Abe, 7 year old son of our wine maker, has a lot of questions. Getting satisfactory answers to those questions breeds more questions in an innocent, expectant 7 year old way. Monday NEWK-IT! reflections, I've resolved with Abe's dad's permission, have been dedicated to Abe's questions because Abe has touched so many hearts over the past two Mondays. Abe is intelligent; Abe wants to know facts; Abe craves knowledge. There is more: Abe's questions come from his heart and soul, not just his brain. There is more: Abe feels safe asking, craves meaningful conversation and is convinced that everyone has questions about God.

"What is a soul?" Abe asked amid a flurry of questions.  I took a deep breath and spent time in thought. One really profound gift Abe has is waiting quietly, expectantly and unashamedly for an answer. I didn't have a dictionary and Abe's questions were rapid fire. Abe didn't want an academic answer. He knows he has a soul, he wanted a soul answer to describe what is in him.

"Why does your daddy make wine?" I asked. Abe replied, "because he loves it." "Does love come from your heart?" I asked. "Yes. . . " he answered deep in thought. "What is your heart?" I asked. "It is in you and beating." He said. I continued, "yes, you can put your fingers on your wrist and feel your heart beating carrying blood to your body." "Abe, your heart also feels things, just like your soul. God made you with a soul and a heart. What do you love to do?" Abe quickly answered with his whole body in deep expression, "I love to take pictures. I just love it. I don't ever want to make money at it, I just love it." "Abe!" I said, "that is from your soul!" With a big grin he said, "OH!" and asked the next question from his heart and soul.

Here is David expressing his soul: As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. ² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? ¹¹ Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Psalm 42:1-2, 11

God created us as complex beings, body, mind, heart, soul and spirit. As we journey into our heart and soul may God grant us freedom to think and ask, feel and rest, believe and trust in his word and work in our lives. God has created us as his own and he calls us to rest in him. We weary ourselves with worry, guilt, perfectionism; we tell ourselves we shouldn't, but we do. IT! comes from the heart and soul. May we understand, like Abe, that our soul asks God questions and may we thirst for the living God.

May God grant us courage to lay aside our fear of asking questions. May God grant us boldness to confidently ask him to bring authenticity to our lives. May God's peace which passes understanding guard our hearts and minds in Christ. Blessings IN Christ, Cindy