More importantly, God says it quite clearly -- "male and female He created them" (Genesis 1:27). Two different words. Two different genders. Two different creatures. No gray, drab world for God. He said in effect, "Let's dress it up." And women have been doing the same ever since -- making things beautiful. Hanging curtains on the bare windows of the earth. Yes, men and women are defferent And that very difference combats aloneness.

A woman is a companion. She is a friend. She is an aloneness fighter. A woman will do almost anything to fight isolation, to combat separation, to overcome aloneness.

I've had the privilege of living with a certain individual for the past 7 years. When I think of all the qualities I appreciate about this woman, I value most her determination not to let us drift apart. As a man, there are times when I simply want "my space." And sometimes it has felt as if she is right there in my face, but I wouldn't have it any other way. She is right there. She was made to be right there!!! She is woman. She is magnificently woman. Left to myself, I think I would be just that -- left to myself, like some bearded, wild-eyed hermit in a back-country lean-to. But God wisely said, "It is not good for man to be alone." She won't allow me to be isolated. She has become a companion and friend -- most often through sheer dogged determination. Fighting aloneness.

It took me a while to put this together. I thought about it, planned it, researched it. When I get to writing like this, its because that woman has taught me the privilege of having a God-fearing, praying companion in my life. I will always love and respect her and will always shout from the highest points of the world my love, adoration, appreciation and gratefulness for her being a part of my life for these past few years.