Last week I took my grandchildren out for dinner at a small family restaurant. Nothing fancy\u2014just a cozy place with good food and a relaxed atmosphere.<\/p>\n
Before the food arrived, my six-year-old grandson looked up and asked, \u201cGrandpa, can I say grace?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course,\u201d I said.<\/p>\n
We all bowed our heads as he folded his little hands and began to pray.<\/p>\n
\u201cGod is good, God is great. Thank you for the food\u2026 and I would thank you even more if Grandpa gets us ice cream for dessert. And liberty and justice for all. Amen.\u201d<\/p>\n
For a moment there was silence. Then a few people nearby chuckled warmly.<\/p>\n
But a woman at another table shook her head and said loudly, \u201cThat\u2019s what\u2019s wrong with kids today. Asking God for ice cream? They don\u2019t even know how to pray properly.\u201d<\/p>\n
My grandson\u2019s smile disappeared instantly. His eyes filled with tears as he whispered to me, \u201cGrandpa\u2026 did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?\u201d<\/p>\n
I hugged him and said gently, \u201cNo, buddy. You did a wonderful job. God isn\u2019t mad at you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Just then, an elderly man from a nearby table walked over with a kind smile. He leaned down and winked at my grandson.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know something?\u201d he said softly. \u201cI\u2019m pretty sure God thought that was a wonderful prayer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReally?\u201d my grandson asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbsolutely,\u201d the man replied. \u201cIn fact, I think God probably liked the ice cream part the most.\u201d<\/p>\n
My grandson\u2019s worried face turned into a shy smile again.<\/p>\n
And in that simple moment, I was reminded that sometimes the most powerful lessons about kindness and faith don\u2019t come from sermons.<\/p>\n
Sometimes they come from strangers\u2026 and sometimes they even come with ice cream.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"