'Pass It On . . .'

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV

Popcorn pop at
Quaker Haven Camp

One of my favorite Church Camp songs, from my youth, is 'Pass It On.*' I can remember learning it the first year I was at Eagle Lake Camp, in Northern Indiana, between 4th and 5th grade.



'It only takes a spark

to get a fire going,

And soon all those around

can warm up to its glowing.

That's how it is with God's love

once you've experienced it;
You want to spread His love around;

You want to pass it on.

What a wondrous time is spring
when all the trees are budding;

The birds begin to sing,

the flowers start their blooming,

That's how it is with God's love

once you've experienced it;

you want to sing, it's fresh like spring,

You want to pass it on.

I wish for you, my friend,

this happiness that I've found,

You can depend on Him,

it matters not where you're bound.

I'll shout it from the mountain top -

I want my world to know;

the Lord of love has come to me,

I want to pass it on . . . '



Popcorn Pop at
Quaker Haven Camp

Every time I hear or sing this song, it brings back memories of the four years that I spent at Church camp as a kid. It reminds me of sitting around the campfire, with all the new friends I had made at camp that week . . . and how that made me feel inside. Now, I think more about the words and how they make me feel . . . and the feelings I get from all the memories this song recalls to me. And now, as a Quaker, or Friend, this song takes on a new meaning to me - especially the last verse!

So, what's this song saying to me . . .

'It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can warm up to it's glowing . . .' It only takes one, one of us to begin talking about our faith, about God, to get a wider  conversation going with those around us about faith and God. That's pretty powerful to think about. One person - you or me, can get the conversation started and soon everyone around us will we talking and sharing about their faith and God.


Singing during the
popcorn pop at
Quaker Haven Camp

'What a wondrous time is spring when all the trees are budding, the birds begin to sing, the flowers start their blooming.' This verse reminds me of the beauty of the world that God has given to me to live in. I'm reminded to take time to stop and appreciate the beauty of all of God's creation and to enjoy it. It also reminds me of new life . . . the new life that God creates, not just in nature not just in the spring of the year . . . but new life all year long - with the birth of very child, each new flower or plant that sprouts up and of every animal.

'I wish for you, my friends, this happiness that I've found' yes, my wish is that all my F/friends, and family, find true happiness in knowing and believing in God. Happiness in living a life that shows others the way to live.

'You can depend on Him, it matters not where you're bound . . .' I know that I can depend on God to be with me no matter where I am or where I go. He's right there beside me all the way, keeping me safe and guiding my steps.


This song is one of those 'comfort' songs that runs through my head from time to time. I think of this song when I'm up at Quaker Haven Camp, as a counselor, and other times when I get a chance to go up and spend a few days there. And when I get together with my Scouting and Guiding Friends I tend to think of this song . . . the thoughts of camping and campfires and spending time together with Friends.


Bessbrook
Northern Ireland

I even found myself singing this song in my head this summer while on Pilgrimage in Ireland/Northern Ireland, especially the last verse . . . wishing happiness to all my new Irish Friends that I had met, had conversations with and had gotten to know while I was there, among them.

The scripture given in our hymnal for this song is "Since God loved us, so, we ought to love one another." 1 John 4:11

* Words and music by Kurt Kaiser.