Fran is facing some serious financial difficulties. She is trying to cut expenses and is facing the possibility of having to find a cheaper place to live.

“Guess I need to sell the house,” she says, but the thought depresses her. She feels anger start to rise in her just thinking about it. “It’s just not fair,” she thinks, as tears start down her cheeks. Why did Jim die? Why did God take him from me? It’s just not fair!” The sobs start to shake Fran’s body, as the pain and loneliness flood her memory.

“I understand,” Jesus replies, quietly.

“Really? You understand what it’s like to raise two kids by yourself?” Fran asks.

“I understand loneliness; I was rejected by my closest friends,” Jesus reminds her. “Even my Father turned his back on me as I hung on the cross. I understand because I’ve experienced every kind of pain you have, Fran.”

The room gets very quiet, as Fran’s sobs subside. “Lord, I’m so sorry…” she begins, but Jesus interrupts her.

“No need to apologize, Fran. You’re complaining to the right person,” Jesus says, as he reassures her of his love. “Remember David in Psalm 142. Why don’t you read that Psalm right now?”

Fran opens to Psalm 142, and begins reading:

I cry aloud to the Lord; …I pour out my complaint before him; before him I tell my trouble. …Listen to my cry, for I am in desperate need…set me free from my prison…

Fran’s spirit is calmer as she finishes the Psalm.

“Fran,” Jesus says, “since I know what you think anyway, it’s good to be honest with me and tell me how you feel. Then we can deal with it.”

Fran tries to smile. “David says set me free from my prison; I feel like I’m in a money prison. I’ve got to sell my house, uproot my kids—if I just had more money…”

“Fran,” Jesus interrupts, “money is not the answer to your problems.”

Fran and Jesus on the Job – Finances – 2