The little white church sits beside the highway; a road less traveled than some. It’s more than a few miles from any town, just surrounded by ranches and farms. There is no resident pastor, but a sign out front tells you that worship is every Sunday at 10 am, and all are welcome.
On entering, you know immediately that this place is dearly loved and cared for. Bright banners on the walls, highly polished floors, neat pews, some arranged to accommodate the handicapped. Library shelves in the entry, and tables for fellowship in the back.
The congregation is small but faithful; mostly comprised of the older generations, although sprinkled with some of college age. Visitors are warmly welcomed, and thanked for coming. The service is led by members, and guest speakers are often invited. After worship, there is coffee, juice, and delicious home baked goodies. Conversation is neighborly; about cattle and crops, gardens and recipes. Everyone has rain reports, perhaps slight, but enough to give thanks for. It’s the dedication of members that makes this work. I don’t know if they have assigned themselves certain duties or if it’s random, but they’re an example of what can be sustained by people who are committed, and motivated by love.
We don’t often notice the commitment that surrounds us. In time of fires or other disasters, we come together and carry one another’s burdens but fail to remark on, or thank, store clerks that smile and chat, uncomplaining of feet that must ache. The medical community, usually short staffed and overworked, but full of comfort and caring. City and county government officials who get more flack than they deserve, and far too little appreciation. Teachers who strive to make classes interesting and go an extra mile for students who struggle. Volunteers whose efforts keep food pantries open, community celebrations going, and who mentor youth. And, of course, our men and women in uniform, who show up to serve and often make the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.
We are blessed to live in a country where we are allowed to serve others and make choices. This is a privilege hard won, and we have an ongoing responsibility to keep it. There are so many ways to lift up others and improve the places where we live and work.
Small towns die and disappear. Businesses close, and people move away for numerous reasons but we are often complicit in that process. If you complain because there are so few stores or services locally, take a look at how often you shop Amazon, or go out of town. By doing so, you miss the friendliness of a neighbor who opens a door, wishes you a good day, or asks about your kids. The action isn’t on your boob tube or the internet. It’s right outside your door.
Is there a lack of leadership in some area? Do you have talents that could help build new opportunities? Everyone is good at something. Each person who cleans the little country church or takes part in the service makes a huge contribution.
It’s often said that a church is the people, not a building. We are told that it takes a village to raise a child. It takes a solid commitment to keep a country, and two hundred fifty years ago some people made that commitment, at the risk of losing their means of making a living, and even their lives. What do you love, and what are you willing to do to keep it? Hard questions, but ones that we need to be willing to ask, and answer.