Stories of Kindness from Around the World

Saying Grace In A Restaurant


--by Blunt, posted Dec 12, 2007
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."
8359 Reads

Readers Comments

teresauriarte wrote: Great story...god works in many ways..thanks for sharing this!
MakeSomeoneSmile wrote: What a great story, thanks for sharing!
denim1951 wrote: That was a wonderful story for sure. That old lady needs a prayer too since she is too critical of a boys prayer. She indeed needed a ice cream to chill her out a little.
lovebug wrote: It was a great story, I do not like the adult world, the children know how to ask for ice cream. Thank God for the Child.
AURELIA wrote: What a lesson we all can gain from. God is always listening. Stating kids off at a young age to talk to God about everything is important. You never know when you'll really need to talk to God and that little boy will definitely lean on his faith if he ever has to because his parents are making him aware of His presence. And a good job they are doing...offering his icecream to the lady who was "mean" .
bibirose wrote: What a heart! I remember a few years back my hubby & I were in a cafe about to partake of a meal when I said to him let's say grace; a nearby custumer overheard me & grimaced at her son. I then proceeded to say a favourite grace of mine especially when we are out..."Heavenly Pa, ta!" The lady smiled & relaxed. And we enjoyed a lovely meal thank to our heavenly Pa!
shalom from Bibirose.
brighteyes wrote: Blunt....great story....heard it before....not sure who the author is but worth reading again....aren't children great? Loved the way the parents and the elderly gentleman handled the situation as well!
tsholofelo wrote: That was too great! Children are so amazing. And GOD uses anyone, no matter how young or old you are.
pskenned wrote: I love it! I hope she thought twice about judging someone else's prayers. Kudos to your hubby!
lhatton wrote: Oh my. Not just tears to my eyes I am actually crying. Out of the mouths of babes as they say. And what a wonderful man to comfort your son.

Add A Comment