I\u2019ll admit. I\u2019m a little bit jealous. In a good way, if that makes sense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just watching from afar. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And as hard as it no doubt is for many, something embedded within is so good and right and true. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maybe it\u2019s because of how respected author and encourager Jennie Allen framed it\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cReasons we respected the Queen:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Elizabeth II \u2014 Elizabeth Alexandra Mary \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Her wise words were many\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n “It has always been easy to hate and destroy. To build and to cherish is much more difficult.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEach 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.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And so are the wise words about her\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n From Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, who\u2019s known the Queen since childhood: \u201cHer Majesty\u2019s reign spanned so many decades \u2013 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.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n From Elton John \u2014 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.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n And from New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern: \u201cHere 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.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The extent of the heartfelt, admiring tributes is unprecedented. And what do they overwhelmingly speak of? \u2026 her decency\u2026 compassion\u2026 servant-heartedness\u2026 commitment to her family and faith\u2026 her thoughtfulness\u2026 not seeking of the limelight\u2026 and her enduring consistency in all of the above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So why jealous?<\/p>\n\n\n\n And why in a good way?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because even in grief it feels good to pay tribute to a leader, imperfect as they are, that the majority of us don\u2019t question if they are actually worthy and good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I\u2019ll admit. I\u2019m 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\u2019s because of how respected author and encourager Jennie Allen framed it\u2026 \u201cReasons we respected … <\/p>\n