The Comment That Changed the Mood
From a nearby table, a woman shook her head and muttered loudly enough for others to hear.
“That’s what’s wrong with this country,” she said.
“Kids today don’t even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream? Why, I never!”
Her words cut deeper than she probably realized.
My grandson’s face crumpled instantly.
Tears filled his eyes as he looked up at me and whispered, “Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?”
An Unexpected Stranger Speaks Up
I pulled him close and reassured him that he had done a wonderful job, and that God certainly wasn’t mad at him.
Just then, an elderly gentleman from another table slowly walked over.
He leaned down, gave my grandson a friendly wink, and said warmly, “You know something? I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer.”
My grandson looked up, surprised.
“Really?” he asked.
“Cross my heart,” the old man replied with a smile.
Then he leaned closer and added in a playful whisper, nodding toward the woman who had complained:
“Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes.”
