I saw her pass by as I sat at my computer.  She was moving at her usual pace, a familiar figure making her way through the neighborhood on her daily walk.  It was then that it hit me; I am a fair weather walker.  I know this because I am watching her walk from inside my home when normally I would be out there walking at this time.  But today is rainy, windy and cold; not optimal conditions in my view.  I may think of myself as a walker, but now I have to face the facts – I walk only if the conditions are right.  I am a fair weather walker.

My friend made me realize this about myself because she is NOT a fair weather walker; she is a walker for all weathers just as she is a friend for all seasons.  (she would make a great mail carrier, seeing as how that’s their motto and all, neither rain nor snow nor ??? shall keep me from my appointed rounds)

We have all had them – fair weather friends (not to be confused with our feathered friends)  And much to our shame we have probably all been those kind of friends at one time or another in our lives as well.  There is certainly no shortage of fair weather sports fans out there, just ask the Colts or the Cubs, or any sports team for that matter.  Their fans seem to disappear when they are losing games, only to mysteriously reappear when they are winning again.

During the down times, the losing seasons –  the true fans, the faithful fans are revealed.  It is that way with friendship too.  In the tough times our fair weather friends are no where to be found, while our faithful friends walk with us closer than ever, sometimes even carrying us.  Proverbs 17:17 says it best, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

Jesus experienced the fair weather friend phenomenon during His time here on earth. Jesus had plenty of friends. Large crowds followed Him wherever He went, as long as He was healing the sick, raising the dead and feeding the five-thousand. But the cries of the crowd turned from hosanna to “crucify Him” in an instant. Even the disciples of Jesus scattered when Jesus was arrested.  Peter famously denied that he knew Jesus three times.  The faithful followers of Jesus had all become fair weather friends.  The climate had changed and they no longer walked with Jesus. Indeed they deserted Him and denied their friendship with Him.

Fortunately for me and for you, dear readers, God doesn’t desert us when we go through tough times.  “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”  (Psalm 23:4)

“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Yes, God is not a fair weather kind of Heavenly Father.  Quite the opposite is true! He sticks by me even when I turn away from Him.  “If we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.”  (2 Timothy 2:13)

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands.”  (Deuteronomy 7:9)

I may be a fair weather walker but my Heavenly Father is not a fair weather kind of a father at all.  He is with me through every season, every storm, every hurdle and every heartache.

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:20)

sincerely,                  Grace Day