Woman and
the
Fork
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 over and 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 andthey 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 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.
Send this
to everyone you consider a FRIEND...and I'll bet this will be an Email
they do remember, every time they pick up a fork!
And just
remember...keep your fork!
The BEST is yet to
come!
God Bless
You