A Decoration for You

I’m going to have to admit to watching Undercover Boss, Australia in order to tell you this story. What is it about that accent? I was delighted at the words “bloke” and “keen”.

So there was this Domino’s employee spilling his story to the undercover boss, and we hear that his 17-year-old relative committed suicide earlier. He said his family was grieving, but he was wearing the experience like a badge.

Like a badge that has a pin on the back.

You stick the pin through your jacket, and the ribbon hangs out there for everybody to see.

Every day you wear it.

Every day they see it.

I made it through something hard. 

And always in your mind is the real experience and what it took to push through every minute of it. You remember the searing pain of the wound or the heart-racing terror of the encounter or the risk you took to do that brave thing.

It’s a badge, and badges aren’t to be ashamed of but are to be celebrated, in a solemn, you deserve respect sort of way.

Decoration is for people who get to the other side of it –whatever it is.

So keep going. There’s a strip of ribbon resting in a black velvet box for you.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.  (James 1:12 NIV)