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).

Diagnosing Connection Problems

I travel a lot. In order to keep working while on the road, access to the internet is a necessity. Thankfully, most places it is no problem. However, there are times when a connection is very difficult. There are even occasions when the network diagnostic assures me my internet connection appears to be working properly but my email does not load nor can I access any website. The message that appears while attempting to view a website states that I am not connected to the internet and network diagnostics can help solve my connection problems. I feel like I am going in circles. 

One thing I know about this problem is that I need help solving it. Usually the issue is not resolved until I ask for aid (usually from my husband). When I am unable to connect to a network because (as the network diagnostic indicates) I have entered an incorrect password or network name, chosen the wrong type of wireless security or am out of range of the base station, I need help in deciding how to correct the problem.

It is somewhat frustrating to be intelligently handicapped in this way since all of my work is done on my laptop. I would prefer to figure things out on my own and not have to disturb my husband, but I am seldom able to do so. I need his help. He understands the network diagnostic language.

There are times when Christians develop a problem communicating with the heavenly Father. Often, the problem is not apparent to others. Appearances may make it seem as if the connection has never been broken and everything is working properly, but there is an adjustment that needs to be made so that communication is unhindered.

When that happens, we need help in restoring our connection. The problem is never on God’s side. It is always on our side and our lack of paying attention to the issues that are so critical in keeping the communication flowing. We need the Holy Spirit’s help in diagnosing the problem.

Sometimes we are unable to connect because we are not using the proper name. God knows our thoughts and our hearts, but in order to reach Him, we must come through Jesus. Jesus told His disciples to come to the Father in His name. That has not changed.

Sometimes we are unable to connect because we are looking in the wrong place for security. Prayer is not simply meditation as the world defines it. Emptying our minds in meditation opens the door for Satan to fill our minds with his agenda. Prayer is always God focused -  through Jesus.

Sometimes we get out of range of the base station (God’s presence) by allowing sin to take control. When that happens, we are the ones who have moved out of range. 

Most of us resist asking for help. We want to control our own lives, not submit to God’s direction. In every case, however, that compounds the problem and delays open channels of communication. We need His help. He is readily available to diagnose any communication problems and leads us through steps to correct them.

And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water (Hebrews 10:19-22 NLT).