Girls Night #251: How to be More Present When you Want to Skip Ahead — with Ruth Chou Simons
May 13, 2024
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Guest expert Ruth Chou Simons discusses embracing waiting seasons in life, staying present, and finding growth in challenging situations. She shares insights on her latest book 'Now and Not Yet' and emphasizes the importance of trusting God's plan, utilizing therapy for personal development, and embracing purpose and gifts.
Embrace waiting seasons for growth and sanctification rather than wishing them away.
Consistent effort and patience are essential for eventual blossoming, like tending to a Meyer lemon tree.
Deep dives
Embracing Waiting Seasons in Life
Being in a waiting season can feel challenging, whether it's due to personal decisions or unforeseen circumstances. The guest, Ruth Jo Simons, discusses the value of leaning into these waiting periods rather than wishing them away. By sharing her insights from her book 'Now and Not Yet,' Ruth emphasizes that waiting seasons are opportunities for growth and sanctification, encouraging listeners to trust God's timing and purpose even when faced with uncertainty.
The Importance of Consistent Growth
Ruth highlights the idea that growth does not always lead to immediate visible results like blooming flowers. Drawing from her experience with gardening, she conveys that steady growth and tending to hidden areas are essential for eventual blossoming. Using the analogy of a Meyer lemon tree, she emphasizes the value of consistent effort and patience in nurturing growth, even when tangible outcomes may not be immediately apparent.
Navigating Seasons of Motherhood
Reflecting on her journey as a mother raising six boys, Ruth shares the lessons she has learned about embracing the various stages of motherhood. She encourages listeners not to wait for the next phase to bring ease but to intentionally disciple, nurture, and seek growth in each season. Ruth's personal experience underscores the significance of remaining faithful and intentional in the everyday moments, recognizing the value of small, consistent efforts in influencing future outcomes.
Stewarding Gifts and Trusting God's Plan
Ruth emphasizes the importance of stewarding the gifts and resources one possesses, regardless of their perceived magnitude. She urges listeners to start where they are, using what they have been given to impact others positively. By highlighting the value of humility and faithfulness in utilizing God-given abilities, Ruth encourages individuals to trust in God's sovereignty and to focus on serving and impacting others rather than seeking personal recognition or grand achievements.
I’m so excited about today’s episode. Today we’re talking about how to stay present even if you’re not exactly where you want to be in life.
I’m excited about this episode because if you’re anything like me, when you’re going through a waiting season, all you want to do is skip forward and get to the “good part” where it feels like you have your life together again. Or maybe you want to skip ahead because what you’re currently facing — in your job, in parenting, in a relationship — is too hard, too messy, or not at all where you pictured you would be at this time in your life.
Friends, I get it. I’ve been there too. But the more waiting seasons I’ve lived through, the more that I’ve discovered that they're not something to wish away. They’re actually something to lean into, and today’s guest is going to teach all about this!
Our guest for today’s episode is my new friend, Ruth Chou Simons. Ruth is a bestselling author of several books and Bible studies, an artist, entrepreneur, podcaster, and speaker, using each of these platforms to sow the Word of God into people’s hearts. I’ve been a fan of Ruth for years and love the work that she does. Her newest book is called, Now and Not Yet: Pressing in When You’re Waiting, Wanting, and Restless for More.
In the description she says this book is showing us how to “embrace the biblical truth that someday is made up of thousands of right nows” and that’s really what this episode is all about!
If you’re feeling stuck in your current circumstances, I hope today’s conversation is the reminder you need that no season is wasted and it’s possible to grow in the right here and right now.
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