July 18, 2006

Grace

This story was on the cyber wire the other day:

A young family went out for dinner. Their six-year old son asked to say grace. He said, “God is great, God is good, and we thank God for this food. And we would thank God even more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And justice for all. Amen.”

Along with laughter from others nearby, a woman remarked, “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, the lad burst into tears and asked his Mom, “Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?” As she held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and that God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly man approached their table. He winked at the lad, and said, “I believe that God thought that was a great prayer.” “Really?” the boy replied. “Cross my heart,” the man said. Then in a stage whisper, he added, “Obviously, the lady never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is sometimes good for the soul.”

Mom ordered ice cream around for her family at the end of the meal. Her son stared at his sundae for a moment. Then he took it, 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 sometimes good for the soul.”

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