In Foster's chapter on simplicity, he identifies three inner attitudes of simplicity. "If [1.] what we have is a gift, and [2] what we have is to be cared for by God, and if [3] what we have is available to others, then we will possess freedom from anxiety. This is the inward reality of simplcity."

Much of this week's lesson was about having freedom from attachment to worldly goods. As I searched for ways on how this lesson applied to me, I remembered something that has been impressed on my mind lately. In response to this chapter, I decided to remember and apply the discipline of simplicity every time it was challenged in this way.

I found that my struggle is not so much with physical possesions as it is with my friendships. I believe I could give up all of my little treasures and be down to $0 in my bank account and still be happily praising God - it'd be hard, yes, but it wouldn't level me. However, the thought of losing intimacy I've gained in any friendship stings. If you've read my spiritual autobiography post, you know there was a time in my life when I lacked friends. Now that I have been given (oh so graciously!) so many strong relationships, my reaction is to hoard, at least in my mind. I recoil to think of my friends moving on from a friendship, or worse, replacing me. When I see others chumming with people I had hoped to become close with, a little pang of jealousy rises up. Yes, I try to squelch and smother it, but I wonder, what is fundamentally wrong with my outlook that makes me jealous of in my friendships?

Reading about simplicity, it kind of came together. Foster's first two attitudes of simplicity are the reminder that what we have is a gift, and cared for by God. I do not deserve my relationships, they are a gift, a blessing, from God. All I truly need in life is Him. God brought me through the time when it was just Him and I, in fact, I grew a lot during that time. I need to trust that God is sufficient for all of my needs and He alone knows what is best: He will provide people, He will take them away.

Foster's last check of simplicity is that what we have be available to others. My friends are not only a blessing to me, but to others as well. I need to cultivate a deeper appreciation of their gifts, and dwell on what God has for them in life. We immortals, what many paths God may lead us on before the end! Their companionship is a joy when God has led it to cross ways with mine. But God may be leading them on richer, wilder roads, so it is not mine to cling to them now. We are all like ships passing in the night, our lights bring joy to others when we pass, but we each wind our own course. What a better friend I would be if I thought more about where God is leading others, and rejoicing and discovering the beauty of who they are in Him!

The reminder also remains: I will see them in heaven, where we all shall have the freest and deepest relationships with NO barriers, no pulling back. Then we shall communicate simply with each other, for our focus will be pure and undividedly God-centered. This is simplicity: that we de-center ourselves from our lives and put God in the center of our hearts, wills, and loves.