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How would you like to have to work with someone who resents you, is jealous of you, and treats you rudely? Jenny, a new coworker, has been asked to work under Fran’s supervision, but her jealousy and resentment have become obvious to the boss, Marilyn.
While Marilyn is having a private talk with Jenny, Fran is in her office praying for guidance. She told God if he wants her to relinquish this new account to Jenny, she will do so.
In a few minutes Marilyn walks into her office. “Well, Fran, I explained to Jenny that I make the business decisions here and I reminded her that she was fully informed of what her status would be when she requested the transfer here. So, she’s agreed to work with you on this account. If you have any problem, you let me know.”
“Marilyn,” Fran says, “I’m willing to give her the account if you want me to. But I’m not sure how easy it’s going to be for us to work together.”
“There’s no way I’m going to let you give up that account. You won it and it’s yours. And if anybody can work with Jenny, you can, Fran.” And with that Marilyn goes back to her office.
Since it’s almost quitting time, Fran heads for the door just as Jenny is leaving. “Jenny,” Fran says, “I know you’re not happy with this latest arrangement. I can understand how you feel. . .”
“Oh, give me a break, Fran. You don’t understand or care how I feel,” Jenny comes back with great anger. “Just don’t think I’m going to do all the dirty work, Fran. . .”
“Jenny, please,” Fran begins, “I even offered to give you the account, but Marilyn insists we can work together. I certainly want to try. . .”
“You offered to give me the account?” Jenny is incredulous. “I don’t believe it. You’re just trying to make points with Marilyn. Well, just don’t expect me to do your work for you, Fran.”
Fran recognizes that there is no way she can have a rational conversation with Jenny, so she goes to her car and heads home. The tears start to come. “Lord, what am I going to do?”
Well, what is Fran going to do? There’s no happy ending to this story. Fran is not able to turn Jenny around, and as they work together, Jenny increases her attacks on Fran. Many times Fran is tempted to go to Marilyn and tell her what’s happening, but each time she has a check in her spirit. So, she spends many miserable days trying to work with Jenny.
Finally, Jenny resigned her position and left the company, full of bitterness and anger. “It’s so sad,” Fran says to the Lord, “and I feel bad for her. But Lord, what more could I do?”
“Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?” (Proverbs 27:4). Not every story has a happy ending, even when we obey the Lord and do what he tells us to do. But we can trust the results to him.