Plant-Based Jesus?

First of all, I need to tell you that my chronic anxiety VANISHED the minute I made the decision to become a vegan again.

There I was, all curled up in the fetal position in my bed, ruminating about all of the horrific things that could possibly happen to my family.

Nightmares.

I'd drift off to sleep for a minute but even as I slept, the anxious scenarios played out in my mind.

I couldn't turn it off.

OK God, please forgive me. I'll go back to being a vegan.

POOF!!!!!!!!!! Anxiety gone.

Instantly.

I slept like a baby for hours. Unheard of. Completely a huge gift.

And here's the thing. The last time I complied with all of the VEGAN signs I saw (everywhere I went, there were vegan bumper stickers, vegan restaurants, vegan jewelry), I woke up after eating plant-based the day before with a PEACE I'd never known.

Like a PEACE that rested in my belly like a warm internal blanket.

After I experienced a few dizzy spells, probably from eating too much processed vegan food (Beyond Burgers seemed to be a particular problem) and I convinced myself to go back to meat.

And...immediately welcomed back torment.

So here I am today. Day 2 of being back to plant-based. Oh, the peace is back!! It's back I tell you! And the joy! I'm laughing spontaneously. I feel a oneness with my fellow man.

I'm keeping track of the miracles. I have to or I'll forget.

This morning, as I was getting ready to leave for work (with a stop at the bank), I suddenly couldn't stop thinking about a woman who used to work at the bank. She was my favorite and she'd left to pursue a job at the local United Way. She was pregnant now (saw her post on Instagram) and suddenly I longed to connect with her. I figured I'd message her and ask to see her.

I walked into the bank and could not believe my eyes. There she was!!! Vanessa was sitting at her desk, radiantly beautiful and five months pregnant. I couldn't help but practically yell and give her a big hug!! She told me her miracle of doctors telling her she'd never be able to have a baby and that she tried four pregnancy tests (including two dollar store tests...and all came back positive) until she really believed she was pregnant!! Coincidentally, they found out on Easter Sunday that they were expecting. (I said--that's a resurrection story for sure!)

She also said that not five minutes after she got home from the store, a drunk neighbor came around the corner and plowed into her parked car.

Seconds and inches. God was totally watching out for her.

I  come to work and just now, I'm in the kitchen and I run into a new coworker. His name is Miguel and here's the thing, I would have ignored him before (not out of anything negative towards him, but I would have had what my boss calls "conversation anxiety") or maybe limped out a "hi".

Miguel shared how he and his family had moved up from Los Angeles, where he had a daily 6-hour commute. We talked about the importance of family and that spending that much time in the car wasn't worth it.

It was a truly wonderful exchange and he thanked me for interrupting his flow.

I have no idea what God is doing, except that He has a plan and a lot of it involves obedience and not having other gods before Him.

Not tons of grilled chicken or food plans but an individual relationship with Him. He leads and guides and we follow.

More to come. Thanks for listening. I'm excited about this journey, can you tell?