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 and we 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, I never!"

Hearing this, my son began to cry and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?"

I picked him up and assured him that he had done a very good job, and God was certainly not mad at him.  

At that moment an old gentleman came to the table. He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a very good 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."

When we finished eating I bought my kids ice cream. My son stared at his for a moment, and then did something I guess 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, my soul is good already".

Of course the point of this story is, far too often we rush to judgment on others often before we know the facts. Being judgmental is something we do far too often and the injury it causes scars the life of others for years to come. Being judgmental is also something Jesus condemned Matt. 7:1-2.

Copied and Edited by Bill Watkins