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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. "What's that?" the pastor replied. "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 quite honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said
the pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and
from there on out, I have always done so. I have also, 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 church socials and potluck
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 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 pretty dress 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. The
pastor 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 very rare jewels, 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 open their hearts 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. Be a good
listener, for only when you listen do you hear ideas different from your
own! And keep your fork my friend! |
