Shaken: A Book Review

While this book could be beneficial for anyone to read, if you have teenage sons who are sports fans - this book is awesome!  Why?  They will read it!  And it's solid, faith-based teaching and encouragement.  I could buy them all sorts of spiritual books aimed at teenagers, but they would only get a passing glance.  Two of my boys have already read Tim Tebow's first book and enjoyed it, so I know they will give this one a try.  His writing is kid-tested and mother-approved ;)

Shaken: Discovering Your True Identity in the Midst of Life's Storms.  We all have disappointment and discouragement in our lives - even professional athletes.  In this book Tim shares some of his struggles in his sports career, such as getting cut from a few teams, and uses that platform to share how we can overcome our storms.  He also shares stories of other people who have inspired him.  I thought it was the perfect mix of sports, story, and teaching.  Enough football talk to engage my sports-oriented boys, but not too detailed for someone who could care less about the game.

Tim's story helps to give perspective on what it's like to be a professional athlete.  Right now my oldest son sees only the game and the money.  What he doesn't see is the risk of crushing disappointment, the fickle fans, and the struggle with remaining humble and grounded.  Everyone has highs and lows in their lives, but we can't let them define who we are.  That's the heart of this book.

I respect Tim for using his fame to make a difference in the world.  He has a foundation that is changing the lives of children, some of which we hear about in this book.  He does mission work in prisons and overseas, and he is sharing the message of hope with those who will listen.  Many of us don't have the same level of influence that fame provides, but he still encourages us to stand up and practice acts of kindness.  We can all make a difference.

Tim writes "I want my life to speak louder than a world record.  I don't just want to leave a legacy on the field.  I want to live off the field in a way that outlives me.  I want my love for God and for others to shine greater than an incredible comeback moment, a heavy gold trophy, or a handful of favorable headlines".  Thank you, Tim, for being bold enough to share your faith and set an example for these young men of mine.  You are leaving a legacy.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.