Yesterday, my work sent me to an Administrative Assistant Conference at a hotel here in DC. I had never been to one of these before and really had no clue what to expect. I thought I might get some practical ways to be better organized or even better my skill in Outlook or something like that…little did I know what I was in for! First, I had no clue what time it started. I know, way to pay attention to the details, Jenny. Why didn’t I print out the confirmation sheet or keep the brochure? I don’t know. Good Administrative Coordinator, good. (Sarcasm) So because I had no clue what time it started, I called the hotel to see what time they had. They told me it started at 8am, which I thought was really early, but decided to show up at 8am. When I got there, I found out it started at 9. I was an hour early. But hey, at least I showed that I can be dependable and I can show up to work on time! Good skills to have, I think.
After I got some starbucks and read in the lobby for a bit, I headed back downstairs to sign in and find a seat. When the meetings started, a very polished woman came to the front to introduce herself, the meetings, and the other speaker. I was immediately struck by this woman’s appearance. She was a mix of Suzanne Sommers and Paula Dean. She was tall, very thin for being how old she was (maybe 60′s), very tan (of course, she was from Florida), with blue eyes, a bright white smile, and blonde/grayish hair. She was also wearing an all white blazer with a leopard print shirt underneath. I think Southerner’s would be the first to know, you do not wear all white after Labor Day, especially in the middle of January. I had to chuckle to myself. The women at the conference were all middle aged Secretaries or Admin. Assistants. There were a few women my age and maybe like 4 men. I even made a friend there and we had lunch and got to know each other! That was fun!!
So what did I learn there? I learned that I need to improve myself…Yes, I need to be a better person. Because after all, I am a GOOD person, and I deserve to be treated as such. And I need to take care of myself before I take care of anyone else with whom I work for. Really. That’s what they were teaching us. When Miss Judy (the lady in the white blazer) started speaking she began to say things like “We KNOW you don’t get appreciate at work!” Then you would hear all the ladies start to say back to her as if they were in church, “Mm! No, we don’t!” This would encourage Miss Judy in her preacher-like speech to say more about how we are under-paid for what we do and no one notices us and how today is all about us. Even more “Amen’s” would be filling the air during this speech. This is when I couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Seriously, I was.
Honestly, what I learned most was how far different the Bible and the world is compared to each other. The world may say, “Take care of yourself first.” “Don’t let anyone stand in your way.” “Be more YOU centered!” But the Bible calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves and to follow the example of Christ by serving each other, even those who do not know him as their Savior. Jesus did not come to the earth to work for himself. He came to call the sick and by calling them, he served them. When the Pharisees stepped on him, he prayed for them and graciously taught them with Scripture. He loved sinners. The conference went against what the Bible tells me I need to do. I understand this conference was by no means a spiritual conference meant to give me encouragement in the Word and by seeing how Christ would serve.
I talked to Brian about this last night and had mentioned that I don’t think I got a lot out of it. He was good enough to give me another perspective and remind me that I did actually get something out of it. I gained a new friend and a ministry opportunity to share the Gospel with my boss by telling her that I am to obey God’s Word and how it tells me to serve others and not just take care of myself.
(sorry no picture today since I’m on my work computer)
