Lenten Reading List: Update 2

"Where the Roots Reach the Water: A Personal & Natural History of Melancholia" by Jeffery Smith

i enjoyed this book. i read some parts more completely than others. smith shares his story of dealing with depression, but it is laced with technical research and historical commentary. the most interesting part of this book is smith's eventual conversion to christianity & his perception of melancholia or depression. smith comes to see his melancholia as a part of his personality, his make-up. he shares historical research that shows that society has realized that depressed people are uniquely gifted and hindered by their characteristics (just like any other personality trait). i think this is a good word in our hypermedicated society. too often our goal (especially in school) is to get all of our kids to a level of energy and attention that is acceptable or manageable. however, this is not always in the best interest of the kids. society use to find the niche for the hyperactive kid, the depressed kid, etc. there was a place for them to use their gifts. the standard of normalcy wasnt always raised. good thoughts on the place of medication in our lives. and how God can use all things (depression included) to work his purposes.