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The Husbandman comes! Tovina sensed the eagerness of all the vineyard at his approach. Would he notice her again? She wanted to ask him a question, but she would wait.

"Ask, my tiny Tovina. Ask, and it shall be given you."

How kind of him! How understanding!

"Sir, my name, what does it mean?"

His eyes softened and began to twinkle. "Tovina," he said, "you must look TO THE VINE. You must watch the ways in which it responds to my touch. You must take time to learn for yourself of the Vine.

"And for you," he continued, "I have laid up a book of promises, promises of wisdom, strength, and peace, promises in exceeding abundance, more than you could ask or think. Speak often to me.

Ask for the things I promise, and believe me when I tell you they are yours because I love you. Then you must thank me, for praise makes the connection stronger. If you keep the praise to yourself, your connection cannot thrive."

"A Song of My Well-Beloved Touching His Vineyard" (Isaiah 5:1). To the Vine, Tovina:  A Story that Is an Allegory of One Young Adult's Spiritual and Faith Crises