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Fran has run into a neighbor who needs a friend. Although Fran had planned a quiet evening for herself, at Jesus’ prodding, she gives Sue a call.
“Hi, Sue, this is Fran. Listen, I don’t have anything I have to do tonight. Why don’t you come on over in a little while. The kids go to bed around 8:30 or 9:00. We’ll have some time then to talk. I’ve got good ears, Sue, and I’m willing to listen,” Fran invites Sue over. “Yeah, I’m sure; see you later.”
As she hangs up the phone, she smiles. “You know, Lord, I didn’t really plan to do that, but when I started thinking about Sue and how I’d feel if I were in her shoes, well. . . .” Fran’s voice trails off.
“Yes, Fran, you just put on compassion. You have prayed that I’ll help you to be a compassionate person, so I just answered that prayer,” Jesus tells her. “When you care about someone, when you feel compassion toward them, it’s not so difficult to be a servant to them, is it?”
“Oh, I didn’t think of it as being a servant; I just wanted to help her. I hope I can,” Fran replies.
“True servanthood,” he says, “is when you are a servant and don’t even realize it. That happened, Fran, as soon as you stopped thinking about how inconvenient it was, how you had a right to a night all your own, and thought instead about Sue.”
“I get the picture, Lord,” Fran replies. “Keep praying for compassion, keep putting myself in others’ shoes, and day by day, you will answer my prayer and make me more like you—compassionate. It really is amazing to see how you can change me,” Fran says.
She helps the kids with their homework and, as they’re getting ready for bed, Sue knocks on the door. It turns out to be a late night for Fran, as Sue talks for several hours and pours out her hurt and pain from her broken relationship.
Fran falls in bed about midnight—exhausted, but praying for Sue as she goes to sleep.