Devotional Thought for the Week:
Saying Grace
Thought for the Day:
“You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:14
Often I go through my devotional material received over many years and find a treasure that I have forgotten. Such is the case this week with the story I have chosen for my devotional offering. It’s one that drives home a saying my mother has ingrained in my mind when it comes to the subject of prayer. Mama always said to me, “If it’s important to you, it’s important to God.” I’ve lived my entire life by those words she has etched into the fabric of my spiritual life. No subject or concern is trivial to God. He wants to hear from us. Hopefully, you enjoy this story as much as I did.
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 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! 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.”
As a child I learned a song whose words were,
“Oh, be careful little mouth what you say,
oh, be careful little mouth what you say,
for the Father up above
He is looking down in love
So be careful little mouth what you say.”
Of course the song went on to address the eyes, ears, hands and feet, but I’ve never forgotten the overall message. Let’s not hinder others to talk with Jesus. We all have a different voice and the Lord longs to hear it!
Lord Jesus, may all of us learn from this little six-year-old boy. May we come before you and just talk as if you were seated in the chair across the room. Help our communication with you to be as natural as breathing. Thank you for blessing us and giving us the gift of eternal life. Amen.
“All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:7-8
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 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! 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.”
As a child I learned a song whose words were,
“Oh, be careful little mouth what you say,
oh, be careful little mouth what you say,
for the Father up above
He is looking down in love
So be careful little mouth what you say.”
Of course the song went on to address the eyes, ears, hands and feet, but I’ve never forgotten the overall message. Let’s not hinder others to talk with Jesus. We all have a different voice and the Lord longs to hear it!
Lord Jesus, may all of us learn from this little six-year-old boy. May we come before you and just talk as if you were seated in the chair across the room. Help our communication with you to be as natural as breathing. Thank you for blessing us and giving us the gift of eternal life. Amen.
“All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:7-8