with you, fighting in similar trenches against similar unseen enemies (Time. Exhaustion. Heartache.).

Not only is it beautifully written, but it’s beautiful to look at too, with aesthetic artwork and applicable quotes on whole pages. Bible verses are not forced down the reader's throat, but are tastefully and applicably utilized, with relevance and timeliness. The author seamlessly integrates mental health concepts such as reframing, with spirituality. In addition, practical application questions and a "liturgy for pressing in" are found at the conclusion of each chapter, enabling the reader to both better assess their own measures of the chapter's topic and take action steps accordingly.

This book carries one of the most important messages of our modern day: slow down, get comfortable in the mess, and be okay with not being okay. Everyone should be reading and taking to heart the contents of this book!

Thank you for the honor of reviewing this pre-publication!

Ruth Choy Simons newest book, Now and Not Yet, deals with the tension we have as Christians dealing with disappointments and struggles we face now and trusting the faithfulness of God. I love the way she approaches these issues with gentleness.

I loved this book. How often do I feel the tension between holding onto the hope of God’s promises and yet I cannot feel Him with me. While I am not in a dark night of the soul season right now, this book speaks to me in my current season of fatigue and overwhelmed. I will visit with this beautiful book again. Thank you to the publisher for allowing me access to this book as an ARC on NetGalley.

In this book, Simons walks Christians through the tension between the now and the not yet as it relates to the Christian life. She draws from a lot of scriptural truth to encourage Christians to be content where they are even when they're in hard situations.

"God allows us to feel barren desperation in the desert so that we might run to the oasis of his provision. We want his provision and the relief his blessings will bring, but we don't want the wilderness that teaches us about our great need for Him."

I found this book to be very encouraging and highly recommend it for someone struggling in their current season and yearning for something more.

This is a book I will buy a physical copy of. The truths and encouragements held within are ones to keep in reach for when the not yet seasons of life come. And the liturgical prayers listed at the end of every chapter are worth the purchase alone. Each one I wanted to screen shot and print off to keep in front of me.

Truth be told, in the first few chapters I felt a little disappointed. The book was not hitting where I had expected it to. I love Ruth Chou Simons work and had high hopes for this book. And I'm so glad I kept reading and didn't abandon it. Because the depth I was looking for came as the book continued on.

There are also a few digging deeper portions in the back of the book to take the concepts of the books deeper and also into practical applications.

I have walked the path of the "Now and not yet" for many years, but it was encouraging to again reminded of basic principles to follow in the Now that help with the not yet in my personal difficult current situation.

I loved the message of this book. It was actually right on time with my life drama right now. However, it didn't really keep me interested the entire time. I found myself drifting on and getting bored. But overall great book on waiting using scripture.

A play on the phrase "already, but not yet" that is a biblical perspective/theological concept, "Now and Not Yet" by Ruth Chou Simons is a mix of personal stories, Biblical teaching, and encouragement for those who aren't thrilled (or are perhaps disappointed) with their right-now-life. Each chapter ends with a 'truth to press into' that is essentially a one-sentence recap of the chapter, as well as 'a liturgy for pressing in' which is much more of a prayer than a lyrical, more modern-day liturgy that you might find in Every Moment Holy, Liturgies for Hope, etc. My favorite line from one (chapter 10) was: "Here I stand, with the details of my past, the not yets of my present, and the unknowns of the future you hold."

Thank you to Net Galley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for providing an early copy of Now and Not Yet by Ruth Chou Simons

The message seems simple, but Ruth Chou Simons makes use of pertinent Bible passages, personal experience and famous author quotes to make the point that we spend too much time planning for every eventuality in our lives rather than trusting in the Almighty to live in the moment and to experience the best possible outcomes relating to that moment.

Simons describes her own personal journey as an artist, preacher's wife, mother of six boys and entrepreneur to make the case that life is not about always wishing for things to go a certain way but rather accepting the now and making it fulfilling as the will of God.

The author has included a number of Bible passages both Old and New Testament to make her point of accepting where one is at and flipping the negatives into positives. Also included are prayerful words in each chapter that can be utilized to keep a focus on the now and not yet.

Questions have been provided that offer the reader an opportunity to contemplate one's own day-to-day experiences and how to make the most of them, even when they are unexpected.

Now and Not Yet is best read in small segments that give the reader the time needed to consider making small but meaningful changes that could lead to a more fulfilling and faith-filled life.

Now and Not Yet is a book about the unsure present time in any believer’s current life. This is my second book by Ruth Chou Simons, and I loved When Strivings Cease.

I read a few other reviews that said this book is too long, and I partially agree. Though instead of a book like this, I think I would have enjoyed going through these 10 lessons as a Bible study. I’d find myself lost as to what the book is about at times, though the inner message is clear and important.

The writing is detailed and good. She uses the Bible and other Bible scholars to support every part of this book, which I really enjoy. The ninth chapter was my favorite with the in depth look at David and Moses (I think).

This book would have come in handy when I’d just had my first child, and I’d recommend it for anyone who feels stuck.

I received this ARC from Netgalley for my honest review.

What an insightful yet practical book! I resonated deeply with much of what Ruth wrote about, even though our circumstances look different. That’s the mark of a great book, I appreciated the inclusion of her personal stories as well as scripture and Biblical stories. The liturgies at the end of every chapter were a nice touch, too. I’m hoping to get my own copy soon!

I finished this soon to be released book by artist and book anther Ruth Cho Simons – Now and Not Yet – Pressing in When You’re Waiting, Wanting, and Restless for More, last night while it started to snow in the south. This is a beautiful written book, part memoir, part devotion. It is a good book for those in a waiting season, struggling with unknown or feeling stuck. Your right now matters where you are, no matter what the circumstances or the situation!

The last couple chapters I related the most with, as it deals with living in areas you don’t connect with. It is also especially applicable to things going on in the world today around us. She shared her story, the story of the Israelite’s in exile, and abiding in Jesus.

Here are some highlights of mine from the book:

The lesson we learn from the deserts of our lives is that we truly don’t live by bread alone. Our any other comfort, satisfaction, or earthy good. Our sustenance comes only from the Lord. The desert may be unwanted, but it is purposeful.
The constant stream of input in our lives encourages us either to embrace the lives we’ve been given or to wish them away. But what we may not realize is the one voice that has the greatest influence in our lives.
We choose to be fueled by what God says about who He is and who we are instead of being swayed by all the influences vying for our attention, trying to claim our lives.
We’re quick to believe that right here can’t possibly be where God chooses to use us.
We live where we live, ultimately, because God has sent use here, at least for today. And the providential hand of God never moves without purpose.
Even if we are places where we don’t want to be, He is a God who carries us, who listens to us, who is knowable and intimate, and who will fulfill His promise. All we need to do is press in and take the first small step.
We will have to guard against coasting and growing complacent. We will have to explore, dig in, and be sure we fully grasp the mercies of God’s grace through Christ.

This would be a great book to do a study with friends and/or to give as a gift to yourself of that person in your life struggling in a season of waiting. For more about the book and author, be sure to check out https://ruthchousimons.com/

Here is a recent post the author shared about her book: If you’ve ever longed to be somewhere other than right where you are, wished you were further along, or impatient to be on the other side of your current circumstances— over there, not here…

…then you are my people, and this one’s for you.

👉🏼 We’re gonna start where we are, and stop waiting for someday to find God faithful. (Turns out— #youdonthavetobebloomingtobegrowing wasn’t just a lesson for that one time in my life, but one for all seasons. 🌱) #ruthchousimons #nowandnotyetbook

This is the first book I have read by Ruth Chou Simmons. I gained valuable insight and tools for learning to press in to my right now. This book will give the readers practical ways to navigate the seasons we find ourselves in that look nothing like what we thought they would. We are given biblical foundations on how to do this. I highly recommend this book.

** I was granted an early reader copy of this book through Netgalley. Thank you to the publishers for this opportunity. The opinions in this review are mine.

"Now and Not Yet" by Ruth Chou Simons not only calls us back to the Now it shows us how it always seems to be our nature to focus on the times ahead when we believe those perfect plans and ideals we have for our life will be in place. Things are always going to better when we can get past the Now that is imperfect, messy, and even undesired. We always "can't wait" for another time or season in our life and we feel a sense of longing for a what we think can and will be better for us. Often in the Now, things are missing or hard and we long to be in the next season of life when everything will be better and be how we envisioned and planned.

Using passages/scriptures from the Bible, personal stories, and insight Ruth Chou Simons explains the importance, benefits, and beauty of trusting God in these "Now and Not Yet" moments. These "Now and Not Yet" moments and seasons should and can be used to strengthen our faith in Christ. We are reminded how God uses us where we our at and there a purpose and reason in the Now.

Ruth Chou Simons lovingly touches on that moment in our lives where we feel out of touch with where we want to be. It seems to be a constant in life - that no matter what circumstances we are in, we feel this sense of longing for what we think could be better for us. Something is missing, something is difficult, and we long to be in the next season of life or through the difficult circumstance we are in. Through passages from the Bible, relatability and wisdom, she explains the beauty of trusting God in these moments. These trials strengthen our faith in Christ. And even though it seems like there are no constants in the tumult of our lives and we would love to know what the future looks like for us, God in us is the constant.

This book was exactly what I needed. I plan to buy it for all my friends. If any book is a must read, this is the one.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The concept of this book is great. However, I had a few issues with the execution. Before I get into the drawbacks of this title, I want to first say that I love Ruth Chou Simons, Jennie Allen & If: Gathering. I heard her message a few years ago and strongly enjoy her speaking. That being said, a few things stuck out to me when reading this book. The first glaring issue I had with it was the formatting. It was improperly formatted for kindle readers and while I was able to read through, it was extremely distracting. The tables were not formatted as tables and it was scattered. It did not seem to line up correctly 100% of the time. While the book was down to earth & relatable with wonderful stories which were definitely a plus, the message could've been condensed down to 1 chapter. It lost impact because of being lengthened. Overall, I wish there had been more revision and editing but it was still an enjoyable read.

We all live in the tension of now and not yet, between what is and what is to come. Ruth, in her gentle and encouraging way, gives us great advice on how to make the most of this place. Practical and beautiful, scripturally sound, easy to read but so much to think about — it is a great read.

Now and Not Yet is the latest from Ruth Chou Simons. I was introduced to Ruth’s writing with her Bible Study, “When Strivings Cease.” Every study I read from Ruth, God does a deep work in me and “Now and Not Yet” is no different coming in with another on time, much needed word. This is an amazing “real” Bible Study for this time.

I received an advanced readers copy from Thomas Nelson and Netgalley. Opinions are my own.

Ruth Chou Simons is an award-winning Christian author and founder of the company GraceLaced. Her newest book is entitled, "Now and Not Yet: Pressing in When You’re Waiting, Wanting, and Restless for More." The title caught my attention because I am living in a sort of waiting period (as is true of many others). Simons uses her trademark transparency and gentleness to remind her readers that "slow growth is still growth" and "you don't have to be blooming to be growing." She asserts that "if only I knew what God was doing in my present reality, perhaps then I could really enjoy where I'm at because I'd know how my story will make sense in the end." In this book, we're reminded that we're rarely called to do something we feel like we'd be good at, but rather, God delights to call us to accomplish tasks that are too hard for us. He will enable us when He calls us.

This book was an encouraging and convicting read, and will be a blessing to anyone who feels that they are in a waiting period in their own lives. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.