Almost Heaven

     "Small Town" Texas is something beautiful to behold.
     I officiated at a graveside service this morning for a man from Roxton, Texas (population 635), located in the northeast corner of the state. When you pull into town, there is a welcome sign that reads, "Near to Heaven." And who can argue? There is one cafe in town where everyone eats. There are grain elevators in "downtown" Roxton still in operation. And there is an old refurbished train station.
     Why is this place near to Heaven?
     This may seem a strange reason, but when you walk into the cafe, there is a serve-yourself tray of homemade biscuit sandwiches with saugage-and-bacon. It is up to each customer to put their biscuit on a plate, zap it in the microwave, and heat it to your liking.
     Payment, of course, is all on the honor's system.
     There are also a few churches in town and even a "mission center" guest house, for all of those missionaries that must come rolling through town.
     And of course there is the history. Cotton was king in Roxton in the early 19th century, when the man from my congregation lived there as a child (with his nine siblings).
    There are other places Near to Heaven, but I have to agree with the sign. Other neighboring towns - Pecan Grove, Ben Franklin, and Hickory Grove -- don't seem to far from Heaven either.
     It was a refreshing, two-hour visit to paradise, but now it is back to the hustle-and-bustle of life in the Dallas Metroplex. I don't think I am ready yet for my residency in Heaven, but it was nice to visit for a day.