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Getting along with coworkers is not always the easiest thing to do, is it? I’m exploring our story of Fran and Jesus on the Job, as Fran runs into a problem with one of her coworkers. I continue these episodes because many of you have told me they really help you to understand that Jesus is with you all day on your job, and you’ve been practicing his presence better as a result.
On this particular day Fran is rushing to get a proposal finished for an early meeting tomorrow with a new prospect. She thinks, “I’ll be glad when this is finished; Marilyn made a few more changes. Now I’ve got to get Joyce to make the changes and reprint it. I just dread even approaching Joyce. She has such a rotten attitude. When you ask her to do anything, she’s as sour as a lemon, she’s lazy, and her work is poor.”
She can hear the quiet voice of Jesus say: “Yes, she presents a challenge for you, doesn’t she?”
“Well, challenge is a nice way to put it. She drives me crazy! After all, she is the assistant for the department. It’s her job to help us with these projects. But she acts like she’s doing you a favor when she does her job. I just can’t stand people with lazy attitudes.” Fran expresses her feelings.
“Fran,” Jesus quietly responds, “don’t forget, no one is in your life by accident.”
Fran stops in her tracks to ponder that thought. “No one is in my life by accident? Yeah, but…” Fran pauses. “You mean, Lord, you have purposely allowed Joyce into my life? You want to cause me grief and frustration? What good does Joyce do me?” Fran’s self-centered thoughts are showing.
Again, she can hear Jesus say, “You may not think Joyce is doing you any good, but have you forgotten I often work in you through other people? And besides, Joyce needs you in her life.”
Fran really doesn’t want to hear that. She knows she should be compassionate and caring toward Joyce, but that’s just asking too much. “Look, Lord, all Joyce has to do is what she’s paid to do. I’m not supposed to baby her when she’s so lazy, am I?”
“No, not baby her, but love her,” Jesus responds. “You know, I love her—just as much as I love you.”
Fran wrinkles her nose. Not exactly what she wanted to hear.