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Program D-7791
Fran and Jesus on the Job is a fictional story which teaches the principle of practicing the presence of Jesus. As a single working mom, widowed at an early age, Fran has faced many struggles and is learning how to be aware that Jesus is always with her and she doesn’t have to face life on her own.
Thankfully she has wonderful parents who live nearby and who have been with her through everything. She often phones her mom for comfort, and her dad for advice!
It’s Thursday afternoon and, as Fran is busily finishing up an important presentation for tomorrow’s meeting with a new client, her cell phone rings and she notes that it’s her mom. Well, she thinks, I can just call her back on the way home. But something prompts her to answer the call.
“Hi, Mom,” she says cheerily, “how’s it going?” “Fran,” her mom’s voice is shaky, “they just called me from your dad’s office and he fainted or something and they’re taking him to the hospital. I was just wondering…”
“I’m on my way, Mom. I’ll come by and pick you up on the way. I should be there in fifteen minutes.” And with that she literally picks up her purse, leaves everything else scattered on her desk, and heads to her car.
It’s the longest fifteen-minute drive of her life, as she starts to process this information. Her dad—her strong, capable, godly dad whom she relies on so often—something has happened to him. She tries to pray as she drives, but it’s more like a cry: “Lord, please, please….” She doesn’t even know what words to use, so she simply repeats the name of Jesus over and over, knowing that the Holy Spirit is interceding for her.
If you’ve ever had a phone call that changes your life, you know how Fran feels. You know, there are times when words just don’t work. Your heart and mind is so traumatized that you can’t really pray. Romans 8:26 says, “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Remember this encouraging truth when your words are inadequate.