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 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
gentleman replied. Then in a theatrical whisper the gentleman
added (inclining his head to indicate 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 already good."