On April 29, 2011, the world watched as Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, married Catherine “Kate” Middleton. The ceremony was viewed by tens of millions worldwide. For those who are old enough to remember Princess Diana, the ceremony also held a sense of nostalgia as Prince William married a commoner, much like his mother.
Kate Middleton, the eldest of three children, was born to a former flight dispatcher and a flight attendant. While her parents would later start a business which would bring them monetary success, her upbringing was from an upper-middle class perspective.
As I watched the news coverage that day I was captivated. Who wouldn’t be?
The whole setting is a modern day fairy tale. The amazingly beautiful and iconic wedding gown, the formality of the ceremony, the fascination with British royalty, and the traditional wave from Buckingham Palace made for an amazing event.
As I reflect back on that day, I remember thinking to myself, “I wonder if Kate’s mom realized she was raising the future queen?” I doubt that when Kate was born, her mom thought to herself, “The future queen is here!” Yet unknowingly to her parents and those at the birth, she would one day become royalty.
Had Kate’s mom realized her daughter’s destiny, I wonder if she would have done things differently? Would she have changed her perspective as a parent? Are there characteristics that she would have worked hard to instill in Kate, knowing her future influence and opportunities. I wonder if she would have done more to expose her to social needs such as poverty and hunger?
From what I have read about Kate, she is a very hands-on mom, not delegating the raising of her children to a nanny. I have also read that Kate wants her own mom to be very involved in her son’s life. Now the woman who unknowingly raised the future Queen, also has an important part in raising the future King! The things she has taught her children and grandchildren could impact a whole country for decades.
Have you ever thought about whom you are raising?
While the odds of you raising future royalty is pretty slim, you may be raising the next Nobel Prize winner, Governor, or award winning writer! That little one who keeps spilling their milk at breakfast may become a judge who makes an important ruling on a case that changes the history of the United States. The little girl who won’t stop asking questions all the time might be the next great scientist who discovers a cure for a deadly disease. Don’t get discouraged when all you see are the loads of dishes, piles of laundry, and a messy kitchen floor. Keep the future in mind! Ephesians 2:10 tells us, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” There are good works that God has planned not only for your child to do but for you to do as well! While many days may not seem exciting right now, one day when your child’s story is told, you will see that it was all worth it! The lessons that you are teaching and the character you are building in your children will not be in vain.
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