A Word Aptly Found

Cat Has Fun with Mouse

Courtesy of AllPosters.com

"I and Pangur Ban my cat,
Tis a like task we are at:
Hunting mice is his delight,
Hunting words I sit all night."

~ 1st Stanza of the poem "Pangur Ban"
Written by an Irish monk in an Austrian monastery around the ninth century.

To communicate with one another we need to use language. But what we are really after is meaning. A word can have more than one definition. These definitions can be opposed to one another or similar. If they are similar the meanings can enhance the one word, creating depth. As we try to convey the ideas or thoughts formed in our heads, we seek the file cabinet of various words in our spoken language.

My darling girl has a cabinet full of words that she uses to display what she wishes to impart. When her Grandma Guerino (G.G.) learned she needed to begin chemo therapy for her cancer Elizabeth wanted to encourage her. She made a simple, plastic, beaded bracelet with the words, "Keep Shining." Her word choice remains a bit of a mystery because she cannot explain or define it further.

This simple gift has gone beyond my imagination. Our G.G. has lovely jewelry. She began my Pandora Bracelet because she loves her own so dearly. So, it surprised me that a simple, plastic, beaded one carried so much weight and delight for her during this time. She wears it for every chemo infusion and MRI scans. Nurses and other hospital staff have inquired about it.

What impressed G.G. more than anything was that her granddaughter did not choose "Keep Smiling." Anyone can put a smile on their face and it can be fake. However, you cannot be inauthentic when you are shining. That comes more from within and only God can help bring it about.

To my delight and amazement there is a Hebrew word, Hallel, that can mean both "to shine" and "to praise." Hallel is used frequently in the psalms and is translated in English as "praise." But this same Hebrew word is used in Isaiah to describe the light that shines forth from the stars or the moon. Elizabeth's little bracelet, "Keep Shining," took on a deeper meaning for me. When I praise God I am shining like a star. My circumstances may be dark but as I focus on God's unchanging character and reflect that back to Him I shine. Our G.G. continues to get her eyes up and focused on her unchanging Lord. She has kept shining through her weakness and in His strength.

The bracelet inspired some further processing as she continues in her journey through what she calls, "Cancerland." The picture is her artwork. A photo of the "Keep Shining" bracelet was trimmed and included in it. Every element to her creation means something. I'm hoping she will blog about it one day. My little darling girl has had a significant impact in her G.G.'s emotional well-being. This has been a God thing! He deserves all the praise and as I praise him, I shine for Him!