How Are You Using Your Extra Day?

Today is a rare day. One that only occurs every four years during what we call “leap year.” It’s February 29th.

Honestly, I’ve never quite understood it. Wikipedia says it occurs “to keep the calendar year synchronized with the astronomical year or seasonal year.” Got that?

Then there’s a long explanation about the Julian calendar and the Gregorian calendar. And some error in an algorithm. Regardless, I just accept and enjoy an extra day every four years.

What are you going to do today? Anything special?

NPR asked its listeners “How can you make the most of leap day?”

Katheryn Jager and her fiancé are “taking the leap” and getting married in a small, family ceremony in their backyard. Interestingly, it’s the fourth year anniversary of their first date.

Jager then offered this piece of advice. “Think about that extra that you can give or that extra that you can do, and enjoy that bonus day that we only get once every four years.”

Think about it. What can you do today that you’ve put off or neglected?

Maybe your need to renew your 2024 resolutions that may have been broken. Set aside. Or just forgotten. It’s never too late to begin again.

How about doing something special today for a family member? Your husband. Wife. Children. Parents. A favorite aunt or uncle. It might be a meal. A flower. A gift. A little extra effort to help. Or simply an out of state phone call to say, “Just thinking about you and wanted to say I love you.”

Is there a person you can call, visit or write that would be encouraged by your sincere concern?

Maybe it’s a financial donation you’ve intended to make, but haven’t “gotten around to it.” Write a check today to that club. College. Charity. Organization. Or individual that could use your support.

Maybe today, you want to take the day off, slow down, and do nothing. Why not make it a self-care, indulge care, hobby day,” wrote Emeka Barclay. “For me, that feels like a day of no social media, no newsfeeds, no politics… I just know that whatever I do, it will be a free day for me.

Today might be a good time to take a walk. Enjoy nature. Take a drive in the country. Watch a sunset. Read a book. Spend extra time in prayer. Reflect on God’s goodness. Spend some time in meditative Bible reading.

Regardless of how you choose to spend “leap day,” following Moses’ advice is always good. “So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Ps. 90:12). The Message paraphrases this verse: “Oh! Teach us to live well! Teach us to live wisely and well!”

Living wisely and well, calls for us to recognize that God is the Giver of life. To remember that we are accountable and responsible for how we live and use our days. And to realize that life is brief and fleeting.

Today, to paraphrase Emerson, “write it on your heart that this day is the best day of year.” Because it’s the only day you have.

“Enjoy today. It is one of the ‘good old days’ you will miss in the future,” quipped author Etta Sawyer.

Regardless of how you use your “leap day,” may we appreciate and apply the words of the Psalmist. “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman