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 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 the gentleman
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 already good."