Your Soul and Ice Cream

 Kids Korner - A Story Shared By a Friend

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 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 kid's 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 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."