Happy October 1st, Vegans or Not, Everywhere!

I was awakened this morning by the glorious sound of Fall rain which I call “A beautiful day in the neighborhood”! Except for Austin, TX where the heat has flourished in the upper 90s, this rain tells me it’s time to get out our sweaters and light jackets! The glorious Autumn days are just ahead! Oh, and the sumptious aromas of pumpkin spice candles and the yummy taste of pumpkin spice coffee! And, bring on the harvest fruits, vegetables and grains that represent life and abundance!

With a little research, I found out that today, October 1st, is World Vegetarian Day – the annual kick-off of Vegetarian Awareness Month. As recommended by vegetarian enthusiasts: “Make a difference this October by informing others about the benefits of vegetarianism. You will be helping to create a better world because a vegetarian diet has proven health benefits, saves animals’ lives, and helps to preserve the Earth.”

I’m a vegetarian for a few weeks during Lent when I use the Daniel Fast guidelines of only whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. I’ll admit that I become a hearty vegetarian enthusiast during that time. Then there’s my youngest grandson who went vegan for seven months. He was fully committed — especially when his dad, who loves a good steak or hamburger, could’t tempt him. Bryson persevered. No one could talk him out of it. He couldn’t imagine eating one of his chickens or any of his other animals. That is, until the day when he had an apparent awakening. I picked him up from school and he asked me to stop at P. Terry’s Burgers. I thought he was getting a veggie burger, but no, he wanted the real deal. You see in this photo how he devoured it with these words following: “Oh, God! What was I thinking? This is the best thing I’ve ever eaten had in my life!” Nana’s uncontrollable laughter ensued!

This blog isn’t to persuade anyone, one way or another except to be the best version of yourself that you can be. Do you! Follow YOUR calling! And it sure helps us to get counsel and wisdom from our Great Counselor Who promised He would lead us in the paths of righteousness – right doing and right thinking and right eating! More than the foods we eat, how about the focus of our lives to be the things we seek, think and speak? About this time of year, it’s natural to gravitate to realizing how blessed we are. Sure, there may be all kinds of reasons to grumble and complain like someone who I was speaking to yesterday. They were on a roll about the evils of social media, how immoral they are and how they collect endless amounts of data from us, and why they will never be a part of that community again. Obviously, I can speak about this person here because, duh, they’re no longer on social media.

I flipped that discussion around when I said: “Not me. Those platforms are my mission field. ‘What the enemy means for evil, God always turns it for good!’ (Genesis 50:20) I’m going to use whatever platform I can to talk about the love of Jesus and as long as they allow me to keep doing that, I’m still going to be a light in the darkness!”

As I spoke about “flipping the script” a few days ago, may we enter into this October amped up with gratitude. I know that sometimes the most difficult times we walk through can feel like captivity to our hearts and minds. And if you are there today, be assured that God is with you and leading you through. Even if you can’t see how the whole story will unfold, His plans for us are good. He gives hope and purpose. May we choose to thank Him today that He will turn our struggles around for good. I pray that He will use it as a blessing in your life and for many others to know of His power and great love.

Here’s to a blessed and beautiful season of harvest, gratitude and thanksgiving! Happy and blessed October to you and yours!