Spring Cleaning, Soul Searching

Wax antique trunk.

Sweep cobwebs off ceiling.

Wash and bleach all white quilts.

Those are just a few of the items on my spring cleaning list. Yes, I am writing about spring cleaning, and even I can’t get excited about it! I wish I could, but I consider vacuuming the crumbs out of my kitchen drawers to be a necessary evil, celebrated only when done.

I try to accomplish most of my spring cleaning during February, as it’s sort of the lull before the spring and summer storm of activity at our house. On school days, I manage some of the smaller tasks, such as cleaning out the kitchen junk drawer. On Saturdays, my family helps me tackle some of the larger jobs, such as taking down the ceiling light globes, washing them, and putting them back up.

I cringe as I recall how that job once took half a day or more by myself. But last Saturday, my kids and I accomplished it in less than an hour, with an efficiency that would have made Henry Ford proud. My oldest manned the stepstool and unscrewed all the glass shades and globes. My littlest brought each piece to the kitchen sink. I washed them, and my daughter dried them and handed them back to my littlest, who brought them back to his brother in time to get the next glass piece.

Soon, I’ll cross the final few chores off my list. Clean area rugs. Wash wood floors. Clean windows. After the busy days of December and the dark weeks of January, a thoroughly clean house makes the air seem lighter and brighter. My mood lifts, and even my prayers change from tired ramblings at times to more thoughtful, intentional conversations with God. Just as I take stock of all that needs to be cleaned in my home, I try to do something similar within my heart.

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. —Psalm 139:23- 24

Repent of old sins.

Set aside selfish acts.

Use kind words.

Just as spring-cleaning my house goes more smoothly and quickly with help, so does a spring cleaning of the heart. In my family, we try to encourage each other and keep each other accountable—not always as gently as we should, but with love behind the words.

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.—Ephesians 4:15

Do you do some form of spiritual spring cleaning? Who helps keep you accountable? I’d love to hear from you.