There is – and will continue to be – a lot written and said about Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, and her life, but one thing stands out to me:
She did her job.
“When I was 21, I pledged my life to the service of our people
and I asked for God’s help to make good that vow.
Although that vow was made in my salad days, when I was green in judgement,
I do not regret nor retract one word of it.”
She did her job, with trust in God.
“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.”
She did her job, with trust in God and faith in Christ.
For me the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God
provide a framework in which I try to lead my life.
(Christmas broadcast, 2000)
“I know just how much I rely on my own faith
to guide me through the good times and the bad.”
She did her job, with trust in God and faith in Christ, her whole life.
I want to ask you all, whatever your religion may be, to pray for me on that day —
to pray that God may give me wisdom and strength
to carry out the solemn promises I shall be making,
and that I may faithfully serve Him and you, all the days of my life.
(Christmas broadcast, 1952)
And I am reminded of Paul’s words:
The glorious fight that God gave me I have fought.
The course that I was set I have finished, and I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7 J. B. Phillips New Testament
Elizabeth fought the fight, finished her course, kept her faith.
She did her job.
I hope, when the time comes, the same will be said of me.