Part I

Did you know that success can be dangerous? Continuing the story of Fran and Jesus on the Job, where Fran has to face some realities about the business success she is experiencing.

Fran works as an account representative for an advertising firm. She has struggled with many things in the few years she has been with the company, coming back to work after her husband’s untimely death. With two kids it certainly hasn’t been easy, but through lots of hard work, things have finally started to come around for Fran.

But the bad news is, Fran’s workload is increasing daily and no matter how hard she works, it’s impossible to keep up in a normal eight-hour day. She is strongly committed to being home by 6:00 each evening, but lately she often finds it impossible. And she usually brings home work to do after the kids go to bed.

Fran keeps thinking it’ll get better; it’s just a temporary workload problem. But she’s beginning to realize that is not the case. She talks to Jesus about this almost daily, trying to know what she should do.

“Lord,” she says to him this morning, “You gave me this job and I know you want me to do good work. You’ve given me lots of good ideas and helped me so often, but success is killing me. I feel very trapped.”

She has learned to simply talk to Jesus, in a reverent way of course, because after all, he is her friend and he cares about everything in her life. She has also learned to sit quietly and give the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of Jesus within her—an opportunity to communicate with her spirit.

This morning she thinks about her tendency to want to be a superwoman. She has begun to recognize that it is not easy for her to set boundaries on herself.

“I have to admit,” Fran says to the Lord, “that all the good press I’ve been getting at work feels good. My boss often tells me what a great job I’m doing.”

Quietly Jesus reminds her not to forget her Forever Eyes. Forever Eyes is Fran’s way of reminding herself that only what lasts for eternity really counts, but it’s so easy to lose that focus when every day is full of deadlines and phone calls and kudos.

“Yes,” Fran replies, “I understand. Thank you again for this job, but please do help me keep it in perspective. I know that my children are far more important than my accomplishments at work, and I know that people are more important to you than positions and titles and paychecks. My challenge is not to lose sight of that in the midst of my busy days.”

Fran commits to Jesus again that she wants more than anything to please him. After a little more quiet time with Jesus, Fran starts her busy day by getting her two kids up and ready for school.

Arriving at work, she finds Joyce, her assistant, has gotten there ahead of her and put a muffin and cup of coffee on her desk. She and Joyce have become good friends, even though at first Fran was very frustrated with her poor work habits. But with some true concern and compassion, Fran reached out to Joyce, discovered she was a very discouraged single mom, invited her to church and became friends with her. Joyce comes to church with Toby, her little boy, almost every Sunday now, and she told Fran she’s quit drinking. Fran believes she’s very close to accepting Christ as her Savior. One thing for sure, her attitude at work has changed 180 degrees! What a joy she is to have around!

As Fran hangs up her coat, Joyce comes in with messages. “Joyce, what a treat! Thank you so much for the muffin. How’d you know I’d need that this morning?” Fran asks, as she gives her a hug.

“Well, I know you’ve been working too hard and too long. You know, you can’t keep this up, Fran. You need more help. Already you’ve got two fires to put out,” she says as she hands the messages to Fran.

“Ughh,” Fran sighs, “just our daily crisis. That’s the nature of this business, Joyce. It goes with the territory.”

“Does burn-out go with the territory?” Joyce replies. “I’m worried about you.”

Fran smiles at her. “I appreciate your concern, really I do,” Fran says. “And you’re right; I can’t keep this up. But it’ll get better soon I think.”

“Yeah, and I’m Donald Duck,” Joyce says as she rolls her eyes and walks out of Fran’s office.

One of the messages is from her boss: “Can you have lunch today?” “Hmm, I wonder what’s up,” Fran says to Jesus, as she enjoys her muffin and coffee. She emails to Marilyn that lunch is fine, and then plows into the stack of work on her desk.

The morning goes by before she realizes it, and Marilyn is standing in her doorway. “It’s time for lunch, Fran,” she says. “Hope you didn’t forget.”

“Oh, hi Marilyn,” Fran replies. “Nope, I didn’t forget; just didn’t realize how late it is.” She puts down her work and grabs her purse. “We haven’t had lunch together in weeks. Am I being called on the carpet or something?” Fran smiles at Marilyn. Their relationship has improved immensely and they both seem to feel very comfortable with each other.

“Yeah, on the carpet at Pier 22. We’re going out to lunch first class,” Marilyn says as she leads the way.

“Whoa,” Fran says, “Pier 22. Sounds great, but let me check the finances here. That’s not in the budget.” She starts to check her purse but Marilyn stops her.

“Put your money away; this is on the company,” she says.

“No joke? Great, I’ll enjoy every bite,” Fran says.

They carry on the usual chit-chat as Marilyn drives to the restaurant, but in the back of her mind, Fran is thinking, “What’s up?” She quickly says to Jesus, “Please give me wisdom, guidance and clear thinking for whatever it is I’m going to face.”

Jesus reminds her again to keep her Forever Eyes on.

They get a private table in the back of the restaurant and Fran orders Dover Sole, her favorite. As they munch on their rolls, waiting for the entree, Marilyn begins, “Fran, I just want you to know that the management of the company recognizes what a great job you’re doing with Mitchell’s. Really, the account has already exceeded projections by a large amount. And I’m convinced that it’s mainly due to your hard work and creativity. And I’ve said so to the people who count.”

“Thanks, Marilyn,” Fran replies, putting down her knife. “I was just thinking this morning what a pleasure it is to have a boss like you. You have been so supportive and helpful; and of course, you’ve taught me a lot. I rely on your business judgment often; I don’t deserve all the credit, you know that.”

“You deserve a great deal of credit, and my pleasant duty today is to tell you that beginning next month, you will be promoted to Senior Account Rep,” Marilyn says slowly, letting the effect settle in on Fran.

Fran’s mouth drops open and she is stunned. Trying to assimilate it all, she pauses for a moment, and then says, “You’re not kidding, are you? Wow, that’s really something. Senior Account Rep—I never dreamed I’d get it this soon…”

“It is soon. In fact, as I recollect, there are only two others who have been promoted this fast. Sam—you don’t know him, he’s in corporate now—and myself,” she says with a smile.

“Well, I’m in very good company then. Thanks, Marilyn. Now tell me exactly what this means,” Fran says.

“Well, it means that you’ll be getting a fifteen per cent raise right off the bat. Then you’ll be eligible for the yearly bonuses and profit sharing. You’ll have management status, Fran,” Marilyn informs her.

The smile on Fran’s face won’t go away. “I can sure use the money,” she says.

“Well, I can imagine a single mom like you has lots of expenses,” Marilyn says. “Never having any children myself, I’m sure I don’t have the financial obligations that you do.”

They talk further about the bonus program and how much money that can mean to Fran. It could be significant depending on how much Fran bills to the client and on the company’s profitability. Fran’s head is spinning just thinking about how nice it will be to have some extra money.

In the midst of the conversation, the Spirit of God within her prompts her to ask about added responsibilities and workload. It seems like an unnecessary question to Fran, but Jesus seems insistent, so she does.

“Marilyn, let me be sure I understand exactly what will be expected of me. What added responsibilities or duties will I have?” she asks.

“Well, basically you’ll still be doing what you’re doing with Mitchell’s. There’ll be some additional management meetings and responsibilities, but nothing significant, I don’t think,” Marilyn informs her.

Fran puts her fork down and thinks about what Marilyn has said. Her workload will not go down, it will go up. And already she is over-capacity. If she accepts this promotion, the responsibilities go with it.

“Lord, I need Forever Eyes fast,” Fran breaths a prayer, and it seems as though she is given an instant capsule picture of life as a Senior Account Rep. Frantic, hectic, tired, burned-out. And on the sidelines are her kids, waiting for her attention, taking second place to the job. Once Fran takes the promotion, she can’t refuse the responsibilities. Now she must make a choice and it’s not an easy one.

The Spirit of God—that quiet voice within—reminds her that promotions, titles and incomes don’t count for eternity, and she must not be deceived by the allure of these things.

“But Lord,” she breaths a prayer in her mind, “I could use the money, you know that, and…well, it’s just not smart to turn down a promotion. They’ll think I’m crazy!”

She can almost hear Jesus saying to her, “Which is more important to you, Fran, what people think or what I think?”

Jesus always cuts through the maze and helps Fran to see the clear-cut choice she has. She gulps and says slowly, “Marilyn, obviously I’m very honored with this promotion and I appreciate your confidence in me more than I can say. But I need to ask you to give me a day to think it over before I accept.”

“Think it over?” Marilyn asks with great surprise. “What can there be to think over? You’ve worked hard and earned a promotion.”

“Yes, I believe I have worked hard for it,” Fran agrees, “but I have to consider the impact it will have on my family. Frankly, Marilyn, lately I’ve had to work a lot of extra hours just to keep up and I’ve been debating what to do about that if it continues. It appears to me it will continue, and now with some added responsibility, well…”

“Fran, you can’t turn this promotion down. If you do, I don’t know what will happen. I might have to reassign you—I don’t know,” Marilyn seems genuinely concerned and puzzled.

“I surely don’t want to put you in a bind, Marilyn,” Fran responds, “but I have to give this careful consideration. My priorities, because of my children, are different and I don’t apologize for that. I have to be at home in the evenings and have time and energy for my kids. They won’t be young and teachable forever, and I have limited years with them. I don’t want to blow those years. Nothing is worth neglecting my children.”

Looks like Fran’s Forever Eyes are going to cost her a promotion. It’s not always comfortable to make decisions based on eternal priorities, but it is always blessed by our Lord and will in the end be for our good.