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Saying Grace
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 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."
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