Thirty days hath September,
April, June, and November,
All the rest have thirty-one,
Except February, twenty-eight days clear,
And twenty-nine in each leap year.
That strange awkward “extra” day has arrived again. Because of the earth’s travels around the sun, every four years we add a day to our February calendar. On one hand this reminds us of our very small place in a very large Universe, set up by a Creator who fine-tuned it in such a way that human (and animal and plant) life can be sustained. On the other hand, it’s just another day, albeit an awkward one, if you’re not sure if it’s still February or if we’ve gone on to March.
A quick internet search brings us to these notable February 29 events:
“Beginning this day in 1992, the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina held a referendum on independence that won almost unanimous support, and on March 3 independence was proclaimed, prompting shelling by Serbian forces.”
“The Return of the King—the last installment in the film adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy The Lord of the Rings —received 11 Academy Awards, tying the record held by Ben-Hur (1959) and Titanic (1997).” (2004)
At the age of 51, Canadian hockey player Gordie Howe becomes the first to score 800 goals in the NHL.” (1980)*
None of these events have dramatically impacted my life, but I distinctly remember one February 29 event: the memorial service for my father-in-law. He had suffered for two years from increasing memory loss and other symptoms that were later diagnosed as Lewy Body Dementia. After an arduous few weeks in a nursing home, he was released to full life in heaven with his Savior, and we celebrated his life with family and friends. So, for me, February 29 isn’t just an “awkward day” in the calendar. It’s an opportunity to remember a godly and loving man.
Today, let us rejoice in those who have gone before us, showing us God.
God,
Thank you for the perfect ways in which you fine-tuned the universe so that humans, animals, and plants could live. From the careful placing of the earth in the solar system, to her perfect magnetic and gravitational fields, to the delicate balance of life you have designed, we thank you for your loving care in our world. We thank you that even in “awkward” times, you are present, always calling us to your Love and Voice. You are our God who we trust, who has saved us and we rejoice and are glad in your salvation. Today we gratefully remember those who are graduated to heaven now, but whose lives have helped to shape ours toward you. We rejoice because great were their rewards in heaven, and we pray you will continue to shape our lives. By the power of Holy Spirit, may we be continually molded into the image of Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray, AMEN.
“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. (Luke 6:23 NIV)
Surely this is our God;
we trusted in him, and he saved us.
This is the Lord, we trusted in him;
let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation. (Isaiah 25:9 NIV)
Open for me the gates of the righteous;
I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.
This is the gate of the Lord
through which the righteous may enter.
I will give you thanks, for you answered me;
you have become my salvation.
The stone the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone;
the Lord has done this,
and it is marvelous in our eyes.
The Lord has done it this very day;
let us rejoice today and be glad. (Psalm 118:19-24 NIV)
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (Romans 8:29 NIV)
*https://www.britannica.com/on-this-day/February-29