Book Review: Made Good
βThe world doesnβt need what women have, it needs what women are.β - Attributed to St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross
God made you good.
Satan attacks that truth, particularly with women and their bodies and health. We as women often find ourselves caught in one of two extreme camps when it comes to our health.
We may find ourselves undereating and over exercising while following trends to fit into the βperfectβ body. Or, we forsake our health altogether in the name of service to others or by resigning ourselves, saying this is βjust who I am.β Neither extreme is good or healthy; both have devastating consequences for our bodies and souls.
Bringing together Scripture, Church Teaching, and womenβs health research, Florencia Moynihanβs βMade Goodβ finds the center ground where caring for both our bodies and souls is good and holy. Moynihan gently but firmly points to the Churchβs teaching that we are a "composite" δΈ both body and soul δΈ and to forsake one or the other is not how God designed us (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2516). She dismantles the lies and beliefs that the body is at war with women; rather speaking the truth that womenβs bodies are good and reflect Godβs love and goodness.
To dismantle the lies about our bodies and health, we need to know whose we are: beloved daughters of God, the Father. How do we do this? Moynihan starts with the basic foundations of our Catholic faith: prayer, Scripture, and the Sacraments (Confession and the Eucharist). We need to hear the voice of our Father and Creator saying we are good, our bodies are good, our souls are good. He did not make us to live either in survival or thriving mode, but to live in abundance by abiding in Him (John 15:4).
Womenβs Bodies are Good
Women are not small men (Moynihan, p. 94).
Men and women are created with equal dignity, but are different. We as women do not have to hide behind this fact. Rather, we can boldly claim through faith and research that we are different from men. We do not have to be ashamed of our cycles, have the βperfectβ body, or keep up with men. Our bodies are good.
Moynihan presents research δΈ sprinkled with faith δΈ that food is nourishment, creating a sleep schedule is critical, and our cycles will tell us how our body is functioning. When we see our bodies as good and care for them, we can fully live out our big βVβ vocation of holiness in the life that God, our Father, designed us for.
How to Read the Book
βMade Goodβ is a personal retreat guiding you through the lies and beliefs about our bodies and health. At the end of each chapter, there is a Scripture passage, prayer, and some reflection questions to help you process the material and your emotions.
Give yourself the space and time to go through the book, and then have it close by as you work to change and implement habits for better well-being. Also, give yourself grace as you read the book and change your habits. Itβs not changing your entire life overnight, but making small changes, whether in mindset or in behaviors, little by little.
The small changes I am making are creating a sleep schedule and going on morning walks.
What kind of woman do you want to be?
Moynihan asks this question at the beginning, encouraging readers to sit and reflect on who you want to be now and who you want to be at the end of your life. She ties the question back to God, who made us good and whose plans are better than we can imagine. Furthermore, caring for your health allows you to live more freely as Godβs beloved daughter.
The kind of woman I want to be is joyful, generous, and kind. Reading this book helped me on that path.
Alexandra (Alex) Harrel resides in Irving, Texas. She is a new student affairs professional within the world of higher education. In her spare time, she loves reading, embroidery, listening to podcasts, and spending time outdoors. Her favorite prayer is Hail, Holy Queen.