Saturday, November 5, 2011

GOOD ENOUGH TO BE A SERMON

I don’t know if this story is true or not, but the lesson it portrays certainly rings true.

Last week, I took my grand-children to a restaurant. My six-year-old grand-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 Nana 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 grand-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 grand-son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer." "Really?" my grand-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 grand-children ice cream at the end of the meal. My grand-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."

I also believe that God has a sense of humor.


Jobs cartoons --














3 comments:

  1. Cute story but remember it isn't ice-cream weather in a lot of the northern hemisphere. I'M FREEZING! Sun is setting soon and I'm going to turn on the central heating. Now if the kid asked for some hot apple pie, I'd concur!

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  2. That is a wonderful story. Wherever it came from, kudos to all the good people involved and my hopes that the woman learned a little humility and a lot of grace from it.

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  3. great story and a wonderful lesson.

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