Yule Never Walk AloneSample

Certificates and Tickets

Yesterday morning two things arrived in the post. One was my certificate for passing a course in British Sign Language. Great news to mark a lot of hard work. The other was a speeding ticket. Bad news of an expensive mistake. Highs and lows all in the space of two minutes.

It would’ve been nice to have received these items on different days as the ticket detracted a bit from the certificate. But it reminded me that life is made up of both moments – celebration and commiseration. Achievement and failure. Some days are full of joy, some full of disappointment and some, like yesterday, a weird combination of both.

It also made me think about how we don’t always know whether another person is having a certificate or a ticket day – or like me a combo of both – a “certicketficate” day if you will!

Some people we meet are currently having a “certificate” experience of life. Maybe they have a great job, a happy relationship, enough money and some interesting hobbies. They love Christmas and are excited about catching up with friends and family for festive fun.

Other people we meet may be in more of a “ticket” time. Days of struggle, sickness, bereavement, unemployment, redundancy, loneliness, stress. The pressure of the next couple of weeks gives them high levels of anxiety as they have to endure festive gatherings which they just don’t feel like going to.

Some, like me, are having a “certicketficate” experience. Some struggles and challenging moments alongside some moments of real peace and joy despite what’s going on in life.

We need to be loving and sensitive in relation to where other people might be at, especially at Christmas time when emotions can be heightened.

Let’s celebrate with each other in the certificate moments, console each other in the ticket moments, and understand that people’s faces in cir-ticket-fice moments may look a bit weird – it’s hard for one's chops to express this odd combo of feelings. Let’s recognise that at any given moment we are all swinging between these different emotions. We often don’t know the depth of the battles each other are facing, so let’s be as kind and understanding as we can.

Reflection

Are you experiencing a certificate day or a ticket day – or a mix of both? Bring your highs and lows to God in prayer now.

Pray for someone who comes to mind who is struggling right now.