I’ll admit. I’m a little bit jealous. In a good way, if that makes sense.
Just watching from afar.
And as hard as it no doubt is for many, something embedded within is so good and right and true.
Maybe it’s because of how respected author and encourager Jennie Allen framed it…
“Reasons we respected the Queen:
- She submitted to something bigger than herself for the good of others.
- She was not controlled by her emotions.
- She lived a quiet life, and could have but didn’t draw extra attention to herself.
- Her identity seemed secure despite a constant global spotlight and criticism.
- She was slow to speak and thoughtful with every word.
- She was wholeheartedly committed to her marriage and family.
- She regularly displayed wisdom and courage in unthinkable circumstances.
- She saw her life as service.”
Elizabeth II — Elizabeth Alexandra Mary — unexpectedly led the British monarchy for near 71 years. While monarchies may seem somewhat archaic and ineffective, something about the Queen of the United Kingdom was not.
Her wise words were many…
“It has always been easy to hate and destroy. To build and to cherish is much more difficult.”
“We may hold different points of view but it is in times of stress and difficulty that we most need to remember that we have much more in common than there is dividing us.”
“Each day is a new beginning, I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God.”
And so are the wise words about her…
From Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, who’s known the Queen since childhood: “Her Majesty’s reign spanned so many decades – a period when we came into our own as a confident, diverse, and forward-looking country. It is her wisdom, compassion, and warmth that we will always remember and cherish.”
From Elton John — or Sir Elton, as he is more formally known in the UK: “She led the country through some of our greatest and darkest moments with grace and decency and a genuine caring warmth.”
And from New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern: “Here is a woman who gave her life, utterly, to the service of others. And regardless of what anyone thinks of the role of monarchies around the world, there is undeniably, I think here, a display of someone who gave everything on behalf of her people, and her people included the people of Aotearoa New Zealand.”
The extent of the heartfelt, admiring tributes is unprecedented. And what do they overwhelmingly speak of? … her decency… compassion… servant-heartedness… commitment to her family and faith… her thoughtfulness… not seeking of the limelight… and her enduring consistency in all of the above.
So why jealous?
And why in a good way?
Because even in grief it feels good to pay tribute to a leader, imperfect as they are, that the majority of us don’t question if they are actually worthy and good.
May you rest In peace, Elizabeth Alexandra Mary. God be with your family as they mourn now and continue to work out what family looks like. Thanks most, no less, for your humble, absolutely beautiful example to the world.
Respectfully…
AR