Loving Me First
Synopsis
Going from being tattered to triumphant, Santresa Marie’s transparency is the driving force of this challenging, spirit checking and heartfelt blueprint for “Loving Yourself First.” She shares her life experiences of sexual assault, depression, low self-esteem, self-hate, attempted suicide, dysfunctional relationships, and seeking love from every man but God; along with Biblical applications, to help others break the chains of bondage and learn to love themselves first. She recognizes that so many women are walking around existing instead of living.
In her introduction Santresa states, “Your heart is wounded beyond repair and the more it is subjected to hurt and pain, the more you create a barrier between it and everyone else. Now, the wall around your heart is so tall and impenetrable that not even you can get inside to see what is left of the warm, giving, and beautiful organ that once existed.” She speaks from experience and understands the power that one’s past has to keep them stuck and wondering why. Some of the chapters include, “The Superwoman Complex,” “The Cycle – Same Situation, Different Man,” and “Freedom – God’s Total Takeover.”
“Loving Me First is a product created out of love. It is my gift to you, to help free you from the things that bind you, preventing you from being the woman that God wants you to be.” It is clear that Santresa has a heart for women. A heart for them to walk in all God created them to be. A heart for them to learn to love themselves and the one that loves them most. Her direct, no nonsense approach is one of a Destiny Coach challenging women to take responsibility for where they are, to let go of what has them bound and to walk in the fullness of God. Santresa ends each chapter with specific scripture to give her readers a starting place, so they know that it is not just her talking to them; but God talking to them through her. She also includes a series of questions after some of the chapters to help readers think through their situation and get them that much closer to where they want to be.
Santresa stands firm on Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord,” plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (NIV). This promise from God is the driving force that reminds her that her past is not a punishment but positioning for the destiny God has for her. Santresa is walking with you and cannot wait for you to learn how to and declare that you love YOU first!
Bio
Born in Fort Hood, TX and raised in Camden, AR, Santresa M. Wilkins grew up in a blended family and learned what it was to be part of something greater than herself. Her journey was one filled with destruction and poor worldly choices she is a living testimony of BUT God and His power, grace, and mercy. She attended Harmony Grove High School and is a graduate of the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. She is a member of Connection International Ministries where she serves as the Music Director, musician, and helps lead praise and worship for the Praise Team.
Santresa began speaking and sharing her personal story in 2001 as an intern for the STAR Central program that focuses on sexual assault and relationship violence awareness at the University of Arkansas. Since then God has delivered her, restored her, and given her a voice in all the chaos that every woman can be free of whatever has them bound. In 2009, God began to reveal the blueprint for His purpose and destiny for her life. Santresa has an unyielding desire to see people, especially women, challenged and changed for the better. Because of this, Santresa founded Destined Daughters in September 2012 which focuses on revealing to women the woman God created them to be from the inside out and she hosted her first seminar in March 2013. Her purpose is one to challenge women, pull them out of their comfort zone, expose those “hidden” places, hold them accountable, and take them from being tattered to triumphant Her out of the box personality and no nonsense approach to life is personified from her demeanor to her personal style.
Whether it is sharing wisdom in blogs and on social media, or just encouraging those around her, Santresa is constantly pouring out to others what God has poured into her. She is a leader molded and called by God. She spends her personal time singing, writing, reading, traveling, spending time with her family and closest friends! Santresa resides in Camden, AR with her spunky seven year old daughter Sydnee M. Smith whom she is raising to be the dynamic woman God created her to be. Santresa lives every day on purpose and with purpose and is determined to fulfill every vision God placed inside of her.