There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal
illness and
had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her
things 'in
order,' she contacted her Pastor to discuss certain aspects of her
final
wishes.
She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what
scriptures
she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when
the
young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly.
'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply.
'I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.'
The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what
to
say.
That surprises you, doesn't it?' the young woman asked.
I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Pastor.
The young woman explained. 'My grandmother once told me this story,
and
from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to
those I
love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of
attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the
dishes of
the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean
over and
say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that
something better was coming...like velvety chocol ate cake or deep-
dish
apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'
So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork
in my
hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want
you to
tell them: 'Keep your fork the best is yet to come.'
The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears
of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be
one of
the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew
that
the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a
better
grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age,
with
twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something
better was
coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket
andsaw the
fork in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question,
'What's with the fork?' And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation
he had
with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them
about the
fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he
could
not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably
would
not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it
remind
you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a
very rare
jewel , indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed
Cherish
the time you have, and the memories you share ...being friends with
someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.
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