As we ponder Godiva's secret letters, remember, Godiva is more than chocolate. She rode through her fears and so can you!
My dearest Granddaughter Ealdgyth,
The Secret to all life is to be. To be. That sounds so simple my dear. But it is profound. Please stop to consider what you will be. You are not your title. Yes. Queen Ealdgyth. I imagine that you are trying to imagine how you will fulfill this role. Queen. Queen Ealdgyth to to Earl Harold Godwinson of Wessex.
How long he has yearned and connived to be the King of England. A few more battles and he may be one. Queen to a man that despises you. Queen to a man that killed your husband to take his throne. Queen to a man that married you to ensure his newly stolen title and lands. I despise that he uses you so.
Ealdgyth. I must warn you that I believe Harold will be king for only a short while. War is perpetual in our dear country, and William will conquer. You must prepare to leave our beloved country soon.
As my body weakens, the memories resurrect. They once pierced my heart, now their scars reveal my strength to survive and became the Countess you know me to be.
Coventry is still in my heart as I write from Evesham. I write, yet the hand is of my beloved Brother Thoma sent to me from Ely Abbey. Daily he cares for me, so patient to write down all the secrets I have never shared. Some not even with my late husband Earl Leofric.
My desire is to encourage you with my life stories. Be forewarned that not all will be my stories. Some will be my secrets. All have played into how I have lived my life.
You have already served as Queen of Wales. I do not need to tell you how to fulfill your role. What I hope to share is how to continue to strengthen yourself from within so that you will be all God has purposed you to be. … your true self in the midst of hate, greed, envy, and politics. In the midst of God’s world that is full of love, joy, faith and peace. To be yourself when others would shape you for their own purposes as their pawn. Perhaps at present, your goal is simply to survive. A worthy goal. Worthier still is to thrive.
It took us years to become the people you know us to be. Those dark early years have been secreted away. Why would one so public ever acknowledge the agony of one’s private life? I only do so now for you, my dearest one. Will I ever live down that horse ride through Coventry? Perhaps not.
I will reveal to you the hidden story at this time to embolden you to do likewise when the time comes. Bare your body? Bare your soul? Yes! There are times like Queen Esther that we have “born for such a time as this.” You, my dear Eadyth, are living in such a time. And it is time for your Grandmother to share with you woman to woman as you prepare for the downfall of England.
Countess Godiva
Evesham Abbey
To ponder: Are you in a challenging position now? Perhaps not of your choice? Godiva uses the example of Queen Esther, forced to marry, but who is challenged that perhaps she has been placed "for such a time as this" in order to save her people from genocide. Have you ever been challenged to "speak up" to support another? Challenge an unjust situation/policy? What has helped you? What has hindered you? I encourage you to wear your crown and be the heroine of your story! I believe in you! VickiJolene
Photo credit: Jared Subia 11372 on unsplash.com
Σχόλια