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," 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, 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 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."
We can adopt this habit of asking our
children to say graceful sentences before/after food :)
Source: Rogerknap
:)
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