Dear Royal Family,
My princess heart is hugging you from afar. I am so sorry for the loss of your dear grandmother, mother, sister, aunt, and friend. I am certain at times it has been hard on you to grow up in the spotlight. Being a queen or a princess is the dream of most little girls, but I cannot imagine the responsibility and sacrifice that the position brings, yet Queen Elizabeth walked with such grace and poise. Always appearing to enjoy her life, the position to which she was called, frequently appearing to be humbled by the experience.
“In an era when the regular worthy rhythm of life is less eye-catching than doing something extraordinary, I am reassured that I am merely the second sovereign to celebrate a diamond jubilee” (Queen Elizabeth).
She saw worth and value in the daily rhythm of life. It wasn’t the extraordinary things that happened but “often the small steps” (Queen Elizabeth) that brought lasting change. She understood the impact of a woman’s gentle and caring touch and valued “the lessons from the peace process” (Queen Elizabeth) and the importance of working together. It is not what life throws at us; rather, we are made stronger individually “for working together and sharing the load” (Queen Elizabeth).
She ruled England and influenced much of the world with integrity and grace. I am sure she ruled in your hearts and homes just the same. I am certain her heart broke in rhythm with yours at every struggle your family embraced. She understood that sometimes there are problems that cannot be solved with the wave of a wand or Parliament or even with a hug, but require God’s grace and mercy.
She believed in “encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration to work together” (Queen Elizabeth), especially through times of adversity and strife to “build [up] and to cherish” (Queen Elizabeth) one another and the life in which we live.
I could never understand the position of the queen, having been divinely appointed, I think it could bring much pressure at some points, yet she seemed to have a deep inner knowing that she was right where she belonged. She devoted her whole life to “the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong” (Queen Elizabeth). She understood that peace will come when we “the children of today” (Queen Elizabeth) work “to make the world of tomorrow a better and happier place” (Queen Elizabeth). She carried with her “hopes for the future” (Queen Elizabeth) and reminded us that even when “life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future” (Queen Elizabeth).
Your grandmother, mother, sister, aunt, and friend’s position is a position unlike any other. She was neither elected or chosen by the people, but instead grew into and through the position by the very nature of who she was. With every decision she made, God must have been her consult. I cannot imagine all that she must have endured in the decisions she had to make on a daily basis, yet she frequently seemed completely at peace. She radiated beauty, warmth and kindness, yet you understood the seriousness at which she managed and confronted some situations.
Your family is moving into a new era, adjustments will be made. Of course, you know they already are. Your lives will look different now and there will be times when you will wonder…
“What would grandma say?”
“What would mom say?”
And, I am certain at those times you will often hear the word “Pray.”
I cannot imagine being in the position of Queen for seventy years without God being her top advisor. Her heart must have beat in rhythm with His no matter what life sent her way. I just cannot imagine another way.
Today I pray:
Heavenly Father, thank you so incredibly much for leaders in our world like the Royal Family. Lord, we know that it is not just the individual involved in the leadership, but the entire family unit. I pray, Lord, that you will continue to guard and guide this family as they move forward. I pray that they will find the same quiet, gentle rhythm that their grandmother, mother, sister, aunt, and friend found each day. I pray that as they move into new leadership roles and life changes that their heart beats in rhythm with Yours. Most especially Lord, I pray that you pull them in close to you and help them to know your deep, deep love. Thank you Heavenly Father!
Ya’ll have a beautiful day!
All My Love,
Jen
*Note - the quotes for this letter were taken from Eastern Mirror’s Top 20 Inspirational quotes by Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch of Britain
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