In the late 1980s, renowned pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock found himself on the cusp of an unwelcome turning point. A looming health crisis signaled by a disturbing episode in a hotel lobby threatened to irreversibly change his life. On this consequential day, Dr. Spock collapsed unexpectedly. It wasn’t just an ordinary faint — it was a direct consequence of underlying health conditions, atrial fibrillation and arteriosclerosis, which had been quietly lurking in the shadows. Now in his nineties, he was suffering from chronic bronchitis and a progressive loss of leg coordination. Would this be the final act for a man who had dedicated his life to promoting health?
Fortunately, fate had a different script. A fortuitous encounter with a macrobiotic counselor opened a fresh chapter in his understanding of nutrition: a plant-based diet that emphasized whole grains, vegetables and legumes while discouraging the consumption of meat, poultry and dairy. This new approach gave Dr. Spock a ray of hope amidst the bleak clouds of despair. Dr. Spock and his wife Mary made the courageous choice to embark on this lesser-traveled path in their dietary journey.
This brave decision brought forth astounding outcomes. Dr. Spock, teetering on the edge of a debilitating health crisis, experienced a dramatic transformation. He shed 50 pounds in a mere three months and his health started to markedly improve. This shift wasn’t a fleeting one, either — it became Dr. Spock’s new health standard.
“Or do you not know that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” — 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
SPIRITUAL THOUGHT
The book of Daniel serves as a testament to the transformative power of a plant-based diet. Daniel and his friends chose vegetables and water over the king’s rich foods and wine, resulting in noticeable improvements in their health (Daniel 1). Dr. Spock’s journey highlights this biblical wisdom, illustrating how a transition to plant-based nutrition can help fend off disease and restore health.
MY PRAYER
Lord, we are grateful for the abundant nourishment you have blessed us with. Guide us in our dietary choices so that we can eat the best foods possible. Help us honor our bodies, your sacred temples, by nurturing them properly. Grant us the wisdom and determination to embrace a healthy lifestyle for ourselves and those we love. Amen.
