~~~~THOUGHTS ON A SUNDAY MORNING~~~~ Pass It On

  

When I was eleven years old I was devastated to learn my parents did not have enough money to send me to summer church camp.  The year was 1970 and to this day I remember feeling terribly sad and confused over the simple fact that my hard-working, preacher-man father could not afford the $14 price-tag for a week-long stay at camp.  For me there would surely be no fun-in-the-summertime-sun.  

Camp is big when you are eleven.

But then, everything seems BIG when you are eleven.

Everything.

I recall my cheeks being hot with embarrassment as I thought about a good excuse the right words to say to my friends as to why I would not be joining them as they made their way up the mountainside the following morning... 

Today fourteen dollars doesn't buy much.  Maybe a gallon of milk, some crackers and a box or two of highly sugared cereal...

In 1970's it bought a lot of dreams.

Understanding my family was on the short-side of a dollar was difficult.

Shouting it out for the entire world to my Sunday School friends was a totally different story.

(Maybe I'd just say I was sick.  Being sick almost ALWAYS worked...)

As I stood in the foyer of the church (probably wishing I could crawl under one of the nearest pews) I overheard one of the ladies in our congregation chatting with my mother.  Despite my flapping ears I only caught a small portion of what was being said.

It was something about camp...

"Can she be ready...?"

"Someone in the...!"

"Someone in the church...!"

"Someone in the church paid...!"

"SOMEONE IN THE CHURCH PAID BECKY'S WAY TO CAMP!  HAVE HER HERE AT THE CHURCH BY 8:30 IN THE MORNING PACKED AND READY TO GO!!!" 

Amazingly, God had heard my wistful prayers and sent His answer in the form of a lady by the name of Mrs. Onie Smith.  Back then I couldn't possibly have known how the obedience of just one person could ultimately make such a drastic difference in the life of a little bitty girl.

Years later, many years later in fact, I came to fully understand how easily a life can be changed by what sometimes may feel like an unimportant choice or decision.  Had it not been for Mrs. Smith's benevolence, I might not ever have experienced the majesty of summer camp that year.

Might not have learned to swim.

Most assuredly would not have had the chance to claim the blue-ribbon prize for winning the 50 yard dash.

I would have missed the opportunity to sit under a blanket of stars in the cool of the evening while learning the words to the beautiful Kaiser song, "Pass It On".

Quite possibly I would have missed the joy that came from understanding the gentle voice of the Father that ultimately led me to kneel around a small fire-pit to pray.  The Creator of the World met me right there that night and I will never forget asking his Son, Jesus, to come live inside my heart...

He's been there ever since. 

Indeed big things happened when I was eleven...

Thank you Mrs. Smith...wherever you are.

~~*~~

Below are the lyrics to Pass It On.  It's also the first song playing on my Play-List today...

PASS IT ON

(Kurt Kaiser)

"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 spread His love to everyone,
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 the world to know, the Lord of love has come to me,
I want to pass it on."

Blessings for an awesome day in His presence.

~~*~~

Love to you...