Life, In Spite of Me

I am awake way too late tonight, but I could not go to bed until I finished reading the amazing story of Kristen Jane Anderson's life. As a mother to three young girls, her story is one that I needed to read.

I have been burdened so much lately about raising my children in a house that serves the Lord. A house that goes to God for wisdom and guidance. I want my girls to understand how much God loves them while they are young. I want their relationship with him to be so much more than church on Sunday mornings.

This story is one that everyone needs to read. Kristen talks of how real God became in her life. Her story helps you realize how real God is in our lives as well. This amazing woman has endured more than almost any of us will ever endure in our time on this earth. It took her a lot of pain and suffering to find peace. Now she has it and she gives all credit to God.

Her story is not easy to read. As a mother it hurts to read how she felt and what led her to the train tracks that day. I think of the pressures that teens face today and it scares me.

One verse in the book really stood out to me. It is in Proverbs 19:21, "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

God has a purpose in all of our lives, a plan that He has mapped out for us. We are all His masterpiece. He loves none any more or any less. He longs to have a deeper relationship with every one of us.

Life, In Spite of Me shows you how deep God's love is for us. Check out a summary of the book below.

I received this book from Litfuse Publicity to review. I am so thankful that I did.


After her fatal choice… extraordinary hope.

Kristen Anderson thought she had the picture perfect life until strokes of gray dimmed her outlook on life. Once a happy child, Kristen’s world darkened after three friends and her grandmother died within two years. Still reeling from these losses, she was raped by a friend she thought she could trust. She soon spiraled into a depression that didn't seem to have a bottom.

One January night, the seventeen-year-old made a decision: She no longer wanted to deal with the emotional pain that smothered her. She lay down on a set of cold railroad tracks and waited—for a freight train to send her to heaven…and peace.

Amazingly, Kristen survived her suicide attempt… but the 33 freight cars that ran over her severed her legs. Now she not only had to deal with depression; she also had to face the physical pain and life without legs.

But Kristen's story didn't end there. After her darkest days Kristen discovered a real purpose for living. Now, in her compelling book Life, In Spite of Me, Kristen shares her journey from despair to hope.

Includes letters from Kristen that share messages she wishes someone would have told her—when she was depressed and struggling with loss, shame from sexual abuse, and suicidal thoughts.

You can purchase a copy of the book here.