Here is a heart-felt story about the generosity, love and innocence of a child. And a reminder that words can hurt or heal.
Another one of those stories that we can have little idea if it’s based on actual events or not. But we can enjoy the truth contained within it.
Ice Cream for the Soul
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 mum 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”. Then in 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 kid’s 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”.
I think it’s time I treated myself to a nice big bowl of ice cream.
About Paul Sibley
Andrew Gosden (now 18) has been missing from his Doncaster home since 14 September 2007. The search continues.
Elizabeth Jackson on 
Where do you find these stories? (I think I’ve asked that before.) They are all so awesome!
Thanks Kay.
I spend quite a lot of time just surfing the internet with no particular aim in mind; these are just stories that I come across on my travels, through various blogs and websites. I really should try to remember to make a note of where each story comes from, but I keep forgetting.
Very good post Paul, very inspirational. Many People think believing in god has to be like following a straight path and that there is a right and wrong in how to express your religion. I think it´s a big issue in many religious communities (not only in christianity) that they build their services around tradition and just pray their traditional prayers over and over again instead of picking up the challenges people have in their current lives. It´s not like that everywhere, but there are many small villages who just follow this straight path and feel that it´s wrong to go out of their way. Of course children should learn the old stories and prayers. But not knowing them doesn´t make you a “bad chrstian” or sth like that. There is no right or wrong for what you pray (one could argue, i know…) and there is no right and wrong how to pray. it´s not like god is stupid and doesn´t understand what you are asking for if you say it in your own words.
A warm welcome to the blog tekzt.
And thank you for your thoughtful comment.
I would absolutely agree with you, that there is no wrong way to pray. What one person finds helpful may be a huge hindrance to another.
One of the disadvantages of the frequently used traditional prayers is that people often learn them and can pray them by memory; they can be said without thinking, and so become meaningless. One of the advantages of the frequently used traditional prayers is that people often learn them and can pray them by memory; which can be a great help at times when it’s difficult to pray.
Different times need different approaches: traditional sometimes; silence other times; sometimes just sitting down and chatting with God; and at other times it will be something very different. No method of praying is wrong; the important thing is the praying.