The Queen’s Laughter

Queen Elizabeth II visited Houston in 1991 when I was living there, and I went to City Hall to see her. She and Prince Phillip were seated on a covered platform out doors overlooking the reflecting pond .

The cheerleaders from the University of Texas performed with great enthusiasm and many leaps and somersaults. The marching band played “Home on the Range”, and at precisely the line, “and the skies are not cloudy all day. . .” , the sky clouded up and it started to rain. I looked around to see if anyone else had noticed the coincidence, and saw that the Queen was laughing out loud, and the Prince was trying hard to stifle a laugh.

People scrambled to avoid getting soaked, though it was a brief shower. I scrambled, too, and found myself closer to the platform with an even better view of the royal couple. I was grateful for the shower and for the whole experience. It was worth all the trouble of fighting the traffic and finding a parking place and devoting the larger part of the day to the visit, and more.

Simply the laughter of the queen made it more than memorable. The shower and the laughter brought renewal and refreshment from what might have been a tedious obligation for the queen, and a routine ceremony for the crowd.

“I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing.” (Ezekiel 34:26) That day the shower was indeed a blessing for me, and apparently for others as well. It fulfilled the proverb,”In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” (Prov. 16:9), and joy and pleasure was the fruit of the rain.

The passing of Queen Elizabeth has signaled a sea-change in people’s minds, as if an historic age has come to an end and we are reminded that the future is unknown. It helps to remember that God’s promises still hold and that His supply of showers of blessing never runs dry. As He blessed England with a gracious Queen, so He blesses all His people who seek Him.

Love in Him,

Prue