Behind the Scenes

Occasionally, dreams do come true.

Over twelve years and 2,200 miles ago, this writer sat in the middle of Manhattan, within the soundproof walls of a legendary talk radio station studio, chasing down news copy and coffee — and wondering, like any twenty-something normally would, what tomorrow might bring.

Alcoholics can tell you about the day they put the bottle down; fitness enthusiasts will often speak of the moment they first laced up their shoes — and the romanticists among us can mark the spot where their eyes first saw the love of their life. Me? I can tell you about the summer I first heard a calm voice of reason on the radio dial — and decided on the spot that someday, somehow, I'd like to work for Dr. James C. Dobson.

In a city made famous by the fanaticism of opinion, the gentle and timeless wisdom of Dr. Dobson seemed to stand in stark contrast to the prevailing logic of the day. To me, he was the Ward Cleaver of radio. As a listener, I envisioned this gracious and magnanimous man saddling up to the microphone on a daily basis, comforting the hurting, encouraging the depressed and counseling those who sought answers to the complex problems of everyday life. Carrying himself with seemingly elegant ease, this mild mannered psychologist struck me as the kind of person anyone would love to work with or for. Yet, being somewhat wise to the ways of a fallen world, I knew that like the sight line of automobile mirrors, things are not always exactly as they appear to be. Was the James Dobson of the radio the same man in person, behind the closed doors of his office when the microphones were turned off?

First Impressions

It was several years before I landed a position within the ministry, first settling into a role as a marketing coordinator. My interactions with Focus on the Family's founder were infrequent, but my admiration for him remained steady. Still, I wondered — what was he really like day in and day out?

I would soon find out for myself.

In June of 2001, I was invited to join Dr. Dobson's office staff and serve as his personal research assistant. With an office just a few paces from his, I was now interacting with him on a daily basis. He'd pop into my office — and I into his — sometimes as many as a dozen times per day. While most of our discussions revolved around ministerial responsibilities and theological issues, we also spoke informally about the other kinds of things that make life fun: family, sports, exercise, entertainment, food and maybe even the latest joke.

A Time of Decision

As time progressed, I would often come home from the office and share with my wife, Julie, a story or lesson I had learned from Dr. Dobson earlier in the day. A teacher at heart, James Dobson has an uncanny knack for passing on a nugget of truth amidst the most ordinary of circumstances. On my lunchtime runs with my best buddies, I found myself regaling them with humorous anecdotes or other observations from inside the office of the boss. Often they'd be surprised at his insight or intrigued by his perspective.

"You're a fortunate man, Batura," they'd say regularly, "to see what you do, day in and day out."

I knew they were right — but I wasn't quite sure what to do about it, beyond being grateful to the Lord and faithful to the responsibilities of my position. Of course, that's well and good, but when you consider the charge Moses gave to the Israelites in Canaan, there's another task someone in my position might want to tackle. Said Moses, " … watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them" [Deuteronomy 4:9, NIV].

And so, I began to informally chronicle the sight from my seat inside Dr. Dobson's office.

In doing so, I began to see patterns develop. I saw that he managed the ministry the way he lived his life — and that he lived his life the way he managed the ministry. I realized that didn't just ask you to do something — he told you why he wanted it done. He took the time to explain the logic behind the request. This may seem like common sense, but in a world that's grown weary because of illogical and immoral behavior, common sense is very often the most uncommon thing of all.

I discovered his unfailing commitment to excellence in all endeavors, his ability to remain flexible to circumstance yet unwavering in resolve to the issues that matter most. Always the gentleman, he knew how to fight fair and how to remain selfless in his service, not to mention knowing when to pull someone close — and when to push another in order to motivate to action and fulfill the mission at hand.

I saw a man who laughs heartily, prays regularly and loves his family with passion and purpose.

This is Dr. James Dobson. This is my boss.

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