The Language Protein

My husband and I have had a bit of a laugh at a recent discovery revealed by scientists that explain why women talk more than men. Apparently there is a good reason. Women possess higher levels of a language protein in their brains than men do.

We already knew that women talk more - about three times more. Previous research tallied about 20,000 words a day for a woman compared to about 7,000 for a man.

I didn't need the discovery of a language protein to know that when I visit with a girlfriend, she is not so aware of my superfluous descriptions as my husband is. In fact, some friends and I can visit for hours on end without realizing it. That would never happen with my husband.

I find this interesting, not only because I have to work hard at toning down my chatter, but because God must have had a plan when He created us all this way. Men, who long for peace and quiet, are attracted to women who long for someone to listen.

This public domain picture (ca. 1892) illustrates the point. The French artist, Evariste Carpentier, entitled his work Conversation Intime. Note that the picture illustrates a young man listening to a young woman. Maybe Mr. Carpentier did not realize that he was illustrating what is common between men and women, but I suspect he might have.

Thankfully, I know that the God who created me does not tire of my conversations with Him. In fact, I think He is pleased. I find that I talk to Him all through the day and hear Him through many means - His written word - the Bible - and the Living Word - His Son - whose Spirit speaks to mine throughout the day. The Bible calls this prayer. I call it comfort. I can talk to Him about anything, anywhere, anytime without interrupting His thoughts. The one who gave me more language protein than my husband actually wants me to talk to Him constantly.

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

The Contents of the Cloud

The internet and the world wide web are here to stay. Life is so much easier because of the ability to get information within seconds of a query. I am, however, always having to learn something new. Since I travel a great deal, I know how important it is to know the local language and how handicapped one can be when you don't know the language.

The same is true with computer language. I have barely gotten to the point where I know what a hard drive is on my laptop, why it is important to have certain software and how to check a URL to make sure it is legitimate. When I see a word related to the internet that I don't know, I just google it for a definition. None of these words are in the old Webster's Unabridged Dictionary on my shelf. They are too new.

Sometimes computer language uses an old word in a new way. In that big old dictionary of mine, cloud is defined - among other things - as a visible mass of vapor, especially one suspended in the sky. The newest definitions of cloud refer to cloud computing and cloud storage. Most Kindle Fires only have 8 GB of memory because Amazon offers free cloud storage for all Amazon products.

The kicker is that using cloud storage also means you need a WIFI connection in order to stream the content from Amazon's cloud. If you want to read something on your Kindle Fire when a WIFI connection is not possible (like I do), you need to download the book, magazine, document, etc. onto your device.

Perhaps the oldest use of the word cloud comes from God's word. That "visible mass of vapor, especially one suspended in the sky" was part of God's creation, recorded in Genesis. When He led the children of Israel out of Egypt to the promised land, He used His cloud to guide them. As His chosen people, He had a special connection with them.

I, too, have a special connection with God. I am one of His children. I need His guidance and when He is leading forward, I should proceed. Unless He leads, I should wait for Him to say "go."

In that day, the cloud symbolized God's presence and guidance. As Christians, we have the inner guidance of His Holy Spirit. His people still need to follow Him, wherever and however He leads.

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses was not able to enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Throughout all their journeys whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the sons of Israel would set out; but if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out until the day when it was taken up.... the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel (Exodus 40: 34-38).

Rising Light and Clearing Fog

I am a fair weather driver. In fact, I am not a very good driver, so I am not confident driving in any condition except a perfect day. I would rather walk and do walk when it is possible to do so. It is necessary, however, to drive in America and so I must take on the challenge.

I am especially uncomfortable driving in the dark. My night vision is not good and the lights of oncoming vehicles are quite a distraction. I have a special pair of glasses just for night driving.

Recently, I needed to take my husband to the airport fairly early in the morning. Not only was it dark, but there was a fairly dense fog. He drove to the airport, but I had to make the hour's drive home. Our airport is in a very large city, so the traffic and construction on the highway was also a factor.

You can imagine my delight when, after dropping my husband off at the airport, I experienced an amazing change. Daylight had come and even though the fog was still evident, it was as if it was lifted in my sphere of vision. The way was clear for me all the way home even though the fog was all around me. I remember thinking, "God, thank you for the light and for lifting the fog!"

There is a real correlation between what I experienced in this driving experience and how spiritual things we don't understand now will become clear someday to those who know the Lord. As Jesus is the Light of the World, He is the light leads us to reconciliation with God. He experienced darkness on the cross so that we might know light in our lives.

Even as a strong believer in Christ, I know that there are some things today that are beyond my understanding. I can't see things from God's perspective. His promise is that someday the fog will clear and everything will be made clear. I am looking forward to that day.

For now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely (1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT).

Picture from Jordan Mills, en.wikinews