A Bonus’ Bonus

I grew up in the Midwest, where February is a drab, tiresome month between winter and spring. There’s usually dirty snow sitting in patches of mud. And the skies are often hazy grey.

When my oldest sister, Nichole, was four years old, my dad noticed her listlessness and discouragement during the overcast days near the end of January. Wanting to cheer her, he formed a plan.

On February 1st, he enthusiastically announced to Nichole that this was the first day of “February Month.” And because this was such a special day, he had a present just for her. Furthermore, she would receive a present every day during February Month.

Nichole was delighted and looked forward to the stickers, erasers, balloons, and other February Month presents she received. By the time I came along, February Month was a well-established, eagerly-anticipated month of bonuses—a gift for every day!

On leap year, the bonus of February month delivered a bonus of its own—a twenty-ninth present. Out of the 366 days of every leap year, February 29 was definitely my most anticipated!

My dad has kept the February Month tradition for over thirty years—even mailing boxes of wrapped gifts across the country and overseas. I still look forward to February and these tokens of his love. And I still am happy that this particular year delivers a twenty-ninth present!

I write this on the 29th—the day when I will receive the bonus of a bonus. And, just between you and me, I’m looking forward to it.

But I am convinced that for the child of God, every day is February. Every day is a gift. Every day is loaded with benefits.

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.—Psalm 68:19

The love of God in providing and extending salvation is an incredible bonus. And then to realize that every day the God of our salvation delivers extra gifts…well, that’s a bonus’ bonus!

And it’s a bonus that I want to anticipate and thank Him for every day of the year.