GOT JUNK?

Cleaning out his mother’s basement after her recent move, Max found a lot of cool things—old letters, forgotten toys from his childhood, pictures, and well . . . junk. Things his mother thought she might need someday. Useful things stacked on shelves and gathering dust. Max spent days of sorting, choosing what to save, what to give away, and what to pitch. His experience made me wonder what my kids would think one day going through my treasures.

There are two lines of thought here. One is that it’s payback time for your kids for all the years you sifted through their things and picked up after them. The other is that you don’t want anyone to know what a packrat you were. The lazy side of me tends to like the first choice. Out of sight, out of mind—closet shelves that sag with the weight of my stash of goods.

There’s something in me, though, that feels I should get more organized. Heaven knows, a lot of my stuff still has a little life in it and could be put to good use. Clothes that aren’t totally out of date, sewing supplies that a crafter would like, old luggage that a thrift shop client might take a shine to.

Today, I tackled the closet in the spare room. Three piles: trash, give away, keep. I’m not through yet, but I am glad to say that the first two piles were bigger than what went back into the closet.

I think I may start on my spiritual closet next. What junk am I hanging onto in there? Grudges? Pride in my own accomplishments? Selfishness? What could I be giving away? My time? A donation to a food pantry? Support for a mission project? A kind word to the overworked checker at the grocery store? Off the top of my head, I’d say I have plenty of work to do.

How about you? Got junk? Tell me your closet cleaning secrets.