It has been said that women speak or convey ~25,000 – 30,000 words a day while men only speak around ~15,000 words. I laugh when I think of how many women just bombard the men in their lives with thousands of words and thoughts. Those poor men having to listen to us. And we, yes, we poor woman when we baffle at men who say so little. I would consider myself a quiet person at times, but I’m sure if you gave me the chance I could talk your ear off as well, and I’m sure I am guilty of putting guys through more “Elizabeth-talk” than they really care for. Raised hand…guilty.
Right now, I am in this sort of “vow of silence,” which when you consider that it is in my womanly nature to speak 25,000+ words in a given day, I’m DYING! I’m sure working in a cubical everyday doesn’t help either. How do you stay silent when there is so much you want to say? How do you rest in peace and silence when you just want to burst out and make yourself known and heard and have someone respond?
You know the door is open to God to talk and pray. He is waiting for us to come to Him. Well, when I must remain silent, thank goodness God is not a man who can only verbalize 15,000 words a day and can’t bear to stand the thousands more that come from my mouth and thoughts (I’m probably more around 50,000 words these days). I have lots to talk about. I have a lot I want to know. Questions to ask, things to figure out, a Jesus to overwhelm. Yet in the midst of our talking, we are also called to be silent and rest. God says, “Be still and know that I am God.” What does being still look like? Does it mean lying on my bed waiting for an “Ah Ha!” moment as Oprah would say (why am I referencing this crazy woman??). Does it mean going on a walk and not talking? Does it mean not thinking (How could I possibly do that?).
Let me think out loud for a moment…being still…resting…resting means giving into our need of sleep…giving ourselves a break…letting things be the way they are for now, knowing it won’t be like that forever and we'll have better, lasting strength if we rest and nourish ourselves…being still…not moving…or maybe being calm, steady….resting in God…resting in the fact that He knows my needs…knows my heart and desires…resting in the fact He is doing something bigger, better…being still in God…having peace, not fear…being confident in His promises…knowing He will move me when it is time, but for now I should be still…
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