What Will You Do with the Time You’ve Been Given?

Feb 29

Parents are standing on their feet, screaming, yelling, willing their kids to push down the court. The boys run, wiping sweat as they go, remembering everything they’ve been taught. The score is 20 – 20. Each team just one goal away from victory.

The coaches stand on the sidelines, leaning over the court, praying for no missteps or trip-ups. The seconds count down from 10. 9. 8. One team breaks away with the ball. 7. 6. 5. The smallest player is the surest dribbler, but he passes to the tall, lanky one in the middle. 4. 3. 2. He turns to shoot. 1. And the buzzer sounds right before the ball even leaves his hands. The perfect swoosh wasn’t counted – the time was up.

If only they’d been given extra time.

Extra time would have won the game. Have you ever wondered what you’d do with extra time? It was 45 B.C. when Julius Caesar instituted leap year – adding one day to the calendar in February. Since the year was a bit less than 365.25 days long, it made sense to add a day only every four years.

And today is leap day. So…what will you do with the extra time you’ve been given? Will you use it to win the game?

Here’s one suggestion.

See how you can get involved with Children’s HopeChest. It’s the featured service organization for Sheep to the Right this month. Here is some information about them straight from their website:

Our purpose…

Children’s HopeChest connects Christian communities in the U.S. and Canada with impoverished communities of orphans overseas. This unique “community-to-community” sponsorship leverages the power of one community of Christians making a long-term, transformational impact on a community of orphans and vulnerable children.

Ultimately, these relationships and resources empower orphans to survive, thrive, and succeed within their home culture.

Our countries…

HopeChest has over 100 active partnerships in Russia, Swaziland, South Africa, Ethiopia, Uganda, Haiti, Guatemala, Moldova, and India. Partnering with an international community allows you to experience deep levels of compassion.  You will learn joy beyond circumstance and greater dependence and faith in God.  This real relationship will transform your community as you transform theirs.

Our partners…

Children’s HopeChest works with hundreds of communities across the United States and Canada each year. HopeChest partners primarily with churches, businesses and Christian communities such as blogs, online groups, book clubs, and small groups. These sponsoring communities are providing help, training, and discipleship for over 10,000 orphans.

You may choose to sponsor an orphan through Children’s HopeChest, or perhaps you are interested in getting your church or other group involved in sponsoring a specific orphanage overseas. Or maybe this leap day, you want to make a difference by making a one-time donation. You can do that, too. Click HERE to make a secure donation.

However God leads you today, make a difference with the time you’ve been given.

‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40 NIV

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  • Alan Feb 29 at 4:24 pm

    The legacy of Shawn will continue to amaze me. Being reminded we aren’t promised tomorrow, has really opened my ears as to how many times I am guilty of saying “when we have more time,” or “when we have more money we’ll do that.”

    I realize I need to trust God and “go for it!”

  • Leah Adams Feb 29 at 5:27 pm

    Sounds like a wonderful organization. I sponsor two little girls in Tanzania through Compassion International and it is such a blessing to me.

    • Carol Feb 29 at 8:56 pm

      That’s awesome, Leah! We sponsor a girl with World Vision. 🙂

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