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RESERVE — Most people suffer in silence, and there are countless individuals living their lives with open wounds, according to Eliza Eugene, founder of local nonprofit Blessed to Be a Blessing. Eugene’s debut novel, “God Exposed Me to Me,” urges readers to turn pain into purpose by confronting the person in the mirror.

Blessed; leader; ordained; college graduate — The words that describe Eugene’s life today were far from her reality growing up with a single mother in the Reserve Housing Development. Through her teenage and young adult years, the list looked more like this: asset-limited; teen mom; victim.

In “God Exposed Me to Me: Healing the Little Girl Inside of Me,” Eugene reflects on her journey to overcome mental, physical and sexual abuse. She tells the story of finding out who her biological father was at 16 years old and tragically losing her brother to murder. She speaks on domestic violence, the dissolution of her marriage, and the pain of breaking off an engagement as she prepared to marry again.

“It’s an inspirational memoir to inspire and encourage youth, adults, men and women. No matter how many times they fall or whatever they have gone through, with faith in God, they can overcome it,” Eugene said. “In the times we’re living in, I felt it was necessary for me to tell my story. So many kids and adults are hurting. Sometimes when they know what someone else has been through and can see the end result, it can inspire them to say, ‘If she can do it, I can do it.’”

While the book was released in January 2020, Eugene’s journal entries date back to January 2008. The push to finish the book came in June 2019, after she organized a brunch that gave 50 women a platform to talk openly about depression, anxiety, losing a loved one and domestic violence. Eugene saw pieces of her own story in the testimonies of every woman in the room, and she realized no person who walks through trials walks alone.

“What I’ve been through is somebody else’s story also,” Eugene said. “I want to inspire them to not give up, and to know that someone else has walked a mile in their shoes. In June, I knew I had to write that book, close that chapter in my life, and begin to create a platform to empower others.”

One of Eugene’s life-changing moments came when she was in high school at East St. John. She was 15 and pregnant, soon to become teen mom just like her mother and grandmother. Longtime educator Beverly Harris brought her into an office and showed her a wall of photos.

“All of the girls on that wall had gotten pregnant a second time within a year,” Eugene said. “I said no, not me, I’ve learned my lesson.”

A year and a half later, Eugene found herself on that wall.

“That, to me, was life-changing,” Eugene said. “I realized that she was wise, and I needed to take heed to it and let her know her words did not fall on deaf ears. I was able to turn that situation around and turn pain into purpose.”

Harris remains close to her today, and she wrote the foreword in Eugene’s book.

“God Exposed Me to Me” can be ordered through Amazon, Barnes & Noble or elizaeugene.com. Paperbacks are $15.99, and an e-book version is available for Kindle for $8.99.

Eugene will be at Roussel’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts in LaPlace from noon to 8 p.m. Feb. 8 for her first book signing. Books will be available for purchase onsite.

Eugene has also published a monthly spiritual planner and journal called “I Can’t Quit.” For more information, visit elizaeugene.com.