Fair Weather is for Sissies!

Years ago, as a private pilot, I only piloted the airplane if the skies were clear and winds were light. They called me a “fair weather” pilot. I know – sissy-girl attitude, but I preferred easy-going to my destination with a trouble-free landing.

That’s why I was partial to being the co-pilot for my “any weather” husband who was confident, yet cautious, in just about any weather. He loved the challenge of prevailing winds and figuring out his course of action. The more challenging the landing, the more accomplished he became as a pilot.

In sports, the term “fair weather fans” refers to those who have some interest in the team, but they want nothing to do with them when tough times occur. As soon as the team starts to turn things around and starts winning, they act as if they been there through thick and thin.

I am an any weather fan when it comes to my Dallas Cowboys! Rain or shine — I’ve been loyal more than 55 years. I am typing this blog at the game end of the Cowboys versus the Buccaneers. Final score: Dallas 31 – Tampa Bay 14. My prayers and shout-outs left me hoarse. Couldn’t help myself.

This is the team that we cheered for when they just became a franchise in the 60s. This team is why we put a 15 ft antenna on our roof so we could see the game when it was a black out for home games.

So here I am. The morning after. The Cowboys won this one. It was their first road playoff win since 1992 season! Sweet victory! Oh the highs and lows, ups and downs, fair weather and foul weather of watching our teams play. The celebrations when we’re up and the pits in the stomach when we’re losing.

I wonder: “Is it worth it to get all caught up in favorite teams and their games? Wouldn’t it be a better option to be a “Fair Weather Sports Fan” and a “Fair Weather Pilot”? No risks, no worries, safe zones, easy-going, no need for Rolaids, and just be able to live life in the comfort zone of “going with the flow”? But, then again, what a shame it would be to miss potential records being set, our teams winning THE BIG ONE, and being a co-winner with them!

And, about life — if you’ve never taken a risk and failed, you’ve never lived on the edge! I’ll never forget “the big one” that my husband and I “bet the farm” on. It was our BIG RISK.

But that time — it was not to be — it was a DRY well. Disappointed? Yes! Was it a huge risk? Yes! Did it stop us? No! We never quit on taking risks, and I sincerely believe that is one of the reasons why our family has met with many successes. Plenty of failures along the way — but it never stopped us from trying again.

Have you failed at something you so wanted to win at? Did others scorn you for taking a risk…..and, indeed, it was a loser? Have you wished you could step out in faith and become adventurous, but you kept hearing voices that said, “Give up!” “Throw in the towel!” “It’s too risky!” “You could lose everything!” “Play it safe!”

Even the best-laid plans don’t always work out! That’s a reality we face every day. So how should we live when we’re not sure how things are going to turn out? We can live confidently because we have a “No limits” God.

We may get sweaty palms, indigestion, and even some bumps and bruises, but then we remind ourselves, God knows the outcome of the weather so we might as well throw our hands up in the air and enjoy the thrills that await us on this exciting ANY weather ride with our ALL Weather Supreme Pilot!!

“Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” Ephesians 3:20