Keep Your Fork
Anonymous (submitted via email)
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 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 favourite 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
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 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
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.
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