Meeting Ruth Chou Simons

"Jesus demonstrated success by doing exactly what the father gave Him to do. For Jesus, faithfulness was success." ~ Ruth Chou Simons, Beholding and Becoming

I read Beholding and Becoming by Ruth Simons for the first time earlier this year. Every day when I sat down for my devotional time and read her book, I just felt completely renewed! She has such a way of clearly expressing beautiful, biblical truths in simple yet profound ways. Also, did I mention that it's completely illustrated by Ruth herself?! Suffice it to say, this book just took my breath away! So of course when I saw her release a new book (and one about advent at that) I was all over it.

Then I found out she would be in town doing a book signing of the new book! I was shocked; however, I remembered that my in-laws and grandparents were going to be in town during the book signing, so I kind of wrote off being able to go. We mentioned it to my mother-in-law, though, and she said to go ahead and buy tickets for everyone (but that I would just get the book). So a short few days later, I found myself at the book signing with my husband, in-laws, and grandparents! They kindly joined me on this adventure just so that I could meet Ruth in the flesh and get my books signed.

It was a sweet evening at one of my favorite book stores in town. Surrounded by stacks of books, the smell of coffee roasting, and soft, ambient light, Ruth spoke to us for about 25 minutes about Christmas and the advent season. She explained in the end that her main intention of writing an advent devotional book is not so that we get so focused on the magic in those 25 or 30 days surrounding Christmas but that the magic we feel in those special days will carry us throughout the year when things don't feel as special. It is so important to have this mindset - Christmas is not the end. If anything, it is the beginning, and we get to be renewed each year through it.

I highly recommend checking out Beholding and Becoming as well as the several other books she has published (which I now hope to read at some point), and her company GraceLaced. You are sure to find many sweet truths and wisdom in her work and some beautiful art!