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To give a little more background to the Fran stories, Fran is a single mom, a young widow, who was suddenly thrust back into the job market after her husband’s untimely death. Like most single moms, she struggles with the many hats she has to wear now. Thankfully, she has a good support system from her parents and her church family, but finding the right balance is a continuing challenge.
She has made it her practice to rise early each day and have time for Bible reading and meditation as well as prayer. She tries to journal most days and recognizes that in order to face all of her challenges at work and at home, she needs to be spiritually strong. It’s been a few years now since Jim died, and she has done well on her job and her kids seem to be growing and thriving normally. She makes it a habit to talk with Jesus throughout her day, to remind herself of his ever-abiding presence.
This morning, as she closes her Bible, she says, “Well, I better get dressed for work or I’m going to be late. Thanks for this time of encouragement with you, Jesus. These quiet moments alone with you each morning make a real difference. Now, job one: get the kids up and ready for school.”
As she arrives at the office, there is a note on her desk from Marilyn, her manager. Fran reads out loud, “Please see me as soon as you arrive. Hmm, wonder what this is all about,” Fran ponders. “Well, Lord, I don’t know what I’ll have to face and so I’m glad you’ll be right there with me.”
She heads toward Marilyn’s office. Peeking her head inside, Fran says, “You wanted to see me?”
“Oh, yeah, Fran, come on in. Have a seat. I think I have some exciting news for you.” Marilyn says with a smile.
“Well, you’ve got my curiosity up, Marilyn,” Fran replies.
“Here’s the deal,” Marilyn says. “We’ve got a shot at a new client—a big one, Fran: Mitchells Commercial Cleaning Services.”
With that news, Fran’s eyes double in size. “Mitchell’s? I’ve seen them around. Are they a franchise or what?”
“Yes,” Marilyn replies. “They’re one of the fastest growing franchises in the country. It’s a big deal, Fran, and a great opportunity. They’re looking for a new agency and we’re one of the three they are considering. So, top management has assigned a Vice President from headquarters to oversee this bid, and since they are headquartered here, we will be assisting him. I met with him yesterday, and after a lot of discussion, he and I have picked you to assist him in trying to land Mitchell’s.”
Fran’s mouth is hanging open. She says, “What, Marilyn? Really? I’m going to be assigned to this prospect—working with a Vice President? Me? I don’t know what to say. Obviously, I’m honored, but I have to admit, I’m also scared.”
“You’ll be fine, Fran. You know how to put a proposal together, you’re good on your feet, and I think you’ll get along well with Jim. That’s who you’ll be working with—Jim Clark, VP of marketing.”
The mention of Jim Clark strikes a note of fear. “Jim Clark—wow. I’ve heard all kinds of stories about how tough he is,” Fran replies.
“Yes, he is tough. But he’s good and fair, and if you perform the way I know you can, you won’t have any problems with him,” Marilyn assures Fran. “Now, he’ll be here tomorrow and wants to spend the day with you setting the strategy. Your first meeting with Mitchell’s is next week, so there’s no time to waste.”
As she heads back to her office, Fran can’t hide her excitement. “Jesus, this is really a big deal. Wow, just think, Jim and Marilyn chose me above everyone else in the office. Oh, Ed’s gonna be furious when he hears this. I’m sure he’ll think he should have been chosen; he thinks he’s the best. It will really goad him because they gave it to a woman over a man,” Fran says to herself with a chuckle.
“So, you think you’ve made your mark, is that right?” Jesus asks quietly.
“Well, guess I must be doing something right, huh? Wow, just think, I’ll be working with Jim Clark. Not often you get that kind of a break. Some pretty important people will know I’m alive after this,” Fran says with glee, basking in this good news.
As she gets back to her office, she sits down and thinks about what has just happened.
“Lord,” she begins talking to Jesus, “is it wrong for me to be excited about this new opportunity? I mean, I’ve worked really hard here and I think I’ve earned this honor, don’t you? This is a big deal and I’ve got a great opportunity here,” Fran’s enthusiasm starts to show again.
“You know, I had a very good sales record last year, and I landed some new accounts that were kinda tough. I did a good job in cracking new accounts. You know, that’s the toughest thing to do; I’m good at that, and I think that’s why they chose me….” Fran’s words trail off as she starts to hear what she’s saying and is suddenly convicted by her own words.
“Lord, I’m sorry. Listen to me talk. You’d think I had done this all on my own. No, Lord, I didn’t do it all by myself. You have been my help and my partner through all of this. I don’t have any ability that is not a gift from you to me. I apologize for the pride and arrogance of my reaction,” Fran says quietly to Jesus.
“Lord; please forgive me and please help me. I couldn’t have gotten this opportunity without you, and I certainly can’t do a good job with it unless you help me,” Fran says to Jesus with sincere humility.
Jesus says, “I am happy for you and it’s okay to feel happy about this new opportunity. Success and recognition are good things, but I’m glad to see you recognize that you didn’t achieve this on your own. That’s a trap the enemy loves to set for you.”
“Right,” Fran says. “I know that you do not measure success by promotions or incomes or sales awards. You measure success by obedience. Thanks for the reminder.”
Then Fran begins to think about this new assignment in a totally different light. Why has the Lord allowed this honor to come my way? she asks herself. Is it just to accelerate my career or increase my income? “I need to see this through God’s eyes,” she says to herself, and she stops to pray for his wisdom to do just that.
“Lord, I know you care about me and my kids and you have promised to supply our needs. If we land this account, it will definitely mean an increase in income for me. But I have a feeling that’s not the most important reason, right Jesus?” Fran asks rhetorically.
“And I know that nothing is in my life by accident. Maybe I’ll have an opportunity to sow some seeds; maybe I’ll meet someone who is searching to know you, and through me they’ll be able to do that. Maybe you just want some of your light to shine in this dark place, and you’re choosing me to do it. But I recognize that you have called me to this for more important reasons than I might see on the surface,” Fran says, remembering lessons learned in the past.
“I know that everything that touches my life comes through your hands, Lord, and there is a master plan which you are controlling,” she says to Jesus.
Jesus responds, “You know, Fran, as you face this possible new opportunity, it might be good for you to find a verse or passage in the Bible as your special promise from me. Something you can refer to many times to remind you that success is wonderful but it can also be a danger zone.”
“Good idea, Lord. Could you please direct me to a special passage?” And as she asks for guidance, Fran gets her Bible out of her desk and closes her door for a private moment. She’s been reading in Isaiah lately, so she opens her Bible and turns to Isaiah.
“Isaiah. Okay. Let’s see, I was up to chapter 50,” and Fran begins to read that chapter. As she gets to verse 7, her face starts to light up. She reads out loud, “Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame.”
“I will not be put to shame,” she repeats. That verse registers in her mind and she can’t get away from it. She wonders, “Is something terrible going to happen to me? Why would the Lord direct me to this verse: I will not be put to shame?”
She looks at the passage again. “Well, I can’t allow myself to think about what might be—that’s not true thinking. So, like it says here, I will just set my face like flint to do your will, Lord, and to obey you, and trust that whatever happens, I will not be put to shame.”
“It means so much to me to have this positive word from you, Lord. I’m going to write this verse on a card and keep it right here in front of me, to remind me at all times that you’re in this with me and you’ve promised me success.” Fran is feeling exuberant.
But once again, the quiet voice of the Lord speaks to her: “No, I didn’t promise you success on this job, Fran. I promised that you would not be brought to shame or disgrace, and I will always be with you.”
“Right, Lord. That’s what I need to remember. You will sustain me, give me wisdom and whatever happens, you will be with me and I will not be brought to shame. Thanks so much, Jesus.”
After she writes Isaiah 50:7 on a card and props it in front of her, she begins doing her homework on Mitchell’s as Marilyn suggested.
Well, success goes to our heads very quickly, doesn’t it? Aren’t you amazed to see how you take credit for yourself so easily? Fran has learned a good lesson today, but you don’t want to miss the conclusion of this episode in Fran and Jesus on the Job – Dealing with Advances.