I've been broken. I know what it's like to feel shame at my weakness, to starve myself to be worthy, and to want to sleep forever. If I had to guess, I'd say you might be a bit broken too.
But being broken is not the worst thing. We can be mended. Our cracks can become beautiful. We can be even better than new.
This collection of essays focuses on the struggle of living with anxiety and depression, and how to also live with grace and faith in the midst of darkness. It is raw and honest, and does not provide any easy answer or gloss over the pain. It is a narrative of struggle, but also of prayer, of hope, and of rescue.
There's an honesty in Anna's words that draws you in and makes you want to keep reading. Each section - while seemingly unrelated - flows in such a way to weave a story about healing and having the strength to get up each day. Anna mentions several times about being "enough" and being worthy. I think that's something we can all relate to. Of knowing we have God's love and don't have to do a thing to earn it. We just accept it. There's one line that stands out to me: "This is the great challenge: to be seen, accepted, and loved, I must first reveal, offer, and surrender." And I think there's great truth in that. We don't like to be vulnerable because we don't want others to think less of us. But it's through that vulnerability that we allow others to truly see us. Anna allows herself to truly be seen in Mended. Overall, I liked this book! It was a quick read but one to be savored; not rushed.
I received a copy of this book for my honest review.
