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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