On the Path to Holiness

My first encounter with Reform was on social media. “Interesting,” I  thought.  

I have been a fitness professional my entire adult life, and my health has always been a priority. I am disciplined with my workouts. I have learned to cook healthy food for myself and my family. I  have certifications and degrees to prove I know how to live a healthy life.

Despite all that, why did I still seem to struggle to meet my health and fitness goals? Why was I so tired, so crabby and short-tempered? Why did I have intestinal discomfortand chronic pain in my body? I was doing “all the things.” I had tried different nutritional programs, read books, met with nutritionists and physical therapists. I still didn’t feel complete. 

I had my faith, but that seemed to run parallel to my health endeavors. I was slowly growing in my faith, thanks to praying the rosary daily. What I didn’t realize was that Mary was leading me down a path that would help me grow closer to her Son.  

First, Mary led me to SoulCore, which helped me embrace my faith on a much deeper level. Being a part of the SoulCore community exposed me to people who taught me more about the Catholic faith. It was a social media post that SoulCore shared that led me to Reform. 

I had the opportunity to listen to Jackie talk about Reform, and the lightbulb clicked. It was the spark that I needed to put all the pieces together. After listening to her, I knew I needed to sign up for Reform.  

I participated in Reform’s summer course. It was exactly what I needed. Reform taught me that, by putting Christ in the center of my life, my pursuit of whole-person health would be easier because I had a true purpose. Taking care of my body is what Christ wants me to do, and He doesn’t want me to neglect my needs; if I take care of myself, I can serve Him and those around me. It’s no longer about me, but rather about serving Him, and that has made all the difference. 

For years, I was “busy.” I was extremely disciplined with exercise and I  obsessed about what I would eat and my weight. My mood for the day depended on what the scale told me in the morning. I was either being  “good” by eating healthy and exercising, or “bad” by over-indulging and punishing myself with extra workouts.  

Reform taught me that Jesus would never treat me the way I was treating myself. He cares for me tenderly and wants me to listen to my body and what it needs day to day. Instead of pushing through, I now stop and pay attention. He has shown me how important it is for me to keep a balance between exercise and nutrition with sleep and rest and play. 

By doing this, I have a peace and joy that I want to share with others. I’m more patient with myself and therefore more patient with those around me. Who would have thought that, for me to be kind to others, I need to be kind to myself? When Jesus is the center of my life, I am more accepting of myself and others. I am joyful. I want nothing more than to share this joy I have so that everyone can see Christ’s light shining through me. I can only do it with His help, and Reform has shown me that. 

I am by no means an end product. I continue to learn and grow. It’s no longer about finishing this or that health challenge with the end being a promise of a  “new you.” This is a path to holiness that is a work in progress. I will keep Christ at the center of my life, and with His loving guidance, I will take each day as it comes and keep my focus on HIm.

Christina D.

Omaha, NE