Do Hard Things
by Alex and Brett Harris
It's a fairly well-known fact that not much is expected of young people nowadays. I'm sure I'm not the only one who is known as a very impressive lady just because she doesn't do a lot of the things that other teenagers do. I'm praised, but rarely challenged. Other people tell me that I'm one awesome gal, which contradicts my feelings that I have a long way to go yet. Where does it stop? When I have I done enough? At what point can I say that I've made it, that I can sit back and relax?
Do Hard Things is a very descriptive and appropriate title. If people aren't challenging you enough in your life, perhaps the book can fill in that lack. It's a direct challenge to teenagers to pray and to work... hard. It's a promotion of Christ's demand that we take up our crosses and follow Him.
It's a bit surprising that we Catholics can get rather lackadaisical about taking up our crosses, when we have so many examples of holy young people. St. Dominic Savio, who died at fifteen, fought valiantly to hold on to his baptismal innocence, was willing to stand up for Christ to people of all ages, willing to bear false accusations and punishment. St. Maria Goretti, who suffered a martyr's death at twelve years old for refusing to give up her purity. St. Tarcisius, who was martyred at twelve in defense of the Holy Eucharist. St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati... the list goes on and on.
We have so many examples before us. Sometimes we just need a little extra inspiration to follow in their footsteps.
Do Hard Things is wonderful inspiration. And the truly beautiful thing about the book is that it acknowledges that those big hard things aren't the only way in which we build character and serve God. In the tradition of St. Therese's Little Way, the book states that even those small, day-to-day tasks can be great things for the glory of God. It's not only a challenge to be open to going beyond your comfort zone and taking on large tasks and hard work, but a challenge to rethink those quiet, sometimes seemingly pointless, days at home.
I do have one quibble, which I especially feel bound to mention when recommending this book to young Catholic readers. I don't agree with the holding up of Martin Luther as a role model of 'do hard things.' I believe Luther had extraordinary potential, and the Church was in need of some reform. He obviously had the staunchness, motivation, and ability to gather a following that could have led to great things for Christ and the Church. His approach, however, seemed hardly founded on humility. Reform became revolt, and rather than try to repair the Church he chose to break away from it. It had devastating effects. The Church has been splintered since, and one can hardly say that it was a great moment in history.
Aside from this point, however, it is a book definitely worth reading. It is a challenge, an encouragement, and it's much needed these days.
Alex and Brett Harris have their own blog, The Rebelution.
Do Hard Things is a very descriptive and appropriate title. If people aren't challenging you enough in your life, perhaps the book can fill in that lack. It's a direct challenge to teenagers to pray and to work... hard. It's a promotion of Christ's demand that we take up our crosses and follow Him.
It's a bit surprising that we Catholics can get rather lackadaisical about taking up our crosses, when we have so many examples of holy young people. St. Dominic Savio, who died at fifteen, fought valiantly to hold on to his baptismal innocence, was willing to stand up for Christ to people of all ages, willing to bear false accusations and punishment. St. Maria Goretti, who suffered a martyr's death at twelve years old for refusing to give up her purity. St. Tarcisius, who was martyred at twelve in defense of the Holy Eucharist. St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati... the list goes on and on.
We have so many examples before us. Sometimes we just need a little extra inspiration to follow in their footsteps.
Do Hard Things is wonderful inspiration. And the truly beautiful thing about the book is that it acknowledges that those big hard things aren't the only way in which we build character and serve God. In the tradition of St. Therese's Little Way, the book states that even those small, day-to-day tasks can be great things for the glory of God. It's not only a challenge to be open to going beyond your comfort zone and taking on large tasks and hard work, but a challenge to rethink those quiet, sometimes seemingly pointless, days at home.
I do have one quibble, which I especially feel bound to mention when recommending this book to young Catholic readers. I don't agree with the holding up of Martin Luther as a role model of 'do hard things.' I believe Luther had extraordinary potential, and the Church was in need of some reform. He obviously had the staunchness, motivation, and ability to gather a following that could have led to great things for Christ and the Church. His approach, however, seemed hardly founded on humility. Reform became revolt, and rather than try to repair the Church he chose to break away from it. It had devastating effects. The Church has been splintered since, and one can hardly say that it was a great moment in history.
Aside from this point, however, it is a book definitely worth reading. It is a challenge, an encouragement, and it's much needed these days.
Alex and Brett Harris have their own blog, The Rebelution.
I'll have to see if I can find this book at the library. I have to agree with you about Luther - he really could have been another St. Francis, but unfortunately history played out differently. What many Christians don't know is that the reforms of the time weren't his original idea. The Church had begun trying to instill reforms before he was born, it just hadn't filtered down into the regular practices of the people yet. Often through history God raised up someone who would help the Church revive as a whole, and I think He was trying to do that with Luther. But He doesn't control people, they still have free will. Sadly, Luther's actions have had long lasting and serious consequences for the Unity of Christ's Mystical Body. Perhaps this is the reason He prayed his prayer for Unity in the gospel of John Chapter 17. I long for this prayer to be answered...
ReplyDeletePeace,
~Jenny
Clare, an excellent review! Many of my same thoughts on the book. I think your Catholic (yet not at all arrogant) angle is, of course, highly valuable!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review! I've been very interested in this book since I first heard about it, and I'm very glad to hear your thoughts on it.
ReplyDeleteI heartily agree with your thoughts on the book! It is filled with good sentiment and ideas, and (w/the exceptions of their remarks concerning Luther and 'monks in the mountains')is very inspirational!
ReplyDelete