Ice Cream, Good for the Soul

A parent tells the following touching story:

Last week I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads, he prayed, "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!"

Several of the customers nearby laughed gently when they heard my son's prayer. They were delighted to hear such a young boy pray in public. One woman, however, took a different viewpoint. She said, "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. He asked me, "Did I do it wrong, Mom? Is God mad at me?" As I held him, I assured him that he had done a terrific job and God certainly wasn't mad at him. Just then an elderly gentleman approached the table. He tenderly looked at my son and said, "My boy, I happen to know that God thought you prayed a great prayer." "Really?" my son asked. "Yes indeed," he said. Thenwhispering loud enough so everyone (particularly the critical woman) could just barely hear, he added, "I think that God would be pleased if more people asked for ice cream. It's too bad that some people never ask God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul."

I thanked the dear gentleman for his kind words. And, quite naturally, I ordered ice cream for dessert. For a moment, my son quietly stared at his dish of ice cream. Then he did something I will remember for the rest of my life. He picked up his ice cream, walked over to the nearby table, and placed it in front of the critical woman. With a big and completely innocent smile he said, "Here lady, this is for you. A little ice cream is good for the soul, and my soul is good already."

How is your soul? Do you ask God for ice cream?

If you have a STORY that you'd like to see shared on this website... Please put "Story" in the subject line and paste the text in an email or attach a plain text (.txt) document to the email and send to me. Your input would be greatly appreciated.