Ice
Cream Prayer
Last week
I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could
say grace.
As
we bowed our heads he said, "God is good. God is great. Thank you for the
food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert.
And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!"
Along with
the laughter from the other customers nearby I heard a woman remark, "That's
what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray.
Asking God for ice-cream! Why, I never!"
Hearing
this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God
mad at me?"
As I held
him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly
not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at
my son and said, "I! happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer."
"Really?"
my son asked.
"Cross
my heart," the man replied. Then in a theatrical whisper he added (indicating
the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never
asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."
Naturally,
I bought my kid's ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his
for a moment and then did something I will remember the rest of my life.
He picked up his sundae and without a word, walked over and placed it in
front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you.
Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes; and
my soul
is good already."
The End
 
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