If you ask the same question you get the same answer.

     The most frustrating question in life has to be "Why?"  Whether it's asked by an innocent inquisitive 2 year old or a senior citizen there is most likely to be the follow up question of "Why?"  Eventually we come to the point where our answer is "Because I said so."  I'm glad that God doesn't do that with my "Why?" questions.  The question can be a protestation of rules for a teenager or a genuine desire for understanding.  "Why?" is also the most used question in any grief situation.  With such a broad spectrum of emotions and intentions covered in a single word question; being able to discern the reason for the question is important.  For the rest of our human life here on earth the "Why?" question will reign supreme as the most asked and overused question.  Why?  Because I said so. 
      Equally important to the question is the need for an answer.  "Because I said so." is not an answer.  It's an avoidance.  "Why not?" is not an answer either.  When you tell your three year old you have to leave and go to work they ask, "Why?" What is your answer?  "I just do." isn't an answer.  "Why do I have to go to a nursing home?" your elder asks.  "It's just the way it is." isn't an answer either.  We have filled our lives with answers to questions in such a way that we defer any responsibility to something or someone else.  "Because your mother said so."  Then of course some of our answers aren't answers at all and are meant to placate the questioner.  How many times have you heard someone answer a question and never really answer the question.  Politicians are great for that.  So are you and I. 
     We fail in our attempt to answer questions to reinforce the fact that someone asked us a question because they trusted that we would, could and will answer their question.  This trust begins to erode as our frustration of the repeated questions.  "Are we there yet?"  is a classical example.  At the umpteenth asking of the question we no longer want to be the parent.  We don't want to hear the question and turn on the radio.  Or we say, "When the car stops and I get out we are there."  What's not being understood is the need for interaction, for removal of boredom, for excitement that can carry us to "there."  When your child checks out of the conversation, you have just let them down.  When an elder no longer asks you questions they are telling you that you can't be trusted to hear their fears and anxieties. 
     The issue is not the question and not the answer.  The issue is relationship.  Do you hear me?  Do you know how to help me?  Do you love me more than golf?  Do you want me to help?  The issue is how do we relate with one another.  What do we mean when we ask a stranger "How are you?"  When we say "Hi" where are we going with that relationship?  I'm not suggesting that we avoid interacting with people.  I'm suggesting that our interaction be from the heart instead of the head or worse yet, by rote.  If it's important to say, it's important to engage.  How many times have you been asked a question knowing the one asking was not really interested in your response?  There is a breakdown in relationships (all levels) when we go through the motions and miss the motive.  There is a reason that man or woman or child has chosen to ask the question or give the answer.  Our most impressive example is when Jesus was having the little children come to him.  His disciples didn't understand relationship because they were looking at mission. 
     Jesus is the example of both the questioner and the answerer.  (Yes, it's a word.)  Why is that?  Because he is God is the simple and inane answer.  The real answer was that Jesus was and is all about relationships.  Jesus was real when he interacted with people on whatever level.  He was present and not somewhere else in his mind when he interacted with people.  Jesus cared genuinely and had an urgency to touch people's hearts and heal their souls.  When was the last time you had that focus when talking with someone?  The body of Christ is made up of many parts.  When they or you check out the whole body loses.  The loss of one saint in the church is criminal.  We are charged to be Jesus to the world and don't even take the time to be Jesus to our spouses and children. 
     Ask the different question.  Get different answers.  Look for the unsaid or unexpected.  If you ask the same question, you will get the same answer.  Jesus asked Peter 3 times if he loved him.  The intent and nature of the questions are seen in Peter's answers.  It wasn't until answer number three that we actually believe that Peter will do what he said he would do.  Jesus waited for the different answer when he asked the same question.  What is Jesus asking you?  What is your answer?