Do Hard Things

Do Hard Things by Brett and Alex Harris was one of the best books I read during high school, and its concept has followed me through my college years. Following my first reading of it though, my dad made it his mission to think of hard things for me to do. One of the most unforgettable was his challenge that I go without my cellphone for the first month of college. Yes, that was a real thing. Each time he came to me with a new 'hard thing', I would cringe, whine, and then eventually acquiesce to his request. And then by the end of each challenge, I found myself going to him or calling him to say thank you. I always learned something valuable during those challenges, but mostly I learned that my dad loves me so much that he's willing to challenge me. He knows I can do better, and he cares enough to think of practical ways to push me in the right direction. 

Most recently, I had some friends discover that I am almost guaranteed to take on anything that I am challenged to do. One, I like proving that I can do things. Two, as stated above, my dad has now instilled a need within me to always try to do something hard or out of the ordinary. "I challenge you to not eat any of the freshly baked cookies out of the DC this week!" Displine-challenge accepted. "I challenge you to wear the same earrings with matching outfits for a whole week." Fashion-challenge accepted. "I challenge you to go without your car for a month." Challenge accep...Wait. What?

This challenge was neither from my friends nor from my dad.  It came from God the moment two weeks ago when He sent my car to a mechanic in need of an engine change. I wanted to whine and protest, but God doesn't really change His mind and car engines don't really fix themselves. So I prayed instead. And when I began to really talk to my Father, He began to show me once again that challenges are good. Just like my earthly dad, God was willing to test me because He loves me. He's molding me into someone better, a Christian that is striving to be more like His Son. 

No, my car is not fixed yet. I actually don't have any idea when it will be back in my possession. But you know, I'm okay with that. If it takes the rest of the semester to get my LeSabre back into his parking spot, that's perfect. I don't want that car back one second before God chooses to give it back to me. This is my hard thing for right now, and I've realized so much about my God already. So next time something hard comes up in your life, remember that challenges are good because growing is good. 

Do hard things. You'll be glad you did. 

m(r)