A Six Year Olds Prayer

Last week a mother took her children to a restaurant. Her six-year-old son had 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 sitting nearby 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 mother, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?"

As his mother 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 the little boy and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer." 

"Really?" the little boy asked. 

"Cross my heart," the elderly 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 mother bought her kids ice cream at the end of the meal. Her son stared at his for a moment, then did something all who were watching will remember the rest of their lives: He picked up his sundae and without a word walked over and placed it in front of the woman who had complained about his prayer. 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."

Moral: Have some ice cream whenever you think you could use a little soul "goodening".