Book Review
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How Rape Brought a Girl from Misery to a Woman of Ministry
By Lavinia B. Masters
Reviewed By Tiffany Jackson
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| Book cover for Breathe Again. |
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Told best through the eyes of one woman, the journey from a sexual assault victim to a survivor unfolds in Breathe Again, How Rape Brought a Girl from Misery to a Woman of Ministry. With her first book, author Lavinia B. Masters reveals how she was resurrected from living a life of self-destruction after being raped at the tender age of 13 into a life of love and true healing.
The book begins with Masters’s comparing her story and her gift for helping others to the woman in Matthew 26:7-13 who owned an alabaster box filled with precious and priceless ointment. Unlike, the woman, Masters had to discover that she had a precious box. This book became her box and as readers begin to turn the pages, Masters pours out her heart about her struggle to become the woman she is today – a woman of power, a woman of God.
Breathe Again is truly an open-window to Masters’s life. She incorporates scriptures and events in the Bible to tell her story. Masters also uses poetry and family photos.
When asked why this was effective to tell her story Masters said, “I wanted people to be able to relate to my story so using family photos and scriptures helped. “And when it comes to poetry it just does something to me.”
With her vision in 2005 and her drive to complete such a heart-felt book, Masters contributes her 360-degree turn to her faith in God, her grandmother’s words in a dream, her loving husband and son and her inner self that said, “enough is enough.” Most importantly, her family never gave up on her and that is why she says she can smile again. Her scars have finally been healed.
She unveils her seven keys to unlocking empowerment as a way to help other victims move towards healing. The seven keys are as followed:
- You are not alone
- You should not be ashamed
- It was not your fault
- Learning to trust again
- Seek self motivation and inspiration
- Learning to forgive…. So that you may heal properly
- Exhale… go ahead, breathe again
“I want to let people know that they are no longer victims and that they do not need to be ashamed,” replied Masters. “I want people to begin their healing process. I want them to realize they are survivors and they can live fruitful and successful lives through the grace of God.”
Master’s also adds that she too used to be ashamed to share her story but today she visits different organizations and church groups to spread awareness. She is a S.A.R.T (Sexual Assault Response Team) member, a national spokesperson for RAINN, Speakers Bureau Representative for Denton County Friends of the Family, which a portion of her proceeds go to and a part of the Dallas Police Department SEACAP (Sexual Assault Cold Case Program) initiative. The SEACAP program helped to bring her attacker to the light after 20 years.
Once Masters was assured through a dream that her attacker was put away, she began to sleep better then when she heard about the new initiative, she was able to exhale.
“This book was very therapeutic,” said Masters. “I loved it. I was able to pour it all out. God allowed me to open up and share. I have been able to unclutter the trash.”
The torn little caterpillar has left her cocoon and has blossomed into a beautiful little butterfly. Now, Masters is making new plans for her future.
“I am currently promoting my book and I am also working on the SAVE (Sexual Abused Victims Empowerment) Ministry within my church to help raise awareness,” she said. “The organization has formed a bond with other organizations and we provide vouchers and information to those in need.”
This book is a perfect read for both victims and their families. Whether we realize it or not, we are all affected.
For more information on Lavinia Masters and sexual assault awareness, please email her at laviniadimples@peoplepc.com or laviniadimples @yahoo.com
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