Here we are ending the second week of Lent. I'm still struggling to get my rhythm.

I've seen several memes this year, encouraging people to de-clutter during Lent. The simpler version invites you to identify forty things you can give away. The more ambitious version asks you to fill forty bags (of any size) for donation.

Now, I have to admit that I could easily identify forty things I could give away (though forty bags would be a bit much!).

Lent is a good time to work on de-cluttering. It helps to break our attachment to things and focus on what's really important. It encourages us to live with less and e generous to those in need.

On a more practical level, de-cluttering before spring cleaning is very helpful. The deep cleaning that is the basis of spring cleaning is so much easier when you don't have to move a ton of things to clean under them.

One of the temptations I have is to take one day and gather my forty things and call it finished! But that doesn't achieve the purpose. My major goal in Lent is to become more intentional in the way I live, thinking about my relationship with God, the people around me (both near and far), and the earth. That goal isn't achieved with the work of a single afternoon — or even a busy weekend.

Taking a small bit of time each day to identify a possession you no longer need and that others could use is a much better way of developing that intentionality. Each day, it brings your mind back to the purpose of Lent — to re-orient your priorities to focus on what's most important.

I don't know about you, but I need that daily reminder.