FRONT-PORCH GOSPEL: ‘Ma’am, have you ever been to heaven?’

Good week to all: Welcome to the “front porch.”

The five-year-old had a hop in his step as he let go of his mama’s hand and plopped into the barber’s chair.

“Well, hello, young man,” said the stylist, “What’s your name?”

“I’m Levi,” he said confidently, “What’s yours?”

“I’m Marilyn,” she answered.

“Hi Miss Marilyn,” he said, “good to meet cha.”

Miss Marilyn fastened the cape on the blonde-headed wonder, unable to hold back a little smile at the boys’ grown-up way of talking.

“Where do your live, Levi?” she said, preparing to clip from the top.

“I live in Texas,” he said, “but we used to live in Georgia. Hav’ya ever been there?”

“Sure I have,” Miss Marilyn answered cheerfully, “My husband is from Georgia, and we go there to visit friends and family all the time.”

With that, she concentrated for a minute on the blonde curls while little Levi sat quietly, mulling carefully over something on his mind. After a while, he broke the silence.

“Ma’am,” he said politely, “have you ever been to heaven?”

The question surprised Miss Marilyn, and she stopped where she was and leaned over toward him.

“Have I ever been to heaven?” she asked, unable to hide her surprise.

“Yes, ma’am,” Levi said, “I was just wonderin’ if you had ever been there?”

“Well, no, Levi” she answered with a chuckle, “I can’t say that I have. Have you?”

“Yep,” he said, momentarily forgetting his Southern manners, “I sure have.”

“Really?” Miss Marilyn exclaimed, trying not to sound too shocked, “When did you go there?”

“Oh, me and Uncle Bobby went,” he said matter-of-factly.

“You and your Uncle Bobby?

“Yes ma’am,” Levi said, rediscovering his manners.

Miss Marilyn looked over and smiled at little Levi’s mama, a pretty lady sitting a few feet away.

“No, honey,” his mama interrupted, sweetly, “you didn’t go to heaven. Remember, I told you that Uncle Bobby went there, and I said that one day you would go there to see him, too.”

“Oh,” replied little Levi, “okay.”

Levi seemed satisfied with his mother’s explanation, and sat quietly as Miss Marilyn – still with a smile – put the finishing touches on the little miracle who had pranced across the floor and plopped into her life just a few minutes before.

In a flash, he was unclipped, dusted off, and out of the chair, leaving behind a newfound friend, brilliant blonde curls scattered on the floor, and a little piece of heaven.

Coach Steven Bowen, a long-time Red Oak teacher and coach, now enjoys his time as a full-time writer and preacher of the gospel. In addition to his evangelistic travels, he works and writes for the Church of Christ of Red Oak at Uhl Road and Ovilla. Their worship times are 10 a.m. Sundays and 7:30 pm. Wednesdays. Email coachbowen1984@gmail.com or call or text 972-824-5197.