One year ago, I was facing Lent — again. I was ready to repeat my annual routine: no sweets, no complaining, extra prayer, and the usual fasting and abstinence. I realized, though, that I wasn’t growing or being challenged. I decided to find a practice that would remind me daily of this penitential season and join me to Jesus’ sacrifice of giving his life for others. What if I gave away one thing a day for the forty days of Lent? I wanted to live a more simple lifestyle both for spiritual reasons and to declutter my life. I decided to take this on as a challenge, hoping it would clean out not only my closets but also my soul.

I started my Lenten giveaway with shoes. I am not a big shoe collector, or so I thought. According to Soles4Souls (see soles4souls.org), the average American owns fourteen pairs of shoes. I figured I was under that and could go lower. Wrong! When I added up my shoes, it came to thirty pairs! I was horrified! I pruned it down to fourteen. I moved on to clothing. I had many clothes that I seldom wear. I discovered that I had enough extras to give more than one thing away each day and could go by categories. I started with the letter “s” (shirts, skirts, suits, slacks, sweaters, and scarves) and gathered up all the old-fashioned or makes-me-look-fat garments. I pulled out about seven items for each “s” and created some breathing room in my closet. I felt pretty good about pruning but ran into a problem.

At first, I just collected my intended giveaways in a corner. But then my stuff started over-flowing and getting in the way. In addition to giving things to charities, neighbors, and friends, I discovered Freecycle (see freecycle.org) and Vietnam Veterans of America (pickupforvets.org) who pick up at your home. My most satisfying experience was trying to get rid of an adult potty seat, the one item not claimed in my “free yard sale.” A woman was going to visit an elderly neighbor, saw the seat, and said: “The lady I’m visiting could use that!” She picked it up and went happily on her way.

What does this have to do with Lent and spirituality? I harkened back to my early religious education, remembering that Sunday is not an official day of Lent. It is a day of rest and rejoicing, not penance. I decided not to give away anything on Sundays, but rather to use the time to ponder how this experience was changing me. Was I becoming less attached? Was it a holy sacrifice or simply a way to clean my house? Just as Jesus was stripped of his clothes before his crucifixion, I found myself stripping away excess clothing and household items to focus on what’s most important in life: being generous and caring for those in need.

Although I haven’t achieved total humility, I did stretch myself to think daily about the abundance I have instead of what I lack. I’m more aware of how to share what I have with others, even if it pinches. I remind myself that my importance is not dependent on what I own. I feel more solidarity with those who are economically poor. I now shop differently. When tempted to buy something because it is such a bargain, I consider: Do I really need this? Is it something that I will eventually give away? Is there someone who needs it more than me? Can I buy it for them? Remember, eventually we all return to dust. The stuff of our lives just collects dust and makes it harder to prepare for that final journey.

Note: Susan Vogt is a regular contributor to Bringing Home the Word. A new edition of this electronic newsletter for families is posted every week on our website (see link below).

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