Lent Day 35, Tuesday, Mar 23, 2021

“Read for One Hour”

Did you READ that? A few seconds are out of the way! I guess we are always reading something, but why do read? Are we reading for content or understanding? Do we read for pleasure, allowing ourselves to be mentally stimulated, distracted from worry, and inspired for something more?

We know that reading is crucial in child development. The more a child reads the more fluent they become. But what about teenagers or adults? Medical science has shown that our brain needs mental stimulation to help foster emotional, physical, and of course, mental wellness.

There’s more, too! In addition to increasing knowledge, daily reading expands our vocabulary and improves our memory. Trouble focusing? Try reading! It helps build the capacity to concentrate and reduce stress! Not only that, reading is inexpensive (and often free)!

Yes, we probably read social media and websites daily, but scrolling isn’t quite the same for improving our minds (except for daily devotions like this)! What benefit is most appealing to you? What book is sitting on the shelf that you never began? Today is the day to make time for ourselves and nurture our body’s control center.

Schedule an hour to read a book today. We can do this!

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 2:12, NRSV).