Readers are Leaders

"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body."  -Joseph Addison

The longer I live the more I realize that it is human nature to want to take the easy road.  And just like exercise requires work from the body so does reading; moreover, in the end, just like exercise, reading will benefit the mind.  I can't think of a better example of this than my Mom.  Because her birthday was on the 16th of June, I decided to honor her on this issue.  She passed away four years ago.  As a child, I can remember her reading to me.  In fact, I think she read to me while I was in here belly, and  I say that because there are things I know today that I can't explain why I know them.  Things I've never studied.  She was an avid reader and learner.  She was what you would call a speed reader.  She once read through the entire encyclopedia in college just because she could and she never scored below an "A" in her studies.  She also wrote curriculum for the State of Texas. 

Abraham Lincoln once said, "Reader are Leaders," and I believe that is true.  It is said that Abraham Lincoln went to school a total of 18 months throughout his childhood, yet he went enough to learn to read.  He was then self taught by reading books he borrowed and found.  It is said that he found law books in a trash bin and began to study those books.  We know the rest of the story.  He eventually became a lawyer, served in Congress and then our President.  As a child, I despised reading, but not because my Mom didn't do her job, I was just lazy.  However, the more I've matured the more I have come to enjoy reading.  In fact, I sometimes ask myself why I didn't start sooner. 

My friend, will you come to the realization that reading is important, and just as important is the content which you read.  It is said that George Washington read the Bible and prayed everyday without fail at 9 o'clock.  All the great leaders of old were readers.  George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and so many more; leaders from every aspect of life.  Just like we need physical exercise to keep the body healthy, we need reading to keep our minds strong and growing.  I cannot close without saying that it is important for us as Christians to read the Bible if we intend to finish our race strong.  The Bible is to our spirit what food is to our body.
"The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge."  Proverbs 18:15