Play

PROGRAM D-7318

As Fran gets ready for work today, the Lord keeps trying to talk to her. She knows she must deal with this jealousy and self-pity.  But she manages to stay busy and skips her quiet time with the Lord.  “I’m not jealous,” she tells herself.  “I’m happy for Louise.”

At work, Louise calls and says, “Hey, Fran, David is coming over to have lunch with me today.  Would you join us?  I’ve talked about you so much, he really wants to meet you.”

A lump forms in Fran’s throat.  She’s not ready for this.  “Oh, Louise, I wish I could, but I have a proposal due tomorrow and I’m going to work through lunch.  But another time, okay?”

She knows Louise is disappointed, but she says to herself, “Well, I just can’t go there right now.  Louise should be more considerate of me.  She should realize that this is hard for me.”

Immediately Fran thinks of the verse in Romans that says we are to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice.  She can hear the Lord saying to her, “You’re having difficulty rejoicing with Louise over her good news, aren’t you?  What does that say about you, Fran?”

At this, Fran can no longer avoid Jesus, and the tears start to well up in her eyes.  “Oh, Lord, you’re right.  I am a truly rotten friend.  Here Louise has been my friend through my relationship with Barry and she never rained on my parade.  But I’m so jealous that she’s got a guy and I don’t—oh, Lord, sometimes when I see how evil my heart is, I just don’t know how you put up with me.”

Immediately Jesus assures her that he understands, and as long as she comes to him for help, he can change her heart of stone and make her able to rejoice with Louise.

Again Fran recognizes that she would never make it without the Lord.  Her heart begins to overflow with gratitude and love for him.  Almost without thinking, she calls Louise and says, “You know, I’d rather meet David than work through lunch.  Is your offer still open?”

She can hear the excitement in Louise’s voice, and she is amazed to discover that she truly is happy for Louise.  She remembers what she knows to be true:  Obedience always brings joy.