Grace and Mr. Carson

Mr. Carson: “At times I wonder if I’m just a sad old fool.”

Mrs. Hughes: “Mr. Carson, you are a man of integrity and honor who raises the tone of this household by being part of it.”

Poor Carson. He’s tried so hard to cultivate this image and set the standard of professionalism, excellence, and propriety at Grantham home. 

Suddenly, there’s a crack in the visage and we get a glimpse of a whole new facet of his past and personality.

He’s horrified and thinks it’s all over.

Cover blown.
Integrity lost.
The look on his face says it even if his words don't.
“I wonder if I’m just a sad old fool.”
What will people think now?

As it turns out, people aren’t bothered at all!

This new revelation doesn’t detract from Carson’s image. It adds to it; somehow making him all that more endearing.

Thank goodness for Mrs. Hughes, who speaks these words of encouragement.  Gently prodding Carson to extend the same grace to himself that he would be quick to extend to others. Reminding him no matter what his past looks like, this is where he now stands.  He is who he is, and Downton Abbey is all the better for it.

This scene captures my heart every time.

Why is it sometimes the hardest direction to extend grace is inward?
(Especially when the past comes to call?)

Sometimes we all need to hear the words of Mrs. Hughes.  “Mr. Carson, you are a man of integrity and honor who raises the tone of this household by being part of it.”

----------------------------------------
This post was inspired by Five Minute Friday and this week's word -- grace.