Wednesday, November 16, 2011

A Woman and a Fork~ the best is yet to come!

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. 
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 towonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them : 'Keep your fork ..the best is yet to come.' 
The Pastor 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. 
So the next time you reachdown for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.