Her grandmother had just sat down to the table to eat a bowl of stroganoff over egg noodles and Katie asked to sit next to her. “Of course you can sit here, Katie,” said Grandma, “We can eat together.” Katie climbed up on the chair and asked for it to be moved in. Grandma set the bowl of cheeseburger macaroni in front of Katie who quickly let it be known she didn’t like it. Grandma asked Katie if she wanted a bite of the stroganoff. Shaking her head, Katie scooped some of her food on a spoon and asked Grandma if she wanted a bite of the cheeseburger macaroni. Grandma smiled and took the spoonful of the dreaded macaroni mixture then announced to Katie how good it was.

Still trying to delay eating the macaroni mixture, Katie sat up quickly and said, “Oh no, forgot something!” Grandma asked what, and Katie folded her hands as she announced they had forgot to pray. “Oh no,” said Grandma, “what shall we do?” “Katie pray first,” answered Katie. As she re-folded her hands and bowed her little head these words could be heard, “Thank you, Jesus, for this food…pause…don't like that! Thank you, God! Amen.”

All that needed to be said was said in that one little prayer. She didn’t like it, and didn’t want to eat it, but she was going to be thankful for it anyway. Grandma brushed away her tears as she smiled at Katie and silently thanked God for the reminder that 'in all things' we are to give thanks. Katie's eyes sparkled and she smiled as they ate their lunch together. Thankful for their food, but mostly thankful for each other's company.

Susan Stevens (Katie's grandmother)
Copyright 2004