I find clocks intriguing. While they tell us the hour and minute, old clocks also have “witnessed” turns of events–some quite amazing–in their lifetimes of ticking.

Growing up in Dallas, Texas, my dad occasionally drove us past a large church with a clock just below the steeple. He liked the reminder on its face: “Night Cometh.” Sometimes, he would quote what Jesus said, when He healed a man born blind. “We must perform the deeds of the one who sent me as long as it is daytime. Night is coming when no one can work.” (John 9:4, The Net Bible). Then we would talk about doing what matters with your life, investing in what’s everlasting: people and God’s Word. Daddy gave me a great example of living those priorities. He loved both!

My husband and I have an ongoing adventure with a 1920s-era Romanian clock, which reminds me of those teachable moments with Daddy. This timepiece once kept time in a communist headquarters building. But on those childhood rides across Dallas, I could never have imagined I’d someday go to a place called Romania or treasure a clock from there in my home. Here’s how it happened:

Bong!

The scarred wall clock winds up for a true tale.

Bong!

Bug holes and all, today I hang on a living room wall in Texas. How did I get here, you wonder?

Bong!

Handcrafted in Arad, Romania, I once kept time for bosses of the Communist Party.

Bong!

I was still chiming when the Romanian Army and citizens overthrew Ceausescu, the cruel dictator. Who’d ever think my face and dented pendulum could witness such revolutionary events!

Bong!

As that challenging new era of freedom dawned, and all the change that came with it, I kept chiming.

Bong!

Then, can you imagine, a Christian church began meeting–openly–in that building, right under my pendulum. Oh, what joyful singing. And people soaked in true words of life.

Bong!

Not long afterwards, my springs gave out, and I nearly found a “final home” on the trash heap.

Bong!

But I got rescued! Today, I’m hanging around with an American video guy. He liked me, seeing hidden beauty in my worn case. But, alas! He was so maxed-out on baggage he couldn’t even take me, when I was offered as a gift.

Bong!

The kind Romanian pastor carefully boxed up all my fragile parts, and via Chicago shipped me to Texas. What a total surprise I was to the video guy’s wife!

Bong!

I’d arrived completely intact. However, I would need the loving touch of a clock master, to get me going again. And my new owners found one.

Bong!

Susan smiled hugely when I first proclaimed the hour. (My chimes remind her of her grandparents’ mantel clock—in southern Louisiana. Perhaps we two clocks were crafted in the same era–though worlds away from each other.)

Bong!

Twelve midnight, everyone!

“Night Cometh.” Dear Lord, please help us obey Jesus by faith and keep His priorities in our daily lives.