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Fran is driving home this Friday, and she is excited that some friends from the office are coming over tonight. She says to Jesus, “Lord, I pray that you will be in every minute of this evening. I thank you for this opportunity to get to know them and build some relationships. And thank you for helping me today not to worry about how the house looks or if they’ll think I’m a good cook, but instead to be more focused on them.”
Fran realizes that she has put this off for months because she wanted to have everything just right. “Maybe I shouldn’t worry so much about everything being just right, and then I’d have more opportunities to build relationships,” she says to herself. “I guess if the women are comfortable in my home tonight, it will be because they feel welcomed and special. They won’t notice dust on the furniture.”
She thinks again about her obsession with keeping the perfect house. “I guess we women just tend to associate our image with our cleaning and cooking skills,” Fran says to herself. “Truth is, I love to cook and I enjoy a clean house.”
Jesus assures her that there is nothing wrong with that. She remembers the verse from Timothy that says God has given us all things to enjoy. “I just have to keep my priorities in line and remember that my ministry to these women does not depend on my perfection as a cook or housekeeper.”
So, with calm in her spirit, she feeds the kids and does the things needed to be ready when her friends arrive at 7:00. The evening progresses, and the women seem to love being there. They give Drew and Alice lots of special attention, which makes them feel very good.
Since it’s Friday night, no one seems to be in a rush to leave. At one point, Jerri says to her, “Fran, how long have you been a widow?”
“Almost six years,” she replies. And with that opening, Fran very comfortably tells her friends how Jesus has been her strength and enabled her to face Jim’s death. She hadn’t planned to give her testimony, but it was a natural opening, and they listen attentively.
Finally, one of them says, “You know, this has been a lovely evening. Thank you, Fran. I can’t remember when I’ve had such a relaxing time.” Everyone agrees as they finally leave.
Fran walks through the kitchen, looking at all the dirty dishes and realizing that the house is just a tool to use, not a possession to show off. God used it tonight for his glory, and she is so pleased at how it turned out. She’s learned some very important lessons in priorities, and thanks Jesus again for his gentle teaching.