Francie Admin Assistant Day

By Joni and Friends|Published On: April 24, 2019|Categories: 4-Minute Radio Program|

Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and its Administrative Assistant Day.

And I made sure to send a note and a little gift to Christie, who is my Admin Assistant… but I like to call her my “hands.” Her job description is a little different than most in her role. Because it’s a little more than filing and typing and taking calls. For Christie, it’s reaching for books for me, it’s holding pages, at times feeding me lunch, holding a big bottle of water up to my mouth so I can guzzle it down, putting on my wraparound before I head home. Christie’s only been with me a short time, compared to my former administrative assistant, Francie, with whom I worked for 37 years. Wow!

We had such a unique relationship, Francie and me. She was my hands for many books that I wrote. And after decades of working together, and (okay let’s say) I was sitting next to her composing a letter to perhaps a senator ,or a publisher, or a senior executive in another ministry, I, I kinda depended on her to tell me if I were wandering off base in the way that I was saying something. Like, I’d write a paragraph or so, and she’d lean toward me and half-whisper, “Are you sure you want to say that? It makes you sound a little, you know, self-important.” “No,” I would whisper back. “Yes,” she’d say, “Read that last paragraph again.” I would do it and, usually – not always, but usually – she was spot on. Or I would be writing a manuscript, and I’d be stuck for “just the right goldilocks word.” Francie would invariably come up with the right word. She was a good example of Ephesians Chapter 4, verse 15 where it says that we should “Speak the truth to one another in love.” Wow! To learn to trust someone who does that; someone who you know has your best interests at heart. Like saying, “You know, you, you were a little edgy on the phone just now, and I know you would never want to sound that way, so, just wanted you to know that it was kinda edgy.” That is speaking the truth in love. Occasionally, when composing a chapter, I’d ask Francie to read a couple paragraphs. I’d say: “Just pretend you’re Jane Doe, an average reader,” I’d say to her. “Tell me if the paragraph makes sense.” I think Francie enjoyed that kind of responsibility which made her a most unique administrative assistant!

When we Christians speak the truth to one another in love, it’s a way of speaking honesty, and clarity, and integrity into each other’s hearts. Every day we should look for opportunities to speak that way, especially the truth of the gospel to one another. It’s how we serve and protect one another doctrinally. It’s also how we build up one another and grow unity in the body of Christ. Speaking the truth in love is also how God gives grace to others through us.

Ephesians Chapter 4, verse 15 is a wonderful principle to apply to any relationship, not just a close coworker. It’s a way to invite a friend or a, a spouse, yes, even a close coworker to help you be accountable. To help you improve and rise to the next level. It’s a way to learn how to do things prudently (I love that word: “prudently.” It means knowing the right thing to do or say in any given situation; do things “prudently.”) We need people who will help us do that — wisely and well, by speaking the truth to one another in love. It’s something to do on any day of the week, not just Administrative Assistant’s day. So God bless the Christies. God bless the Francies in our lives. May they be agents of truth and love toward us, and may we learn how to do the same gently and thoughtfully with them. So for all you who are typists and clerks, and you file things, and you make calls and appointments, and schedule airline seats, and whatever you do, showcase the love of Christ to others that way, with the Ephesians Chapter 4 verse spirit. God bless ya as you do! Let me hear from you today on my Facebook page or you can always post a comment on my blog at joniandfriends.org.