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Fran has been given a very bad appraisal and put “on notice” by her manager, Marilyn, because Fran refused to submit dishonest numbers to a prospect, as Marilyn told her to do.
With Jesus to guide her, Fran has calmly asked to exercise her right to talk with the VP of Human Resources, Ed, and voice her disagreement with the very bad appraisal she received. It has become clear to Fran, by the way Marilyn is reacting, that she doesn’t want her to talk to Ed, and she is certain Marilyn has been lying to her.
Marilyn stares at Fran with a look of fear and hatred, and she says to Fran, “If you think you can get me in trouble, you’re wrong, Fran. My job is secure; they’ll believe what I tell them, not what you write on that form or say to Ed.”
For the first time, Fran sees Marilyn is an insecure, desperate woman. The facade of being in charge and having it all together has fallen off like a coat. Seeing this, Fran can feel nothing but pity for Marilyn. “Lord,” she says to Jesus, “look at her. She’s pitiful.”
“Yes, Fran, you’re looking through my eyes now and you see Marilyn to be what she is: A very insecure and frightened woman,” Jesus says to Fran.
And now Fran knows what she should do. She turns to Marilyn, and says, “You know, Marilyn, maybe it’s not really necessary for me to talk to Ed at this time. If you’ll just tell me exactly what I have to do to improve my performance, and put that in writing for me, I’ll do everything I can honestly do to improve. I believe another appraisal will be due in three months, and hopefully by then you will be able to change it. That could solve the whole issue, couldn’t it?”
Fran turns to Jesus with a funny look. “I didn’t intend to say that, Lord. Where did that come from?”
Jesus smiles at her. “From me. You prayed that your words would be pleasing to me, so I put them in your mind. That’s an answer to prayer, Fran.”
Fran is amazed, and she looks at Marilyn, who has quietly sat down and seems much calmer, almost sheepish. “Fran,” she says, “I, uh, I’m sure, uh… Well, yeah, I think that’s a possibility. You could possibly pull your appraisal up in three months. Do you still want to talk to Ed?” Marilyn asks.
“No,” Fran replies, “as long as I have in writing exactly what I’m supposed to do, I’m willing to give it a three-month trial before talking to Ed.”
Fran could have caused Marilyn a lot of trouble; instead, she chooses to show mercy. And all because Jesus was there with her, guiding her every word.
