There are memories from childhood that stay with you long after you grow up. One of mine is seeing my dad awake before dawn while the rest of the house was still quiet. Every morning, he would sit with his Bible and the writings of Ellen White, sing a hymn softly, kneel in prayer, and spend time with God.
As a child, I honestly didn’t understand it. In my young mind, I would think, “It’s still so nice to sleep… why would someone wake up this early just to read?” Sleep felt far more appealing than morning worship.
But my dad was very consistent. Around 5:30 in the morning, he would wake us up for family worship. Sometimes he even sprinkled a little water on our faces just to make sure we got up, which, of course, irritated us as kids! Still, he patiently reminded us every day about the importance of spending time with God’s Word.
It wasn’t until my senior high school and college years that I began to understand what he was trying to teach us. His example slowly shaped my own habits. Today, I often find myself waking up early as much as I can to read my Bible and pray. There is something special about those quiet early moments. When I consecrate my day to God in the morning, His presence feels especially near the entire day.
In the Bible, Proverbs 22:6 in the King James Version (KJV) states: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it“. This verse advises parents to provide godly instruction and moral guidance, suggesting that a strong foundation in truth will have lasting effects on a child’s life.
In every family there should be a fixed time for morning and evening worship. How appropriate it is for parents to gather their children about them before the fast is broken, to thank the heavenly Father for His protection during the night, and to ask Him for His help and guidance and watchcare during the day! How fitting, also, when evening comes, for parents and children to gather once more before Him and thank Him for the blessings of the day that is past!—(Testimonies for the Church 7:43.)
Consecrate yourself to God in the morning; make this your very first work. Let your prayer be, “Take me, O Lord, as wholly Thine. I lay all my plans at Thy feet. Use me today in Thy service. Abide with me, and let all my work be wrought in Thee.” This is a daily matter. Each morning consecrate yourself to God for that day. Surrender all your plans to Him, to be carried out or given up as His providence shall indicate. Thus day by day you may be giving your life into the hands of God, and thus your life will be molded more and more after the life of Christ.—(Steps to Christ, 70).
Reading has always been more than just a hobby—it can be a powerful tool for personal growth, mental well-being, and spiritual development. Research supports the value of reading as a meaningful activity that contributes to psychological health. Studies have shown that recreational reading can reduce psychological distress among college students and support emotional well-being (Levine et al., 2022). Because of its accessibility and simplicity, reading can serve as a practical and cost-effective way to cope with daily stress and mental health challenges.
Reading printed books also offers several practical benefits. When individuals read hard copy books, they are less likely to be distracted by notifications and other digital interruptions that commonly occur when using electronic devices. This enables deeper concentration and reflective thinking, both of which are essential for learning and comprehension. In addition, frequent reading helps broaden vocabulary and improve language development, which strengthens communication and academic skills (Krashen, 2004).
Another advantage of reading physical books is its positive effect on sleep and rest. Electronic devices emit blue light that can interfere with the body’s natural circadian rhythm, making it more difficult to fall asleep (Chang et al., 2015). In contrast, reading printed materials before bedtime can help relax the mind and prepare the body for rest especially when you want to sleep before 8:00 o’clock in the evening.
Beyond these cognitive and physical benefits, reading also has the ability to shape character and deepen spiritual understanding. Meaningful reading exposes individuals to wise counsel, principles, and experiences that guide life decisions and personal growth. According to Ellen G. White, carefully chosen reading materials can elevate the mind, strengthen moral character, and nurture spiritual life (White, 2002). Through good books, readers can learn not only how to live wisely and successfully but also how to remain spiritually grounded and anchored in God.
Looking back, I realize that my father’s quiet morning devotion was more than a routine—it was a living example of faith, discipline, and love for God. Combined with the benefits of reading, it shows how small daily habits, when practiced consistently, can profoundly shape our minds, hearts, and spiritual lives. My father wasn’t just waking us up for worship—he was planting seeds of faith that would grow in our hearts later in life. I thank God for all of these.
References
Chang, A.-M., Aeschbach, D., Duffy, J. F., & Czeisler, C. A. (2015). Evening use of light-emitting eReaders negatively affects sleep, circadian timing, and next-morning alertness. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 112(4), 1232–1237. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1418490112
Krashen, S. D. (2004). The power of reading: Insights from the research (2nd ed.). Libraries Unlimited.
Levine, S. L., Cherrier, S., Holding, A. C., & Koestner, R. (2022). For the love of reading: Recreational reading reduces psychological distress in college students and autonomous motivation is the key. Journal of American College Health, 70(1), 158–164. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2020.1728280
White, E. G. (2002). Education. Pacific Press Publishing Association. (Original work published 1903)
White, E. G. (2000). Testimonies for the church (Vol. 7). Pacific Press. (Original work published 1948)
White, E. G. (2001). Steps to Christ. Pacific Press. (Original work published 1892)
