Ice Cream for the Soul



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."

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.

Author Unknown

 A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs: 17:22

The Strangest Dream

Last night I had the strangest dream,
I never dreamed before.
I dreamed the world had all agreed
To put an end to war.

I dreamt I saw a mighty room,
The room was filled with men.
And the papers they were signing said
They'd never fight again.

And when the papers were all signed,
And a million copies made
They all joined hands and bowed their heads,
And grateful prayers were made.

And the people in the streets below,
They all danced round and round.
And guns and swords and uniforms
Were scattered on the ground.

Last night I had the strangest dream,
I never dreamed before.
I dreamed the world had all agreed
To put an end to war.
Ed McCurdy


"I like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than our governments. Indeed, I think that people want peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out of the way and let them have it." -- Dwight Eisenhower

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

Matthew 5:9

A Little Irish Wisdom



1. You'll never plow a field by turning it over in your mind.

Meaning: Although it's good to plan what you wish to accomplish in your mind, you still have to go out and begin taking the steps to put your plan into action. Just sitting around thinking about it won't get you what you want.

2. There are finer fish in the sea than have ever been caught.

Meaning: Don't fall into the trap thinking that "everything's already been done." There is always room for improvement and new ideas. Always search for that "finer fish" and you may just find it.

3. Its no use boiling your cabbage twice.

Meaning: Let worries go... stop rehashing them because it doesn't accomplish anything.

4. There's no need to fear the wind if your haystacks are tied down.

Meaning: When you begin an important project, make sure to lay the groundwork so that your plan is solid. Then you won't have to fear that your future endeavors will tumble down or blow away.

5. There's no need to fear the wind if your haystacks are tied down.

Meaning: When you begin an important project, make sure to lay the groundwork so that your plan is solid. Then you won't have to fear that your future endeavors will tumble down or blow away.

6. If the knitter is weary the baby will have no new bonnet.

Meaning: Take care of yourself. You can't take care of others when you're in bad shape due to looking after everyone else's needs and never your own.

7. A silent mouth is sweet to hear.

Meaning: Listen more, talk less. Not only will you not say something you may later regret, you'll actually learn more.

8. You must crack the nuts before you can eat the kernel.

Meaning: You must do the work first, then you'll get your reward.

9. There are two tellings to every story.

Meaning: Be careful of listening to gossip and realize that there are always two sides to a story. Remember, whoever is telling you their version of the tale will always come across as the victim who's been wronged.

10. When the apple is ripe, it will fall.

Meaning: Know that at times it's pointless to force something to happen faster than it should (or can). Patience in certain situations if more productive in the end.
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An Irish Prayer

May God give you... For every storm, a rainbow, For every tear, a smile, For every care, a promise, And a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, A faithful friend to share, For every sigh, a sweet song, And an answer for each prayer.

Turn Your Face To The Sun



Beloved,

There are days when nothing seems right. When every shell you pick up on the winding shore is broken. When the silken treasure slips through your fingers too quickly. When comforts are empty. And the world is noise.

On those jagged edged days, when the wind is screaming for a reason only she understands. And you find yourself all alone.

Turn your face to the sun.

There is goodness in the world, that even the river of tears cannot erase.

There is love in the world, that the numbed armies of fear can not destroy.

Sometimes that goodness is everywhere apparent. It pours from the heart of every moment. From the light of every smile.

On those soft days, love hides in the eaves to drop like sweet honey on your forehead and sings her lilting lullabies in the arms of the winds.

But on some days, Beloved. On days like today....

We need to look, to see.

So turn your face to the sun.

Even when she is nowhere to be seen.

Go inside yourself. Find a speck, a splinter of beauty to be grateful for.

'Yes', the day has worn you. And 'Yes' our mistakes have been so many.

But say 'Thank you' anyway.

Take account of all that is in your possession.

A mind. A heart. A body.

A life that breathes, even if for just one more day.

Now count the eyes that have smiled
at you on your wild journey,

the hands that have held you tenderly,

the ears that have listened,

the prayers that have been made on your behalf.

And whisper your 'Thank you' again.

Count the sky that has watched you grow
with His painted eyes,

The heaving waves that find their echo
in the tides of your breathing,

The little birds that have sung
you their songs,

The stars which have been a lamp
to your path,
and are your
rightful inheritance.

Count unexpected laughter,

Count undeserved grace,

Count Passion and Love making and Dreams yet to be born,

And bow your head and say 'thank you',

Now count the lives who still need your light,

The hungry, the sick, the helpless,

Count the children who will die today

and imagine if with the breath of your body
you could help just
one.

Turn your face to the sun,
And know yourself as a child of the light.

You are the Goodness that cannot be extinguished,

The love that burns through the darkest night.

And perhaps,
In turning
You will see what i have seen,
that this day where everything seemed wrong,
was not your curse,

It was your gift,

Your chance...

To find inside yourself a forgotten 'thank you',

To smile in the face of the grim suppressors,

To stand in the heart of the glowering darkness
and turn your face to the sun.

Maithri Goonetilleke