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For those who aren’t familiar with the Fran stories, Fran is a young widow with two school-aged children, who has a job in a marketing organization. We’ve been following her story since she went back to work after her husband’s untimely death, and several years have passed. Now she has a relationship with a man named Barry, who is a strong Christian, and their romance has brought a bright spot into Fran’s life—as well as a few struggles and conflicts!
She and Barry work together and both are account reps with good track records and success. Their hard work and honesty have paid off, and they are held in high esteem by their management and coworkers. This Friday morning Fran is really excited for Barry, because she expects he will be awarded a big new national account. He’s the right person for that account, and their manager, Marilyn, has indicated that she recommended him. The final decision is to be made today, so it’s been hard for Fran to stay focused.
The phone rings just about lunch time, and it’s her friend and fellow believer, Louise. “Hi, Fran,” Louise says, “just wanted to tell you how sorry I am for Barry.”
“What do you mean, Louise?” Fran asks with a lump in her throat.
“Oh, no, you haven’t heard! Oh, I’m sorry. Barry didn’t get the new account; it went to Lloyd.”
“Lloyd? Why Lloyd?” Fran asks in bewilderment. “Lloyd isn’t nearly as qualified as Barry – and Marilyn told Barry. . .”
“I know, I know,” Louise says, “nobody knows why Lloyd got it instead of Barry. I just feel so bad for Barry.”
“Thanks for letting me know, Louise,” Fran says. “I need to find Barry. Talk to you later.”
She hangs up and calls Barry; no answer. His office is up on the next floor, but she just can’t sit still and wait any longer. So she heads for his office, taking the shortcut up the stairwell. As she’s going up, Barry is coming down.
“Oh, Barry,” Fran says, “I was headed for your office. Louise just told me. . .”
“Yeah, can you believe it?” He looks at her with a slight grin. “Marilyn told me Lloyd was selected because of his quote ‘experience with entertaining large national accounts.'”
“What did she mean?” Fran asks.
“Oh, I think it’s clear—somebody decided that I wouldn’t be willing to wine and dine this client as they expect to be,” Barry replies.
“You mean because you’re a Christian and they know you don’t carouse like some of the other reps do?” Fran replies. “Barry, that’s discrimination. Didn’t you protest to Marilyn?”
“Look, she feels as badly about it as I do,” Barry says, “and she’s a fairly new believer, so I’m not going to hassle her, Fran.”
“You mean, you’re not going to fight this, Barry?” Fran can’t believe her ears.
“No, I prayed about it, and I have to trust God and let it go,” Barry tells her.
Whoa, would you be willing to do that? Shouldn’t Barry fight for what is rightly his?