Emily is Smiling

I read a book recently that truly brought my thoughts into perspective.  It's called "Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations" by Alex and Brett Harris.  If you haven't read this book, I recommend it, whether you're ten, fifteen, or forty-five.  It's fantastic and it smacked me in the face (in a godly way), many times.  If the title alone isn't enough to sell you on this book, does it help that Chuck Norris wrote the foreword?  Yeah, I thought so.

Summary:
The title of this book is pretty self-explanatory.  It's nonfiction.  The focused audience is teenagers, but the book could easily inspire people of any age.  The back of the book says, "Most people don't expect you to understand what we're going to tell you in this book.  And even if you understand, they don't expect you to care.  And even if you care, they don't expect you to do anything about it.  And even if you do something about it, they don't expect it to last.  We do."  "Do Hard Things" is basically a book that challenges young Christians to step outside our comfort zones and do amazing things for Christ. 

What I Liked:
"Do Hard Things" was very straightforward and simply written, but it wasn't "dumbed down," as they talk about in the book.  In other words, while a young teenager or pre-teen could easily sit down and read this book without having to drag along a dictionary, the book is still challenging.  It was even difficult for me to read, a "model" teenager who many adults brag about because I haven't done drugs and alcohol, like many others my age.  "Do Hard Things" is truly the kind of book that "stabs you in the face," just like what that Superchick song talks about.  I felt so inspired and challenged after reading "Do Hard Things," and I know you will be too.

What I Didn't Like:
At times, I thought Alex and Brett Harris could use fewer examples and delve deeper into God's Word and their own writing, but this is only a very small critique, and while there are many teenage examples, many of them inspired me.

I Recommend This For:
Everyone.  Seriously.  Randy Alcorn said, "[This] will prove to be one of the most life-changing and culture-changing books of this generation.  I'd love for every teenager to read this book, but I'm just as eager for every parent, church leader, and educator to read it."  Wow.  That's all I can say.  I needed a boost during my stressful senior year of high school, and this book was just what I needed.