Obedient With an Attitude

“Little Sarah, sit your behind down. Right this minute!”

The seven-year-old girl pretended she didn’t hear her grandmother.

“Sarah!” the grandmother repeated. “Sit down right now!”

My reaction when God said I was like "Little Sarah"

Sarah sighed dramatically, crossed her arms over her chest, and looked her grandmother dead in the eye.

“Okay Grandma. You’ll see me sitting down, but just know on the inside — I will be standing up!”

Recently, a campus pastor shared this story at church and I couldn’t help but laugh. But while everybody else was chuckling, I felt the Holy Spirit gently whisper:

“Kacie…you are Little Sarah.”

Whew.

How many times have I obeyed God outwardly while inwardly rolling my eyes?

How many times has God asked me to do something and I technically obeyed…while still carrying an attitude in my heart?

Who else obeys God with a whole lot of sighing?

We do what He says, but we do it irritated.

Frustrated.

Got a whole attitude about it.

“Yes Lord… but also… why?”

By now, I’m probably known as the writer who always brings up food.

Yes sisters. It is me.

Well, this year God has me on a special meal plan. So special that meat has been completely eliminated. And while I appreciate the health benefits and spiritual discipline

A vegetarian concoction. Truthfully, I just throw stuff together and...voila! It ends up tasting pretty good. (Endamame, quinoa, egg whites, onions)

behind it, if I’m honest? I still have a little ‘tude about it.

An attitude, that is.

Addiction runs in my family. Emotional eating does too. And over the years, God has shown me that my obedience will break generational chains in my family.

About twelve years ago, I felt God leading me to put beef and pork on the altar. That sacrifice wasn’t too painful because I still had turkey and the sweet gospel bird of chicken.

Then two years ago, I felt led to stop eating turkey and chicken and move toward a pescatarian diet. Shrimp. Fish. Crab. I was still eating good.

But at the end of last year, I felt a strong nudge from the Lord to go vegetarian.

Ugh.

Friends, I tossed and turned at night.

I journaled furiously.

I negotiated with God like I was trying to close a million dollar business deal.

“Lord… surely You didn’t mean to give up ALL meat?”

Giving it up felt really hard because my husband is part-carnivore and I grew up with a family that purchase a half cow most years. How could I not eat any meat?

And then I remembered the title of a book I wrote years ago: Loving God More Than Food.

Gulp.

Ya'll its nothing like your own book title preaching back to you.

Could it be that God was taking me higher?

Could it be that He wanted to break another layer of dependence on food, comfort, and cravings?

Could it be that He wanted me to lean on Him more than I leaned on the appetite of my flesh?

So here I am. Obedient AND vegetarian.

And some days…ticked off about it.

I know it sounds ridiculous because God has been unbelievably good to me. He has saved me, forgiven me, protected me, and carried me through some wacky, hard seasons.

He and I have history together.

A track record of Him being faithful in every and any season…and yet somehow I was still looking at God like:

“Did You really have to come for my salmon too? Why couldn’t my diet be just left alone. I don’t drink, I don't smoke… can you just let me have my food?”

But despite my attitude, I know God is doing something amazing in my life.

He is teaching me discipline.

He is teaching me how to surrender.

He is teaching me how to submit to Jesus not only as Savior — but as Lord.

And Lord means He gets access to everything.

Everythang....even my food.

Hi, my name is Kacie Starr Long. I am an author, and speaker and I love to use my voice to point people to Jesus. When I'm not writing, I'm either hanging out with my husband or sewing. God delivered me from food addiction and I have a sewing ministry, called the Sew Hope . I am the proud wife of Alfred T. Long, Sr and together we lead a non-profit that provides services for those battling substance abuse and those impacted by incarceration. Connect with me at www.InspiredOverflow.com and via my YouTube page for Christian teachings and encouragement.

PS Friends: I've recently published a NEW book called War On the Floor. This book is for those with a loved one who is deep in addiction. It's a collection of prayers to help you remain focused and strengthened as you believe God for breakthrough. There is truly power in prayer! Order your copy today.