The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net 

Molestation, neglect and homosexuality are just some of the topics Melissa Pratt addresses in her new book “Broken”, which gives a candid look at some of the ordeals the Bahamian author had to overcome in her life.

She admits that it was not easy to reveal some of the skeletons in her closest, but she found the courage to do so anyway in hopes of inspiring others who may find themselves without hope.

Mr Pratt said she wants readers to be inspired by her candidness when it comes to discussing her hardships.

“The book ‘Broken’ is about a path filled with many hurdles that I had to learn to overcome from. ‘Broken’ shares my numerous encounters from dealing with my parents’ divorce and neglect, to molestation, pornography, lesbianism, unemployment and single motherhood. Needless to say, from a child these events dampened my spirit and diminished my self-confidence and self-value. To add to my troubles, my mom kicked me out of the house when I tried to head to church. Every time my life seemed to look up, another dark cloud appeared. To say that my life was a hard one would be an unwarranted understatement,” she said. 

“ ‘Broken’ ultimately captures the journey of having to choose between “living an imperfect life and serving a perfect God with my life.” 

Ms Pratt said she was raised in a broken home “filled with lust, porn, confusion, hate, anger, divorce, molestation.”

And because of all of that I could not focus in class and started to look for love in all the wrong places by dating older men, allowing them to abuse me physically and mentally. Then I got adapted to having sexual intercourse with women. I was so lost and could not find my way, until I gave my life to God. That’s where I found my true self. I found strength and I listened to hear God speak,” she said. 

After paying a visit to a local church, Ms Pratt said she was given a vision in a dream telling her to write a book. Though a difficult task, Ms Pratt said she kept the purpose of the book in the mind while writing – to encourage people who may be going through a similar challenges.  

“God met me while I was in a devastating state. Through all of my mess and bad decisions, He still chose to pluck me up from where I was and make me a part of his family. God is so amazing and his love is truly unfathomable. He loves us and chases after us even when we do not love him. I lived without thinking of how my living was affecting my maker, and I believe that this is the reason I went through so much pain in my younger years. God was calling me to be someone who would testify on His behalf,” she said.

“Yes, I went through things no young woman should, but everything is for a reason. If we all live with that notion in mind, we will be more content with where we are in life. God wants all of us to become a part of his family. He loves us when we are at our lowest. He loves us when we don’t love Him. I’ve come to understand that and have accepted His love instead of chasing after the love of men, family and anyone else. God is everything to me now and I’m now chasing after Him.

“I want to encourage someone today who was brought up in a broken home. I want you to seek God and put Him first in everything you do. Once you do that, you would be able to give Him all of your broken pieces and He will shape you, mould you and mend you into someone you never thought you would have become.”

While some may question why Ms Pratt chose to be so open about the ordeals in her life, the author said she believes there are too many broken people out there that need to be uplifted.

If her story of triumph can change the life of just one person, Ms Pratt said her writing will not have been in vain. 

“There are so many broken people around the world who need guidance as to how they should live their life, and it all starts in the home. I truly believe that this book would do well in the government schools to help our children to stay focus and to get help if needed,” she said.

“My plan is to continue to find ways to help people and guide them so that they will not fall into the same traps that I did while I was growing up. I will no longer live life without totally depending on God. Success in this journey will only come through God. I cannot and will not turn back; God has been too good to me. I deny anything from existing in my life that does not sustain my value. When I gave my life to Him, my lifestyle began to align with my value. My image and appearance now reflects my value. I released myself from habits, mindsets and behaviours that did not improve my value, and I only communicate and flourish in those environments that contribute to my value,” she said. 

Ms Pratt said she is now in the process of writing her second book.