Fair Weather Fans

We took the kids to their first NFL Game yesterday...we were lucky enough to receive 4 GREAT tickets from one of Joe's vendors. We suited up in our Panther's gear, tailgated, walked around the whole stadium...basically trying to give them the whole experience.

The shot you see above is from early in the 3rd quarter...all the blue you see represents empty seats. Do you see how many people either didn't show up or left early? Fair weather fans is what I call them...

When I originally took the picture I was trying to post it to Facebook with a comment about how being from NY this is not what I am used to...Jets or Giants could be 0-15 and the seats would still be full...and you would have paid good money for the 0-15 team. For some reason it never uploaded.

This morning it hit me why...there is more to it. What God placed on my heart this morning was...how many of us are fair weathered in other area's of our lives?

In our marriages/relationships are we only happy and "in love" when things are going exactly as we think they should? Are we willing to put in the time and effort necessary to make it work - make it through till the end?

Are we fair weathered friends...do we not want to be bothered with our friends when they are going through a rough time (whether we think it is rough or not is irrelevant.) Are we too busy in our own marriage, relationship, etc...to see when a friend needs us? Do we focus only on ourselves and the issues we have?

As parents...are we giving 100% to our children and their upbringing even when they are making choices we don't agree with? Does it appear we favor one child over another because they are "making better choices" than their siblings? Is it easier for us to relate to one child over another because we have a common interest? Do we let our kids know that no matter their grades, their behavior, their choices that we don't agree with...we still love them unconditionally and will help them with all we have?

How about our own parents...do we show them the love and respect they deserve? Do we let them know how much we appreciate the sacrifices they have made and will continue to make on ours and our children's behalves? Do we make sure we have time in our lives for them?

I encourage all of us to look within ourselves and see if we are being fair weathered...if the answer it is yes...well you know what to do.