This church is located just a few miles from home. I pass it often, typically on my way to the Dollar General on a quest to acquire some random thing I forgot to buy.

I hate those store runs but always enjoy passing by this country church.

There’s an elementary school and playground behind the church. That school is new, built after the schools I attended grades K-8 were torn down.

Now bigger kids from the surrounding townships attend the middle school in town while the younger country kids still have the benefit of being closer to home.

While the schools are different, this church hasn’t really changed in my lifetime.

I remember having an end of year picnic under those trees in second or third grade. The shade and comfort provided here on that warm May day has always been a happy memory. I normally had chips in a baggie but that day I had Doritos in the little tiny bag from the store and drank a lukewarm can of pop wrapped in foil that never really kept it cold.

Isn’t it funny the things we remember?

There’s a little free library in front of the church as well as a Blessing Box where you can leave non perishable food items to help folks in need.

I need to weed out some old books and think I’ll leave them there. Owning a book of your own is special but it’s not a priority when food insecurity is the only thing you can think about. That’s a common struggle for many in my community meaning that even a $3 Goodwill book is not a smart investment.

I like the idea of passing along something extra to anyone who wishes to read. This has been on my mind lately because I’ve been reading a book that discusses Nazi censorship and book burning. It also talks about the impact of placing books in the hands of American soldiers in World War II and what that did for morale.

I’m glad this little country church with its backyard full of trees has a place for our neighbors to receive these gifts of food and books. Hopefully these things will brighten their day and lesson their load.