A man sat down to supper with his family, saying grace, thanking God
for the food, for the hands which prepared it, and for the source of
all life. But during the meal he complained about the freshness of
the bread, the bitterness of the coffee and the sharpness of the
cheese. His young daughter questioned him, "Dad, do you think God
heard the grace today?" He answered confidently, "Of course."
Then she asked, "And do you think God heard what you said about the
coffee, the cheese, and the bread?" Not so confidently, he answered,
"Why, yes, I believe so." The little girl concluded, "Then which do
you think God believed, Dad?"
The man was suddenly aware that his mealtime prayer had become a
rite, thoughtless habit rather than an attentive and honest
conversation with God. By not concentrating on that important
conversation, he had left the door open to let hypocrisy sneak in.
