I have learned to speak several different types of languages in my life. I grew up speaking Midwest English in southern Indiana. I took 3 years of French in high school, only to learn that when faced with the real thing, all I could really do was read  menus.

Then I went to college in Tennessee and learned that there are many different kinds of English. I learned some new words and saw the world a little differently. Getting my early childhood degree taught me the language of curriculum and attachment.

Then I met a pilot and started learning the language of air planes. Pistons, ceiling (cloud cover), ailerons (on the ends of the wings), and that zero G is really fun when you know and trust the pilot.

I learned that when you love someone, you learn new words that are important to them simply because you love them, and that they like knowing that your love for them is the only reason you remember some things, like how many slats are in a WWII Jeep grill.

Then I spent 10 months in Indonesia learning Indonesian, which at first made my confused brain spit out French, then helped me see my own culture more clearly. The next few years brought me new friends and a whole new world, realizing that the bond of Christ is stronger than all of those differences.

Then my hubby joined law enforcement and I started to learn that language, of radio traffic and codes. I learned that I love 10-42, clocking off. The Gospel can shine brightly in this mission field.

In all of these new words, God has been teaching me how to hear Him, and learn to communicate with Him. Sometimes it is wisdom and insight from the person in front of me, and sometimes it is learning to trust more in the dark times. Sometimes it is seeing how He has been constructing the next part of my path for the last 10 years, when I had no idea what I would need next.

The most amazing part of Christianity is that the God of the universe wants to communicate with us!

What languages have you learned to speak?

1 Corinthians 12:2 NIV
[2] You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.