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PROGRAM D-7714
Do you ever feel like you’re hanging on by your shoestrings? That’s where our friend, Fran is in this latest episode of Fran and Jesus on the Job, because she is having a hard time setting some reasonable boundaries with friends and co-workers, and even with her boss.
Finally, it’s Friday and Fran is running on fumes. “Thank God it’s Friday,” she says to herself. “I can take it easy this weekend.” Then, at about 3:00 she sees a text from her Pastor asking that she help with a special event at church tomorrow. He writes,
Fran, I know this is a late request, but Courtney is very sick, so she’s not able to do the registration for our equipping class tomorrow. I need someone who can handle the registration process calmly and efficiently. That, of course, is you. I’m sure hoping and praying you can do it. Let me know as soon as possible. Thanks, Pastor Paul.
“Well,” Fran says to herself, “how do you say no to that? It’s certainly not Pastor’s fault that this request is so late—and it is church work, after all, so I just think I have to buck up and do it.” And so she sends a response that assures Pastor Paul she’ll be there.
Now she has to break the news to her kids and disappoint them, work late on Friday to get her Saturday chores done, and try to get a few hours sleep before heading off to church. What a week! Have you found yourself in some similar tough weeks far too often? Maybe, like Fran, you need to take a look at your need to set some reasonable boundaries.
For Fran, her problem is a combination of trying to please everyone, enjoying the recognition she gets from being the go-to person, and feeling guilty when she has to say no. Yes, there will be times when we have to go the extra mile, but a continual habit of crossing needed boundaries will lead to burnout.
If you have trouble holding to reasonable boundaries, and you know it, perhaps you’ll consider what causes you to do that, ask God for wisdom, and then pray for his strength to stick to your boundaries. It really is the best way to live out your faith.