March

Grace

To quote that great theologian, Dolly Parton, "If you don't like the road you're walking, start paving another one."

Lent is a time we work on paving a new road. It is that time when we ponder the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus. We look at our lives through his sacrificial love and ask, "how can I walk a more worthy path?" Of course, we cannot ever be worthy. We do not earn grace and love and forgiveness. These gifts are given and we humbly receive. We also ask how we might best share that grace? Being an ice cream lover I like the way a six-year old boy shared grace. A mother took her children to a restaurant and her six-year old asked to say grace and this is what the mother said happened.

Her son 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 the laughter from other customers a woman nearby remarked, "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 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. "

Shalom,

Cindy