After Fran gets the kids in bed this Tuesday evening, she says to herself, "It's the first of the month. I've got to pay bills tonight."

One of the toughest aspects of being single for Fran is the total responsibility of the finances, which now rests on her shoulders. Since the death of her husband, Jim, that job has become Fran's, and she doesn't enjoy it at all. Of course, it's particularly difficult because there's hardly ever enough money to pay all the bills. She and Jim moved into their home three years before he died, but the mortgage payment is pretty steep for Fran's salary.

As she looks at her bank account, Fran says to herself, "Well, what bills will I pull out of the hat this month? Good grief that phone bill is ridiculous. And this dentist bill for Alice. All she had was a small cavity; you'd think she had a tooth implant—and my insurance doesn’t cover dental," Fran fumes, as she continues to calculate the bottom line.

"Oh great," she exclaims, "I'm $200 short this month. If the kids just didn't have to eat, I guess we could get by!"

As soon as she says that she can hear Jesus saying to her, "I've promised to take care of you. You will not be brought to shame or go hungry or miss anything you need."

Fran had momentarily forgotten that Jesus is always there, but she finds herself a bit annoyed. "Yeah, but I still have to pay these bills!"

She tries to calm herself down a bit and think more rationally. Jesus quietly says to her, "Well, Fran, take a look at your bills. Which ones can be eliminated or reduced?"

"Well, this cable TV bill—I guess that could be eliminated. The kids enjoy some of the kids programs and the cartoons," Fran rationalizes, “but they have a lot of good videos, and mom has bought them several Bible videos recently. It's just easy for me to plop them down in front of the television when I'm tired or busy," Fran candidly admits. "But I'll cancel the cable tomorrow."

Looking through the rest of the bills, she says, "There's really not much else here I can do away with. This VISA bill is too high. I bought that new dress last month, but I need to have nice clothes to work in.” Fran feels defensive.

"But you do need to find ways to reduce your expenses,” Jesus reminds her.

"Well, I know I could sell the house and live somewhere cheaper, but...” That's the one thing Fran doesn't want to think about. She loves her home, and she's been hanging on by her fingernails to keep it. "Every woman wants her own home, and the children are comfortable here. It's home to them," Fran says. "I don't think it would be wise to change schools."

“Fran,” Jesus says to her, "don’t you think it's time for you to seek some good counsel?” She remembers Proverbs 20:18: “Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance.” She says, “Well, I do need to wage war against these financial woes. They're causing me a great deal of stress and it's getting worse, not better. So, I’ll seek some counsel."

As she finishes paying bills, the thought of selling her house begins to depress her. She feels anger start to rise up just thinking about it.

"It's just not fair," she thinks, as tears start down her cheeks. Looking at her wedding picture on the desk beside her, she remembers life with Jim. "It's just not fair. Why did Jim die? Why did God take him from me? It's just not fair!"

Fran puts her head down on the desk, and the sobs shake her body, as the pain and loneliness flood her memory. Suddenly she sits up and says out loud, "Lord, it's just not fair. I didn't do anything to deserve this. I was doing what you wanted me to do, and so was Jim," she says as all her anger pours out.

"I understand," she can hear that quiet voice of the Lord whispering to her.

"How could you understand? You've never had to raise two kids by yourself.” The words come out of her mouth before Fran can stop them.

Then she remembers how Jesus was rejected by his closest friends.