February: A Small Month

I can hardly believe that we are already at the beginning of the second month of 2017.  One month down, and 11 more to go even though I am still adjusting to writing 2017 on checks and my correspondence.    February is not only the second month of the year, but it is the shortest month.

  Legend has it that it originally had 30 days.  That changed when Roman Emperor Julius Caesar took a day from February so that the month named after him (July) would have 31 days.  Roman Emperor  Caesar Augustus did not want the month named after him (August) to be shorter than the month named after Julius Caesar so he also took a day from February and made August have 31 days.  If that legend is correct, it was the ego of those Roman Emperors that is behind February having only 28 days.

   While February is the shortest month of the year,  there are some important things we observe in those 28 days.  There is Presidents Day when we remember Presidents Washington and Lincoln;  there is also Valentines Day when we show and tell people we love them on February 14.    I believe that February also in Black History month.    I am certain there are many other special days in February such as birthdays of people we love  (several persons in my own family) and other days of observance.  You see, the importance of a month and  many other things is not always found in their quantity. 

    Just as a small,short month called February can  have importance with only 28 days, Jesus certainly emphasized  the importance of small things.   One lost sheep was important enough for a shepherd to seek out and leave the 99 sheep behind;  one lost coin was important enough for a woman to diligently search for even though she had 9 other coins.   The small gift by  a widow to the temple treasury was considered much greater than the gifts of the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts of antiquity.  In the kingdom of God,  small things mean  a lot. 

     As this new month of February commences, embrace the joy and blessing of each of its 28 days.  And find meaning in the fact that though there may be times when you believe your gifts and talents might be smaller or shorter than the month of  February, we serve a mighty and amazing God.    Have a joy-filled day and month.-  Pastor Randy Wall

Prayer:  O God, we celebrate that in the kingdom of God no talent, no month, and no person is too small to matter.    Use me and what I have in your work and will; through Christ our Lord.  Amen.