Ice Cream is Good For the Soul Sometimes

“And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”– Matthew 21:22

I received this story via email sometime ago. I have no idea if it is true, but it illustrates simple truths about prayer and our Father in Heaven.

Last week I took my children to a restaurant and 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. 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 he picked up his sundae and without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman and 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." The End

Let us put Matthew 21:22 in action by praying and believing with childlike faith. We can learn a lot from our children.