12 Jan Ring, Ring and Bing, Bing…
Birds singing, people chatting, children laughing, a gentle breeze whipping through the air and rain tapping on a rooftop are some of the sounds that bring me happiness. I also enjoy quiet times when my heart and soul rest in peaceful moments. There are blessings in sounds and blessings in quiet.
Recently, my ears have been playing tricks on me. I keep thinking I hear my cell phone ringing with it’s distinct tone. Picking up the phone, I check for messages or alerts. Only trouble is lately, when I think a “ring, ring or a bing, bing” has sounded, I am wrong. Why do my ears seem tuned in to specific sounds?
My phone has been a constant companion lately. I don’t want to miss any important conversations or video chats. But, maybe, just maybe God is alerting me to pay more attention to Him than to my phone.
Am I so anxious to read a text or receive a special message that I have imagined the phone ringing or binging? Is the call or text so important that I need to stop right then and there and jump for the phone? If there truly is an emergency or something to be handled immediately, God will get my attention in other ways.
A decision has been made. I will change the alert tone on my cell phone and see what happens next.
On a side note, a funny thing did occur a few days ago. “Alan, I can’t find my phone. Do you know where I left it?” His answer was that he didn’t know the location of my phone. Silly me, it was in the pocket of the jacket I was wearing. 🙂 Now, that made me laugh at myself once again.
Are you listening for the ring or bing of your phone or are you aware of your surroundings? Don’t let opportunities pass you by. It might be time to change your ringer sound.
Have a blessed day, full of giggles,
Mimi
Jill Weatherholt
Posted at 22:23h, 12 JanuaryFortunately, I’m one of those rare individuals who hasn’t gotten addicted to my phone. It’s a necessity when it comes to keeping in contact with family and friends, since we no longer have a landline, but I don’t allow it to control my world. I’m with you, Melissa, I’d much rather spend my time with God than scrolling through my Facebook feed on my phone. Life it too short to be so consumed with what others are doing or saying. Happy New Year!
Melissa Henderson
Posted at 22:58h, 12 JanuaryYes, I believe when we become too attached to our phone, we miss great opportunities to experience God’s blessings. Have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
sudershana
Posted at 23:19h, 12 JanuaryHaha..this is an amazing read. Honestly, the cell phone is the first thing I checked after waking up & before going to bed.
This is also true sometimes it tends to control our lives, though I am a student right now so I need to lock this little ring, ring or bing in my study table drawer.
But you are right opportunities are waiting for us, it just we need to be cautious.
It’s wonderful reading it, looking forward to reading from you more often!
Melissa Henderson
Posted at 23:26h, 12 JanuaryThank you so much for your kind comments. I am trying to put my cell phone down more often. I don’t want to miss any of God’s blessings because I am focused on my phone. 🙂 It’s a process. Have a blessed weekend!
Rev. Art Stanley
Posted at 02:03h, 13 JanuaryThanks Melissa, for your ever-thoughtful ‘ponderings.Your insights are important to us. It is so easy to heed the “outer” voice that we neglect the “inward” one. Help us to LISTEN Lord, help us to listen! With appreciation, ART STANLEY
Melissa Henderson
Posted at 16:50h, 13 JanuaryThank you Art. I pray today will be a day of listening for His voice and not the sound of the beeps on the phone. 🙂 Have a blessed Sunday!
Karen
Posted at 05:08h, 13 JanuaryI love your story, Mimi. How clever! I put my phone on silent during the day when I’m at school, where I must heed school bells that announce the beginning and ending of class periods. Besides those, I try to tune my ear to the dings of the Holy Spirit. I’m purposefully turning away from all distractions to just hear His voice. Blessings, sweet friend! xoxo
Melissa Henderson
Posted at 16:51h, 13 JanuaryPutting our phones on silent can truly be helpful. Thank you for your messages and encouragement. Have a blessed Sunday dear friend! 🙂
vickie morgan
Posted at 11:32h, 13 JanuaryOh my goodness I thought I was the only one that heard a phone ringing like that! It’s the house phone that sometimes I think I hear ringing only find out that there is no call. I love gardening time or walking in the woods. I find that time is the time I hear God and block all over disturbances. Believe me no one bothers you when your gardening, they are too afraid they might have to help! If we are walking in the woods we all leave our phones in the car. Peace, wonderful peace!
mimionlife
Posted at 20:48h, 13 JanuaryI love gardening and walking outside, too. Listening to birds singing and nature sounds truly makes me happy. Have a blessed week! 🙂
drchristyw
Posted at 13:33h, 13 JanuaryGreat message Melissa. I, too am guilty of at times being more focused on my phone than I am present in a current moment. Thanks for the reminder of how precious the present is. May I savor it more and place my phone and what may or may not happen on the other end if it back in its proper place on my list of priorities!
Grateful for your wisdom,
Christy
Melissa Henderson
Posted at 16:52h, 13 JanuaryI am amazed at the blessings I experience when my phone is put aside. Right now, I am listening to rain tapping on the window. Beautiful and peaceful sound. Have a blessed day dear friend! 🙂
Marcie Cramsey
Posted at 20:26h, 13 JanuaryI have to admit my phone can be a constant companion of mine too. The thing is, it’s a friend that can make me anxious. The phone is a good thing until it becomes a bad thing. Taking breaks from it helps me hear better things, or even silence. Silence is a better companion as it helps me hear God more. Great post!
mimionlife
Posted at 20:47h, 13 JanuaryThank you Marcie. I agree, taking breaks from my phone helps me. Have a blessed week! 🙂
June Foster
Posted at 00:11h, 14 JanuaryLove this post. This is something that all of us deal with these days. Once I thought I’d lost my phone and I almost panicked. It made me realize I need to worry about keeping the Lord near than my phone!!
PS I like your nail polish!!
mimionlife
Posted at 14:11h, 14 JanuaryYes, we need to be more concerned about keeping the Lord close to us. 🙂 Glad you like the polish, but those are not my nails. haha!!! Have a blessed week dear friend.
Chip Mattis
Posted at 00:33h, 14 JanuaryHey, Mimi. I know this feeling! I get phantom buzzes in my leg where I think I have a text. Except my phone is on the shelf in the other room…it’s a little alarming. Clearly I have issues.
But yes, I need to strive for separation and freedom from my phone, from social media, etc. Good thoughts!
mimionlife
Posted at 14:12h, 14 JanuaryChip, I had to laugh when I read about the phantom buzzes in your leg. That happens to my husband and he jumps. haha! Thanks for your comments. Have a blessed week! 🙂
Linda Samaritoni, writing as Linda Sammaritan
Posted at 02:40h, 14 JanuaryI’m not married to my phone. BUT other people get annoyed when I don’t have it with me so I don’t return their texts,, calls, etc. immediately. Any opinions on cell phone etiquette?
mimionlife
Posted at 14:13h, 14 JanuaryLinda,you are setting a good example by not being married to your phone. 🙂 Phone etiquette is something many people need to learn about. 🙂 Have a blessed week!
Linda Samaritoni, writing as Linda Sammaritan
Posted at 00:59h, 15 JanuaryThank you.
Yvonne
Posted at 14:13h, 14 JanuaryThanks Melissa. This really struck a nerve because I tend to do the same thing with my phone. In fact, as I read through your blog, I saw a notification of an email and I was tempted to stop and go read it. Maybe God is reminding me through your blog to put away the distractions.
mimionlife
Posted at 14:16h, 14 JanuaryYvonne, I love how God can remind us about things in many different ways, including blog posts. 🙂 Have a blessed week! 🙂
Jessica Brodie
Posted at 15:53h, 14 JanuaryThis definitely resonates!! I do the same, ha!
mimionlife
Posted at 16:28h, 14 JanuaryThanks for reading and commenting. Have a blessed week! 🙂
Julie Loos
Posted at 19:08h, 14 JanuaryI’ve done that (phone in the pocket and frantically looking for it) many times! While technology is useful, I think it creates stress and keeps us too preoccupied during the day. Great post!
mimionlife
Posted at 21:37h, 14 JanuaryThank you Julie. Amazing how quickly we can start to rely on our phone. Have a blessed week! 🙂
Christina Dronen
Posted at 21:22h, 14 JanuaryThat’s happened to me too. It seems moreso when I am anticipating something or even anxious. I know I’m on my electronics too much & try to be on them less – it’s tricky when some of your work is online.
I love your thought – I think God is calling all of us to pay more attention to Him!!
mimionlife
Posted at 21:38h, 14 JanuaryThank you Christina. Yes, I think I am on my phone too much. I am trying to change. Have a blessed week! 🙂
Stephen De La Vega
Posted at 00:50h, 15 JanuaryThis reminds me of when I’d been getting lots of texts while I drive because my phone connects to my car. Well, they’d come in and my wife would wonder who’s sending me all those texts. Turns out most of them were Twitter notifications of retweets from my wonderful Twitter community. I finally turned off the notifications and all is calm now. 😊
mimionlife
Posted at 14:25h, 15 JanuarySometimes turning off the notifications can be a very good thing. 🙂 Thanks for commenting. Have a blessed week! 🙂
Emily Saxe | To Unearth
Posted at 14:35h, 15 JanuaryI can relate! It’s so easy to become addicted to checking your phone. I keep mine on silent and often leave it purposefully in other rooms to help with this!
mimionlife
Posted at 15:15h, 16 JanuaryI like the idea of leaving my phone in other rooms so I won’t be tempted to check it every few minutes. Thanks for the tip. 🙂 Have a blessed week!
thisgratefulmama
Posted at 19:15h, 15 JanuaryThis is so relatable, for a phone noise or other sounds. When our children were babies, I thought I heard their cries in the white noise of fans, and even in the silence. I definitely agree we can become attuned to certain sounds we’re focused or fixated on. It certainly would be best if we were attuned MOST to God’s voice, but I think I still need some practice.
mimionlife
Posted at 15:16h, 16 JanuaryI pray that today I will be tuned in for His messages instead of my phone bings. Thanks for reading and commenting. Have a blessed day! 🙂
nancyehead
Posted at 01:11h, 16 JanuaryFabulous reminder for our day.
mimionlife
Posted at 15:16h, 16 JanuaryThank you Nancy. Have a wonderful, blessed day! 🙂
dscales24
Posted at 10:24h, 16 JanuaryMimi, this really struck at my heart the day I stopped mid-prayer to check a ding. 🙁
mimionlife
Posted at 15:17h, 16 JanuaryAmazing how those dings catch our attention, even during prayer. Thank you for reading and commenting. Have a joy filled, blessed day! 🙂