What is God Calling You to Clear Out?

Amid the exhaustion of a move and total home renovation, Tami Urcia and her family seek renewal for the soul.

Sometimes we are capable of things we never thought humanly possible. Sometimes we have to push ourselves beyond our limits, beyond our comfort zone and power through. Sometimes feeling tired is just the beginning and utter exhaustion seems to have no end.

My husband and I are three months into a top-to-bottom renovation project on our home. An old 1930s 2-bedroom, 1- bath ranch was transformed by my father over the years into a two-story home with an auxiliary unit above the garage. My husband and I bought it five years ago and have torn down walls, stripped off every last bit of wallpaper, painted almost every square inch, redone 75% of the flooring, created a main-floor laundry, divided one large bathroom into two, engineered two bedroom closets, replaced walls and ceilings, put up built-in shelving, moved another laundry room, scoured the basement, put in central air, ... and the list goes on.

While I would love to say it has been a labor of love, in all honesty, it has been more like a labor of blood, sweat and tears … literally. With 4 small boys to take care of as well as the normal, everyday chores, most of our work is done after they are in bed. We set small goals for ourselves and work for three or four hours each night. It has been a daunting task, but I can finally say that I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Our to-do list is getting smaller and the house is looking amazing.

This whole venture has been an attempt to try something completely new for our family. We are going out on a limb, taking a risk, hoping for the best. I Corinthians 5:7 states: “Clear out the old yeast, so that you may become a fresh batch of dough.” I love this! On top of the renovations, we just moved. We literally cleared out everything, and continue to purge, toss, and give away. We hope to get more involved in ministry, live a more simplified life, listen to God’s voice in a quieter atmosphere. We hope the dough of our hearts will rise and the work of our hands will “feed” those we encounter, beginning with our own family.

We hope the dough of our hearts will rise and the work of our hands will “feed” those we encounter, beginning with our own family. #catholicmom

What is God calling you to clear out? The reading speaks of immorality, wickedness, and pride, but what is it that you struggle with personally? Perhaps it is forgiveness, confronting someone you hold a grudge against, or going to confession. Only you know what kind of spring cleaning your heart needs.

Once you take that step, that leap of faith you will truly be able to “celebrate the feast … of sincerity and truth” (I Corinthians 5:8).