“Fasting the Forecast” by Katie Taylor

Have you ever struggled with what to give up for lent? I have. I love the idea of giving something up as a way to draw closer to Christ, but have often struggled with how to walk that out. This year I thought of a few things, but most seemed to be an imitation of what I’d seen others give up. I didn’t want to take on something in my own efforts just to fail. So I asked God to show me what He wanted me to give up. I am continually amazed at how personal and faithful He is in answering our prayers!

My answer came ten days before our spring break Disney Cruise. After the rainiest winter in the history of America, our family was on our way to sunshine and spring. We had never paid for or planned so much for a vacation. And as I looked at the forecast of our boat’s destination, it was absolutely beautiful for the entire month of March, except for the four days of our trip. Rain, rain, and more rain. As I looked out my rainy window and saw Huntsville had five days of sun on the horizon for the first time in months and our family was cruising for more rain, I became undone.

I called my friend who is a great listener and gracious to me when I cuss. She didn’t have to offer any advice; I knew when I heard my own words coming out of my mouth that my heart was in a bad place. To be disappointed is understandable. But this was a total meltdown. If you’ve experienced Disney, you know the pathway to magic is excitedly paved by the planning and pocketbook of the parents. I was confronted with the reality that my costly efforts to escape from winter could possibly be a failure. On a deeper level, I was confronted with the notion that my own efforts and dollars don’t actually unlock the door to comfort and control.

My word for 2019 is “peace.” But as I proceeded to check the forecast about 50 more times that day, there was no peace in my heart. I thought maybe if I kept checking, it would get better. But it actually got worse. As I checked it again right before bed that night, I felt the kindness of God answering my question of what I should give up for lent…checking the forecast. So I made a commitment that any time I felt the urge to hit that button on my phone, I would turn to Him instead. To pray, to be thankful, to seek peace. Basically, this was His way of getting my full attention!

As with anything God calls us to, there is immediate opposition. The next day there were tornado warnings in Huntsville. My clear revelation of what to give up was met with the notion of being foolish, impractical and even shameful. What kind of good mom doesn’t check the forecast on the day of a tornado? Trusting God is hard. It is having faith in what is sometimes impractical, and trusting you heard that still, small voice correctly.

But with that first step of obedience, there was immediate blessing! My kids and I spent the afternoon in our storm shelter which happens to be our game room closet. We had a blast playing games and being present with each other since I wasn’t on my phone. It was a gift. No tornado came.

I realize fasting the forecast is a bit unusual. But God has shown me some things I am excited to share:

THE REALITY OF SURPRISE

Did you know, according to studies on stress, 85% of the things we worry about never happen? Is anything more frustrating and futile than redirecting our paths for a disaster that never comes? Like an Alabama snow day with no snow! As I reflect on this, I see the biggest tragedies of my life were ones I never saw coming. Like that day over 25 tornadoes hit Huntsville in 2011. Like that cancer diagnosis, that car wreck, that death.

Likewise, the biggest blessings in my life have been surprises too. Like when the sun came out on our cruise and we had glorious weather. The best moments in my life were ones I never scripted. The day I met my husband, the day I met Jesus, the timing of our daughter’s birth, none of that was forecasted!

THE BEAUTY OF NUANCE

How can you summarize an entire day in just one picture like on the weather app? Fear and anxiety lead us to see future days and situations one way. But really it is very nuanced. As people have allowed me into their life stories and as I examine my own, it is far more complex. There is often rain and sun at the same time. I am learning the dance of holding hurt and hope in the same picture! Our days are incredibly nuanced. And if we are brave enough to visit our darkest days, it has been my experience we can see a ray of light, the presence of God and hope. Sometimes we remember our days with one picture, a storm, or perfect sun, but when we look close up, it is far more than one word can describe.

THE GIFT OF THE PRESENT

There is one place in time our hearts touch eternity and that is in the present. Fasting the forecast has helped redirect my mind from what the next day or weekend holds and living more fully in the current day. I have transitioned to something incredibly old-school and started walking outside to look at the weather when wondering how to dress my kids in this season of unpredictability. These moments of standing outside and looking up at the sky during the crazy morning rush have literally been fresh air!

People have told me that when you fast, that thing you thought you needed, you one day don’t need any more. The other day, I was tempted to check the weather app, but didn’t. This time it wasn’t out of willful obedience. It was because I realized it may not actually tell me the truth or information I needed in the moment. That was – and is – a victory!

Please know I write this not to say the forecast is bad! It is a very helpful tool! My hope is that my unique journey encourages you that yours is too. I pray that for the rest of lent, or during any season, you would lean into what God is calling you to release and open your eyes up to the beauty of nuance, surprise and the present moment. And turning to Him instead of that thing for answers!

My lent journey can be summarized through a teaching I recently heard from Dan Allender that spoke right to my heart:

At the end of our self efforts to bring about comfort and control is a door. God stands there to offer us rescue. And upon walking through that doorway, we discover delight, rest…a true end to winter.

~ Written by Katie Taylor ~

Katie Taylor’s passion is journeying alongside people of all ages toward freedom in Christ. She loves finding treasures in God’s word and everyday life. She is the wife of Will Taylor and blessed momma of three young children. The Taylors are active members at Rivertree Church, and Katie is a volunteer at the Huntsville Pregnancy Resource Center. She loves bright colors, all things beach, a long run, a good laugh and writing at thefirstdayofspring.net.

Tags: Blessing, faith, Forecast, Katie Taylor, Lent, Obedience, Surprise, Trust