a simplehearted faith

i see it every now and then... glimpses of it in anna and sometimes even ethan... and it hits me. that's what it looks like.... that's what jesus is talking about.... that is what i am called to...

a childlike faith.

God continues to open and close doors, confirming each step of the way that He is moving and growing us! and yet, while especially the thought of getting to be a part of opening a nursing school here is something that should have me wrapped up in excitement, i find myself often nervous, apprehensive, leery of what this change will bring, and mostly scared that i will somehow mess up what God is doing. God has taught me and continues to teach me many things through this whole process - a lot of "His ways are higher than our ways" stuff! - but the other day, i read this scripture and one phrase in particular stuck with me...

"The LORD protects the simplehearted {"those of childlike faith" in the New Living translation}; when I was in great need, he saved me." Psalm 116:6

simplehearted. how often i come to God with all my worries and the pieces of this puzzle that i have been trying to figure out... i do my christian thing and lay them all before Him, only to pick them up as my prayer time ends and carry them with me as i head on my way.

yet, again, i watch my daughter. she laughs and plays, exploring the world around her daily as if the cares of the world are far from anything she will ever have to worry about. she comes to aaron and i daily, full of questions, eager to learn... not because she is scared she is going to fail a test we have for her at the end of the day or week or year, but because she wants to be a part of the world around her... because to her it is still a great adventure, a world of treasure waiting to be discovered. and because we are the people - her mother and father - who God has placed before her to help her navigate, to help her discover, to help guide her, holding her back with discipline when necessary and excitedly showing her the wonder before her when there is something she should dive into.

i know we are adults, parents, people with jobs and responsibilities. the projects that God is opening before us are going to take a lot of work, a lot of perseverance, a lot of grace, a lot of communication, a lot of planning and creativity, and a lot of just "doing what needs to be done whether we feel like it or not!" but we are also children.... right?

and as anna - who with childlike faith wakes up every morning excited to be a part of something bigger than herself, looking for her place to fit in and help out, aware that she is not going to do this all on her own (although, her independent streak and strong toddler will does often challenge this aspect!), excitedly asking questions, watching the world around her with wonder, and learning to listen to our voices as her guide on this journey - i too hope to approach my own Father and life this way... choosing to let the worries and the pieces of the puzzle stay at jesus' feet beyond just my daily prayer times and instead coming to God with a childlike wonder, asking Him questions about what is on His heart and what He is doing, and seeking to learn better how to hear His voice in place of my own.

there are lots of pieces still missing in all these doors that God is opening - a 24 hour acute care center, a nursing school, a dorm... as well as the aspects of ministry life that are already in place - medical, aviation and agricultural work. and there are lot's of different ways to get involved. if you are interested in learning more about any of the things that God is doing here and how you can plug in, please feel free to contact me in any of the following ways: leave a comment here, email me at kseleiott@yahoo.com, and/or Facebook (Katie Eleiott Ficker).

may God bless you richly, and may you too carry out the tasks that He has placed before you with a childlike faith and wonder a little bit today :)