Allendale, Missouri is a town that, as of the 2010 U.S. Census, had a population of 53. Its entire county has a population of around 2,000 people. It is no more than a blip on the radar, even in a rural, agriculture-intensive part of the country that is, itself, often overlooked.

Yet tiny Allendale holds a special place in my heart; of all the places I’ve visited, it is among my favorites. This 53-person town contains two churches (one Baptist and one Methodist, if memory serves), a community center, and a playground. On my visits I’ve been visited by smiling children and, on one occasion, a very friendly dog. It is friendly and vibrant, at least if you can find anybody there.

I can’t speak for each of the residents today, but at some point in time, somebody there had their priorities in order. We need to connect with God. We need to connect with one another. And we need to make sure that kids get proper attention and time for recreation. Whoever planned this place understood that.

Spirituality, community, and care for children are three of the most important aspects of my own life. Not every municipality can be quite as close-knit as one with under a hundred residents, but those three factors should be kept in mind, even – no, especially – in today’s fast-paced, high-tech society.

I also believe in being the change I want to see in the world around me. If I look around me and find something lacking, I should strive to help provide it. To that end, I tend to find myself drawn toward those who embody the values I treasure – those who humbly seek God and love those around them; those who work to build community; and those who work to better the lives of others, especially the young.