Bell
by Eric Smith (2000)

I wrote this song during the weekend of my Grandmother’s funeral. I was impressed by the fact that even though my Grandmother was a “nobody” by our culture’s standards (e.g., not famous; a stay at home mother of 5; never had a career; lived in the same small town all of her life, didn’t learn to drive until her 60’s; not wealthy, etc.), she was a big somebody in God’s eyes. Nearly everyone at her funeral had come to know Jesus Christ as a result of her life. They, in turn, were taking that message to countless others – (many people there were pastors, missionaries, and teachers doing the work of God somewhere in the world). My eyes were opened to how significant a seemingly insignificant life can be when one follows God. Because of her life, I can look forward to seeing her again in the future.

Driving down the interstate
Won’t get off for a hundred miles
Snow it falls like it always does
Glistens white just like your hair

Been so long since I’ve been in this town
Things have changed and stayed the same
Grocery store that you used to own
Baptist church where you used to pray

I used to wonder what good it did to hang around this place
Now I see what good it’s done, what good you’ve made

Now I’m driving out of town
See the house one last time
See the yard where I used to play
See the porch where you used to sit

Always hoped I could go back
Now I know there’s not a chance
Memories are all I have
Hope they don’t fade too fast

I used to wonder what good it did to hang around this place
Now I see what good it’s done, what good you’ve made

I know we’ll meet once again
Yonder way where our hearts don’t break
Where we’ll go, tears don’t flow
Things don’t change, they stay the same