Keep Your Fork.........

[JJL]

I received this in an e-mail yesterday. If you're easily offended by spiritual messages I suggest you click the back arrow, and then go and evaluate your life. But, for those of us who aren't it's a very good lesson and needs to be shared.

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.

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.

'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.

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 and saw the fork 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.

__________________

[Hoosierbuck]

My grandma Weseloh actually did this. I am not claiming she was the first to think of it or anything, but she did this. She already had the hymns and readings picked and everything, and she did, in fact, get buried with her fork in hand. The pastor did use the theme of ,"the best is yet to come" in the message at her funeral service.

HB

[wtnhunt]

Good message there for sure. Thanks for sharing Jim.

[preacherman]

have always enjoyed that story and actually built a sermon around it. I preach it in revival services at different places and usually have good response at the end.

There are a lot of hurting people in this world, and we all need the encouragement that the best it yet to come! AMEN!!!

[Dawg]

Good one indeed!

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

Maybe we need a new Beatitude for this...

Blessed are they who retain their forks, for they already see Heaven.

[stevebeilgard]

pretty heavy, jim. thanks.

[aksheephuntress]

...I read it, and enjoyed this you posted in the Spiritual Room the other day,too...

-Nice to see this posted in the lounge,as well!

-Thank you!

[Hoytguy]

I wonder if that will work on a deer stand ??? Anyhow...makes a person think. Thanks for sharing !!!