added delay_seconds parameter to run_pending

schedule/__init__.py

@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ class Scheduler(object):
     def __init__(self) -> None:
         self.jobs: List[Job] = []
 
-    def run_pending(self) -> None:
+    def run_pending(self, delay_seconds: int = 0) -> None:
         """
         Run all jobs that are scheduled to run.
 
@@ -94,10 +94,17 @@ def run_pending(self) -> None:
         that should run every minute and you only call run_pending()
         in one hour increments then your job won't be run 60 times in
         between but only once.
+
+        A delay of `delay` seconds is added between each job. This helps
+        distribute system load generated by the jobs more evenly
+        over time.
+
+        :param delay_seconds: A delay added between every executed job
         """
         runnable_jobs = (job for job in self.jobs if job.should_run)
         for job in sorted(runnable_jobs):
             self._run_job(job)
+            time.sleep(delay_seconds)
 
     def run_all(self, delay_seconds: int = 0) -> None:
         """
@@ -773,11 +780,11 @@ def every(interval: int = 1) -> Job:
     return default_scheduler.every(interval)
 
 
-def run_pending() -> None:
+def run_pending(delay_seconds: int = 0) -> None:
     """Calls :meth:`run_pending <Scheduler.run_pending>` on the
     :data:`default scheduler instance <default_scheduler>`.
     """
-    default_scheduler.run_pending()
+    default_scheduler.run_pending(delay_seconds=delay_seconds)
 
 
 def run_all(delay_seconds: int = 0) -> None: