Ice Cream
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 saying a word, walked over and placed it
in front of the woman that made the remark. 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."
Addendum -- 1 Peter 3:9 (NIV) "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult,
but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."
[ Author Unknown -- from Thomas Ellsworth ]
Inspirational Stories
SkyWriting.Net
All Rights Reserved.
|