“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near” (Philippians 4:5, NIV).

     Many people today are offering their tributes to Queen Elizabeth II. Her seventy-year reign ended abruptly yesterday. However, her legacy of grace and strength has left an indelible mark on us all.

     My fondest memory of the queen is an image of her riding Burmese, her beloved mare, alongside of President Ronald Reagan outside Windsor Castle in 1982. The image of this gentle, petite woman guiding a 1200-pound horse is telling. The word, gentleness, has equestrian roots. It simply means strength under control, like that of a bridled horse being directed by its rider.

     Queen Elizabeth was a gentle soul. Her quiet strength often was demonstrated by her capacity to maintain grace and poise during times of duress. Her voice of hopeful determination gave encouragement to a beleaguered nation during the Blitzkrieg of WWII. Her ability to rise above the noise of her critics only increased our admiration of her noble character. For seven decades, this amazing woman’s gentleness was evident to all of us.

     So, when I grow up, one of my spiritual goals is to become more like this dearly departed queen. I ask that God might grant me the strength to hold my tongue when I am tempted to speak out in anger. I pray my fear of criticism may be bridled so that I might uphold the principles and values Jesus taught. I place my trust in God’s Spirit to prevent me from pursuing personal interests ahead of the betterment of others.