- Feb 1, 2004
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I heard this story recently. It seems a mom took her children to a restaurant. Her six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As they bowed their 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, a woman at the next table 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 little boy burst into tears and asked his mom, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?"
His mom 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 the little boy and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer. "Really?" the 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, the kids got ice cream for dessert at the end of the meal. The little boy stared at his for a moment and then did something pretty cool. 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."
I agree, a little ice cream IS good for the soul. We shouldn't be afraid to ask God for things that we want. He may say, "No", because it's not in His plan, but we should ask. We need to remember, prayer is just talking to God. We are His children, and we should talk to Him often.
Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, a woman at the next table 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 little boy burst into tears and asked his mom, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?"
His mom 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 the little boy and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer. "Really?" the 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, the kids got ice cream for dessert at the end of the meal. The little boy stared at his for a moment and then did something pretty cool. 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."
I agree, a little ice cream IS good for the soul. We shouldn't be afraid to ask God for things that we want. He may say, "No", because it's not in His plan, but we should ask. We need to remember, prayer is just talking to God. We are His children, and we should talk to Him often.
