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D-7832
Have you ever wondered how you can befriend a non-believer whose lifestyle is sinful, without appearing to approve of the sin? Fran is facing that dilemma. On the way home from work, she runs into a neighbor, Sue, who tells Fran that her live-in boyfriend has just moved out. Sue is obviously upset and wants to talk, and Fran promises to call her soon.
In the check-out line, Jesus says to Fran, “You know, Sue is really needing a friend right now, Fran. Why didn’t you invite her to come over tonight and talk?”
“Tonight? Well, Lord, you know this is the first night in two weeks I’ve had to myself. I just want to be alone and read after the kids go to bed,” Fran replies, sounding a bit defensive.
“Yeah, I understand, Fran, but can you afford to pass up an opportunity like this to reach out to someone who was obviously asking you to help her?” Jesus asks.
“Well, I’ll call her and set up a date next week for pizza or something,” Fran answers, hoping that will satisfy Jesus.
“Next week?” he replies. “Next week is a long time off when you’re hurting like Sue is.”
As she heads for the car, Jesus doesn’t say anything else, but Fran is very uncomfortable. She pulls into her driveway, and says, “Lord, you really think I should give up my one free night and ask Sue over tonight? I mean, don’t I have a right to one night to myself?”
“A right? Well, think about that, Fran,” Jesus says. “I gave up my rights to all that was coming to me when I left heaven to come to earth. The essence of the Christian life is that we give our rights over to God, and allow him to run things for us. You remember, I said, ‘Not my will, but thine be done.’”
Fran remembers in a flash all that she has been learning about giving up her rights and being a servant. But when the rubber hits the road, as it has this evening, she finds it a bit difficult. “Guess I really don’t like being a servant sometimes, Lord,” Fran replies, as she sits in the car a few more minutes. “It’s not always convenient, is it?” Fran asks with a smile.
“No, sometimes it’s terribly inconvenient and requires sacrifice. But the rewards are good, Fran,” Jesus reminds her.
As she makes dinner for the kids, her mind again goes to Sue. She thinks, Sue must be devastated. Ed was her whole life, and now he’s gone. I knew he would never marry her, but she thought for sure if they just lived together for a few months, then he’d want to get married.
Jesus reminds her that Sue is desperate for love, and she doesn’t know his love, so she’s looking for it in a man. That happens a lot, doesn’t it? She and Jesus talk a bit about Sue’s dilemma; before she knows it, Fran has reached for the phone and dialed Sue’s number.