(This is part of item 5 on my 2011-2012 Resolving Life Posts)
I am was addicted.
I especially love Sonic's Vanilla Dr Peppers with Extra Vanilla. (Yes, it's capitalized like a title, because it is a title...the title of my most favorite drink ever! - A big shout out to Sarah S. for the introduction!)
I even had a neighbor once (Jen), who knew a Sonic manager in GA, and he mailed me some vanilla syrup! Seriously. (Sonic's is better than anywhere else. Don't ever get vanilla syrup at McDonald's. Just sayin'.)
Ok, so the addiction. is was real, people.
I had gotten to the point where I would pray for God to help me be strong. I'd also begun trying to sneak it in with my breakfast before Matt found out so I could also have it another time (or two. or three.) during the day without being judged. I did Weight Watchers in 2008, and I planned my daily points around my 8 oz. of Dr Pepper and splurged my extra points on refills. Who does that?!?!?
Anyway, back in June last year - Father's Day, to be exact - there was an issue I was praying about. I had prayed on and off for a LONG time (not sure how long, but at least 9 to 10 months, maybe more), and I just wasn't getting results. I know God is sovereign over everything and He knows best, but really, by my calculations, there was no reason why the issue shouldn't have been in His will, and therefore answered favorably.
So anyway, I began bargaining. Because that's what you do when you want your way with God. You bargain. Right? How logical.
Moving on...I began bargaining. I promised to pray about it every day (it was actually kind of a group of stuff, just to be clear, but one primary issue). I even set my alarm to go off at the same time every day so I'd remember to pray.
I just didn't have a peace that God was going to go on and do His part in the situation, though, so I didn't feel like daily prayer was enough. So...I made Him a deal. (Are you laughing yet? You TOTALLY should be!)
I told God I would give up Dr Pepper until he answered my prayer(s).
(Please take a moment to reflect on the absurd things I posted at the beginning of this post. This was a HUMONGOUS thing. This was like the ULTIMATE sacrifice - daily - for me.)
In fact, I told God I wouldn't drink soda any more at all until things were resolved. My only escape clause was if I had an awful stomach ache - then I would have Sprite or something - trust me...I have zero addiction to Sprite.
At that moment, I'm pretty sure I heard an audible laugh (kind of annoyed, too) from heaven.
Seriously? God sacrificed Himself. His Only Son. By DYING. On a CROSS. For me.
And to get my way, I'm graciously fasting from SODA? I have had issues! God basically said, "That's fine. You give up your Dr Pepper and all, but does it ever occur to you that if that's your ultimate sacrifice then you have serious problems? My Son died on a cross so you could give up your Dr Pepper for me? Why is your FIRST thought in the morning how to get a Dr Pepper into your system without your husband noticing? Why isn't it praising me or meditating on Scripture, or ANYTHING else? You're messed up. Thanks for the offer. Go ahead. But you have issues."
*Cough. (Again, feel free to judge. I understand. And laugh. But, if you know me, you also know that the giving up Dr Pepper thing, as ridiculous as it was, was QUITE ginormous. FYI.)
Anyway, fast forward a few months.
The primary issue I had been praying for (as well as several others) have been resolved favorably. I'm still waiting to hear on the last few.
As far as Dr Pepper...even when all the prayers are finally answered, I'm not sure I'll want to step back into that minefield too quickly. As dumb as it was, it held serious sway over my life.
Tomorrow, I'll tell you what I've learned since then.
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