Keep Your 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 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 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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Happiness, like a dessert so sweet. May life give you more than you can ever eat... *** ***
From: The Land of JOY | Registered: Apr 2004
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