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PROGRAM D-7911
I am continuing the story of Fran and Jesus on the Job. If you’re new to these devotionals, I should explain that for a few years I’ve been sharing this on-going story of a fictional woman named Fran, who is a young widow, a single mom with two children, and has a demanding job. Through the struggles of her everyday life, she is learning to practice the presence of Jesus and look to him for guidance in every area of her life.
Today is not such a good day for Fran. In fact, she is at the point of tears as she comes back to her office from a business meeting with her most important client. Closing her door, she plops in her chair and brushes away a tear that tries to escape. “Why did he say that to me?” she says out loud to herself.
Her friend, Louise, a fellow believer, knocks and sticks her head in. “How did your presentation go with your client?” she asks.
“Terrible, Louise,” Fran replies. “That man was brutal to me. I’m telling you, brutal. I worked so hard on that promotion and he shot it down without even listening to my idea!”
“What man?” Louise asks. “You mean the president—what’s his name. . .”
“Yeah, that’s him. Mr. LeFevre. He was insensitive and unprofessional, to put it nicely. Believe me, Louise,” Fran adds, “he was unnecessarily brutal.”
“For goodness sake,” Louise sympathizes. “What did he do?”
“Louise, I’ve worked so hard for that account and, before this, he liked everything I did,” Fran explains. “Now, out of the blue he hits me with this response out of left field.”
“What exactly did he say?” Louise asks again.
“Well, he said that I had not researched this promotion adequately and he was not comfortable going with my idea until I did my homework,” Fran replies, with obvious pain in her voice.
“Oh. . .” Louise is not quite sure what to say. “He just sent you back to do some more research. That doesn’t sound too bad. . .”
Louise’s response doesn’t sit well with Fran. After all, when you’re having a pity party, the last thing you want is for someone to take a rational approach.
“Doesn’t sound too bad?! I had an entire report backing up my idea. I did my homework. I always do my homework. That’s what’s gotten me where I am; everybody knows I do the job right,” Fran responds.
Louise senses that it’s time to make an exit. “Well, I hope it works out okay. I better run,” she says.
Fran doesn’t like the tone of that conversation and her feelings are hurt even more. “Nobody understands me,” she mumbles to herself, all the time knowing it’s not true.