Chime! Chime! Chime! During the weekdays, not more than a dozen blocks from our house, children arrive and begin their day at the local Catholic church and school. And when I’m lucky, I happen to open my door or step out on my back steps and hear the church bells ringing in a new school day, signaling the time to begin.
I don’t know their schedule, but I like to think they are starting with moments of worship and prayer. I like to think that as they hear the chiming of the bells, they are gathering to acknowledge the Creator of the world around them, gathering to say prayers to their heavenly Father.
I know for me, when the rich ring of the beginning bell wafts through the air and meets my listening ear, I hear a call to worship. I hear my Father saying, “Think of me! Think of me!”
And I do. I think of Him. I think of the glory of the morning and of the world around me. I think of how worthy He is to be praised. I think of how blessed I am to have such a loving and faithful heavenly Father. I think of Him, I think of Him…
On days that I’m caught up in something else and miss hearing the ringing of the bells, I still feel the call to worship my Lord as I look at the beauty of His creation or as I think of blessings He has poured into my life. Each work of beauty, each sound of nature, each blessing He has granted is like a church bell chiming, “Think of me! Think of me!”
How about you? What calls you to worship? What calls you to think of Him? Whatever it is, take time to answer His call. Take time to think of Him.
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? …O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Psalm 8:3-4, 9
*Flickr photo by vxla, Creative Commons License
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Church bells make me smile. I am always called to worship by beauty, whether in nature, an act of service, or my sweet boys smiling faces. I think God taps us repeatedly each day to remember him in praise.
Thanks for the timely reminder – again! You always seem to know what I need from God’s heart. I will, indeed, think often of Him today, especially in the ordinary things around me I hear & see. Blessings back to you!
We live right up the road from a church. The ringing of the bells is always so soothing to me!
I am always called to worship by the beauty of the earth…God’s creation.
Blessings…
Almost always a walk outside calls me to worship!
When I was growing up, I lived in a small town with a local college. It had bells that rang on the hour and half-hour. At 5:00 PM, hymns would play. You could here the bells throughout the town. I knew when the hymns started playing, dinner was fast approaching. I remember running home on more than one occasion.
Ah, the days before a cell phone call from mom!
peace~elaine
I live near a school that has bells that chime throughout the day. When I’m listening, windows and/or doors open, I’m drawn into worship as well. The bells also remind me of times spent visiting my grandmother when I was a little girl. She lived in a small town and I was always intrigued by the bells.
Church bells are almost a thing of the past. I love how the sound rings out for all to hear…reminds me of God’s love for all people and how He longs for them to know Him.
Ladies, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. Have loved hearing about how church bells — and worship — have touched your lives.
In the beauty of the early morning sky – I see His invitation to acknowledge Him for who He is, and a call to join Him as I start another new day.
I wish there were some church bells ringing close by, I would love that.
Church bells anywhere are a great comfort and call my attention to God.