When I was single I found that the state of my car provided a mirror to my life. When a hectic schedule reigned, the clutter and dust would accumulate, increasingly so as winter wore on. A couple of warm spring days would do wonders for both my car and my soul as the sun beckoned me outside to give them attention. Since I’ve been married, the car has not been mine to claim. We’re a single car couple, which is doable given Holland’s networks of bike paths and public transport, and the mirror has moved inside to my home
It’s been a cold winter and I’m ready for the arrival of spring. As the grey skies lift and the doors are opened, the stacks of paper, the worked-in grime and the cobwebbed corners begin to call out to me, reminding me of the wisdom of a spring cleaning ritual.
The high point of Lent coincides with the Passover Festival, before which our Jewish sisters still sweep and shake and polish their houses spotless. By the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, no yeast—which is symbolic of sin—is anywhere to be found.
I wonder if our spring cleaning tradition can be traced back to this ritual, borrowed from our grandmothers’ Jewish neighbors across Europe. Spring—lente [pronounced lént-uh] in Dutch—extends an invitation to give fresh attention to both our homes and our souls. We could even think of Lent as offering a spring cleaning for the soul.
As the spring breezes blow, I feel ready to tackle the grime and clutter in my home. Likewise my soul benefits from the renewed attention and fresh practices prompted by Lent coinciding with spring.
As the sun beckons me into my garden where I prune away what’s left of last summer’s growth, I consider what needs to be trimmed away within me. As I plant spring flowers, I’m reminded that God delights in new life blossoming in my heart. On some days I head out for a walk to add movement to my morning prayers. On others I pack my lunch, Bible and journal and seek out a bench under the sun in the park just a bike ride away. The sun and the warmth prompt me to take more time for reflection and to breathe in purifying grace.
Join the Conversation
How do you respond spiritually to the changing season?
As we are now halfway through Lent, how might the change of weather bring freshness to your chosen Lenten practices?
Elizabeth de Smaele is a certified spiritual director, raised and trained in Canada but living in The Netherlands. The founder of Deeper Devotion Ministry, Elizabeth specializes in individual spiritual direction and interactive workshops in contemplative spirituality. Her newest initiative is Getaway with God weekends, guided retreats for women.
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