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Around our house, it feels like time for a little spring cleaning.
Now that Lent is over and we have celebrated the resurrection of Jesus, we have moved into the Easter season. Our hearts are full of joy, the days are full of sunshine and it is a perfect time to get our home in order.
With so many people experiencing hard times, we have even more reason to be vigilant about cleaning out closets and drawers and bookshelves. By giving away the items we no longer need, we help others while we make our home more beautiful.
In a homily, St. Basil reflected on the theme of keeping more than we need: The coat, which you guard in your locked storage-chests, belongs to the naked; the footwear mouldering in your closet belongs to those without shoes. Spring cleaning takes on new meaning when we look at our closets with these words ringing in our ears.
So many items can be used by others. Books, household items, school supplies, toys, electronics and clothing can all find new homes where they will be used instead of being stored for months or years. It takes only the smallest bit of research to find a homeless shelter, literacy program, clothing cupboard or Goodwill that will gladly accept any donation we are willing to give.
Spring is a good time to re-evaluate which items God is calling us to let go. As we see our children’s arms and legs grow and their minds expand, we realize that they will no longer need the outgrown clothing or the young reader books. Sometimes it is hard to let go of the old, but keeping St. Basil’s words in mind can help me to be more generous about giving things away. They no longer belong to me. They belong to those who are without these things.
