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 and had him come to her
house 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.
"This is very important," the young woman continued. "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.
"Well, to be honest, 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
overand say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew
that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate 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 and they saw the
cloak she was wearing and the fork placed 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 hehad 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. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they
always want to opentheirhearts to us.Show your friends how much you
care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them
more. For you never know when it may be their time to "Keep your fork."
Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share ... being friends
with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility. Send this
to everyone you consider a FRIEND even if it means sending back to the
person who sent it to you. And keep your fork.
comment:
p_commentcount