ON THE CUTTING ROOM FLOOR

During my forced convalescence (I am not particularly good at stillness), I have watched the first two seasons of "The Crown" on Netflix.  What is there not to love about a series based upon actual facts AND most of the episodes I remember reading about the events during my lifetime.  There seems to be no middle ground when it comes to this institution of the monarchy enjoyed by the Brits.  You either love them or hate them---indifference is not an option.  



One side insists the dignity of the monarchy has been destroyed by the shenanigans of the family.  I came away from the series feeling extremely sorry for the Queen who has done her part and more for upholding protocol and time honored tradition.  It's the rest of the mob who have given us a bad taste.  The other side clings to the time honored institution of the figurative head of the country.  She really has no authority, beyond a sharp word of criticism here and there.  We all love fairy tales of the beautiful princess and charming prince.  This is no fairy tale---it is real life.  With real life comes all the drama of living in a fallen world.  We all have clay feet and are prone to faLL---none of us are perfect.



Added to the responsibility for trying to keep the family straight, the Queen is automatically named as the Head of The Church of England upon coronation.  Try living up to that role.  We all know the head of any church is supposed to be heads above the rest of us mortals.  Overt - open sinful lives are not condoned.  Ask Queen Elizabeth's professor, King Edward.  You cannot have your cake and eat it too!  The House of Windsor lives a very public life and we all are watching.



I came away thinking about the rule of The Queen, beginning as a naive narrowly educated young woman until today as the longest ruling monarch.  She has morphed into a highly honored institution among the British.  She has stood the test of time, weathered the storms, and risen to the top.  What a legacy she will leave behind.

BUT, the series also points out her mis-steps, the family scandals, the stiff formality, and the messiness of families.  I came away pondering how it must feel to have a permanent record pointing out the details of her mistakes, mis-ques, and out right messes.  If you consider the queen's life as a whole, she has lived a good life.  Mankind it seems is more interested in remembering her humanness and failings as a monarch.  With all the good she has done, historians are keen that we understand the bad as well as the good.  Though she has made tremendous strides to correct the wrongs and amend the wayward ways of the crown, we refuse to forget or allow her to put it behind her.

How thankful I am that we serve a God who forgets our sin once we have turned from our sinful ways and repented.  The Word tells us He has removed from His sight our transgressions as far as the east is from the east.  He forgets our sin when we come before Him and repent.  God does not have a rolling documentary of all our lives.  Our repented sins are on the cutting room floor to never resurface again.  How much kinder and merciful is our Great God than we are to one another.  What a Mighty God we serve.


“I, I am he
    who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
    and I will not remember your sins.
Isaiah 43:25

8 comments

  1. How nice it is to see you here blogging again, Lulu. Welcome back. We have truly missed you. I hope and pray you are keeping well and that your sense of humour is intact.

    God bless you always, my friend.

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Victor! I am on the mend!

      I must admit being a little disappointed that you have no comment on your queen! Surely you have an opinion on this time honored institution? Perhaps you fear the “Tut-tut” of your fellow countryman if you dare to say yay or nay? I am intrigued!

      Blessings, My Friend!

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    2. As you say, the British Monarchy is an institution and the monarch has no power per say. The Queen has served the country admirably over the years and is much loved by many. Did you know the Queen addresses the nation once a year on Christmas day? This is televised, as is also the State Opening of Parliament. Maundy Thursday in the United Kingdom features the Monarch offering Maundy money, also known as Royal Maundy, to selected senior citizens – one man and one woman for each year of the Monarch’s age. The Monarch presents each man and woman with a red and white purse during the church service. The red purse traditionally contains an allowance for clothing and provisions and the white purse holds Maundy coins to match the Monarch’s age.

      God bless.

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    3. They addressed the Christmas message on the series and especially how uncomfortable the Queen was when she did the first televised message. They did not address the Maundy Thursday tradition. Thank you for that little piece of the story!

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  2. My dad was Scottish, so I'm partial to anything British ... especially TV shows and movies!

    But meanwhile, I'm glad you're feeling strong enough to be blogging again, Lulu ... may this week find you gaining strength by leaps and bounds. I know that great adventures await you!

    Blessings ...

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    1. AH, Linda, we have common roots! My mother's "People" were Scot-Irish!
      Thank you for the good wishes! I am getting better everyday!
      Blessings, My Friend!

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  3. So glad you're feeling well enough to get back to blogging, Lulu; it's a joy to see you here!
    Yes, we have watched all two seasons of The Crown, too, and absolutely loved it! But you're so right about the royals living in the proverbial fish bowl. Not a pleasant place to be! Queen Elizabeth has done, and continues to do, a tremendous job in her role as queen.
    Blessings, my friend!

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    1. She is grace under pressure incarnate. They are lucky to have her! I am getting better everyday, Martha. Thank you for your good wishes!
      Blessings!

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Your comments keep my writing and often cause me to think. A written form of a hug or a pat on the back and an occasional slap into reality---I treasure them all!