A Powerful Story – With a Profound Lesson –

Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist

February 20, 2022

Occasionally, things affect me deeply. So much so that I feel the need to share my experience with those I care about. Here is one example of a powerful story with a profound lesson.

I find that my cancer journey has made me more sentimental and spiritual. The meaning of life becomes clearer and well-defined with age and with the reality of a person’s mortality. And this story just resonated with me.

I read this on a Facebook page. Immediately, it touched me. It’s a story that had great meaning for me.

It’s an anecdote that embodies the innocence of a child, the wisdom of maturity, the evil around us, and the grace of goodness – all tempered with the maternal love of Mom. I see this as a parable with an important lesson to be learned.

Enjoy the read, and then I’ll share my philosophical interpretation afterwards …

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.’

The End

I love this story!

Sometimes, we all need some ice cream.

I hope God sends you some Ice Cream today!!!

~ author unknown

My immediate reaction was inaction. I was stumped for words. I was mesmerized by what I just read.

I’m not assuming the role of a psychologist or psychoanalyst. I’m just an ordinary guy with a conscience and human emotions.

My take is that there are times in life when an important lesson needs to be learned. And I believe there is a profound lesson here.

The 6-year-old child is the central figure in this parable. He learned a very important life lesson while dining with his mom and siblings.

His innocence let evil play out but then grace took over.

My interpretation of the lesson is that there are evil forces and people in the world that are jealous of a person’s success, place in life, innocence, or whatever. These evil people try to bring down a person to their level of misery. But when the evil is exposed and its identity is uncovered, then the grace of goodness can take over and offer solace to the disturbed evil.

I believe that even that “bad woman” learned an important lesson that day!