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." 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 kids 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."