Got up this morning and realized I'd left my toothbrush and toothpaste at 20th Street. So I called.

"Hello, Teen Haven," a pleasant young, masculine voice answered.

"Hey, Ronnie, would you check in the bathroom and see if I left my toothbrush and paste?"

"Gee, ain't you smart!" He went and came back. "What color's your toothbrush?"

"Orange and I have Crest toothpaste.”

"Yup.”

"Well, bring them to church and I'll get them from you there.”

“Oh, I'm supposed to come walking into Church wif' a toothbrush, am I!"

It didn't occur to me that that would embarrass him. "Well, put it in a little paper bag or something!"

"I guess I'm supposed to brush away my sins, am I?"

I laughed. "It takes more than Crest toothpaste to get rid of sins, Ronnie. You just bring them, and I'll see you there.”

“No!"

“No, you won't bring them?"

“I ain't going to church this morning."

"Ronnie!"

"I'm going to church, whats'a matter wit' you!"

“All right, see ya there… Bye.”

"Good riddance," he said lightly.

"Yeah," I retorted and hung up.

Pastor Hart had a good message today on the Great Commission.