God works in wonderful ways that we often don't expect. For instance, if you had told me a year ago that my review page would be something that many people would read, I would have said you were crazy. Thanks to God, that is now a reality. Alex and Brett Harris found my blog through my review of Mr. Alcorn's book, Eternity. The Harris twins generously sent me a copy of their book, Do Hard Things. It is a challenge for teens by teens. The challenge is to... do hard things. To not just be satisfied with being average. To go above and beyond for God's glory and our strengthening. Another issue that the Harris brothers address is that of the low expectations for teens in today's culture. If we expect to fail, either we won't try at all, or we will give up when we come against our first challenge. Do Hard Things should be at the very top of everyone's reading list, regardless of age. While I was reading it, my eyes were opened to the many areas in which I had been shirking doing hard things that I knew I should do. As the writers state, they are not encouraging a mentality of always choosing the hardest path. Their message is that drifting along with the low expectations for young people is not our only option. God gives us the opportunity to do way more than is asked, expected, or required. You might be wondering what kinds of hard things are discussed in the book. Normally, when I think of 'doing hard things', my first thought is something big. Like raising thousands of dollars for a charity. Those things are addressed, but doing the small hard things, like breaking bad habits, and doing things outside your comfort zone are sometimes the hardest of all. I was pleased to find that the Rebelution movement doesn't end with the book, Do Hard Things. In their second book, Start Here, Alex and Brett Harris answer many common questions about how to actually do the hard things. Their website (TheRebelution.com) is a great place to find out what hard things other teens have been doing, and how you can help. Besides that, there are many inspiring and encouraging articles to be read. In Do Hard Things, the Gospel is presented in a straight-forward manner, which I was glad to find. I cannot recommend this book enough. Click here to buy a copy of Do Hard Things.
6 Comments
10/4/2014 05:39:00 am
Thank you so much for this review, KDBug! We're so glad the book encouraged and challenged you. More than that, we're thankful to see that you came away from reading it realizing that while doing "big" things is hard, quiet faithfulness in the little things is often the hardest (and always the most important) thing of all.
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M. Osborne
10/16/2014 04:23:27 am
I love the idea behind your book - glad to have found this review. Many years ago the most brilliant person I know - double phd - told me something I have told my kids ever since: that difficult things are difficult for everyone. That's why they are called "difficult". There is no special kind of person that can do difficult things- just those willing to work through difficulty without giving up. Our culture pushes competition, but that is a wrong focus, so we aim for excellence and best efforts instead.
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KDsDaddy
10/18/2014 10:53:34 am
Brett - thanks for the encouragement you have been to so many young (and old) people through the ministry of your lives - to include your book.
Grandma A
10/4/2014 11:31:48 am
Good job, Katie! Well-written. Guess I had better put this one on my list also.
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Christopher
10/14/2014 04:22:52 am
I'll be putting this on my girls' reading list. Sounds good. Thanks Katie.
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Cheryl F
10/16/2014 01:28:49 am
Good review Katie. I am putting this book next on my list.
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