Alex and Brett Harris have grown up doing hard things. Their parents thought that encouraging them to do hard things was the best way to raise them, and I am glad they decided to make it the theme of their home schooling experience. Brett and Alex would agree.
Their book, “Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations” is a testimony to the success of Mr. and Mrs. Harris’ convictions. Their sons wrote the book to testify to the fact that because most parents and adults don’t expect much from teens, that is exactly what they usually get – not much.
They present an exciting alternative to the normal attitude towards teens – expect them to do hard things and they will. Their message to teens is this: dare to set your standards high, dare to risk doing hard things now while you are young and it will set you on a course of amazing adventures through out your life. You will get a taste for doing great things for God, and you will be able to accomplish more than you could ever dream.
Chuck Norris writes the foreward for the Harris boys’ book, and sets the tone of the book. He attests to his own life experience of having to do hard things at an early age. He believes with the Harrises that “Each of us is call to reach for greatness. There really is a hero in each of us. We’ve all been designed by God to be a blessing to many – a hero to some. But there is only one way to get there – it is described by the title of this book – Do Hard Things.
Do Hard Things is a how to book, but much more than that. In Part 1, the young men tell the story of their own journey as they started doing hard things, and what they learned about themselves in the process. They tell the story of how they were encouraged and guided by their parents to broaden their vision of how they could help other teens realize what they could accomplish as well.
Part II is the meat of the how to: they share the 5 kinds of hard and some practical ways to look at each one. The first step is just being willing to step outside of your comfort zone. Teen, what dream is God giving you? What hard thing is he asking you to do? Step 2 is a challenge to do hard things that go beyond what is expected or required. Raise the bar! Step 3 is an important teaching on collaboration – we don’t have to do these hard things alone. So who can help you accomplish the impossible?
Step 4 is a really wise and important lesson to learn early: do small hard things first. This is just what Jesus taught when he said that those who are faithful in little will prove to be faithful in much. They are the ones he will end up trusting with the big hard things that need to get done in this world. And number 5 is this: Take a Stand. They are up front with their teen readers that the hard things God will have them do will often go against the crowd.
Part III is the Harris brothers plea to join their teen movement to Do Hard Things. They call it the Rebelution. Through their website – TheRebellution.com – teens can get in contact with others who are longing to make a difference in their world; they are linked to other resources; and there is always a new challenge and testimony to teens who are “Doing Hard Things”.
I felt privileged to read this book. Yes, it is written to and for teens, but as an adult who loves teens, it made me more determined than ever to do all I can to mentor this next generation who will change the world.
I encourage both teens and adults to read this wonderful book.
Reviewed by Joan Tyvoll
