Finding today’s word has challenged my tired brain. Usually there’s a word that pops out to me and stops me cause I have no idea what it means, but my synapses are sleepy, so nothing was sparking any thoughts.
However, there is one word that’s caused me a bit of trouble over the last few months. Balustrade. The title of my novel (coming out in early 2013) is Through the Balustrade, and just about every time I tell someone they give me an enigmatic look (enigmatic was almost today’s word) or respond by saying, “Through the what?” So, I thought I’d head off some of that, and extend a “balustrade” challenge!
First, the definition: Balustrade – (it’s interesting to note here that my first attempt at giving you an accurate definition has come up empty…dictionary #1 doesn’t have “balustrade” listed—not so new or updated, it would seem). Aha! Here we go…a balustrade is a row of balusters topped by a rail. (And just in case you’re scratching your noggin’, a baluster is an upright single support to a rail. Think stairway rail.)
To completely understand how that fits into my novel, you really have to read it (all the way to the end). But I can tell you that there is a barrier made up of a balustrade and panels.
Now for the challenge! It’s not going to be easy to work the word “balustrade” into our conversations this week (unless, of course, you’re going to tell people about my book!), so I think it’s time to make up a little slang of our own. Do you have anything in your life that just keeps coming back to haunt you? Something that’s a constant struggle? Maybe it’s the one thing you think you can’t ever do. Well, let’s call it a “balustrade.” It’s those things that cage us in like the bars of a jail cell. It’s our balustrade. It keeps us from being who we’re meant to be. It’s those scripts that play in our head reminding us of our failures and struggles.
That’s seems negative, I know. But not for long…after all, the phrase is “Through the Balustrade.” As we walk along this messed up and broken road, we will find strength. We will find hope. We will find love and forgiveness, and we will get through our balustrade. It is for freedom that we have been set free!
Remember that this week. Your balustrade may get you down. It may hold you back. But it won’t stop you. There is hope.
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:19
