Keep your Fork

Woman and a 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 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 they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork

placed in her right h and. 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. 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.

And keep your fork.

This so much reminded me of my friend Christina who went to Heaven this past August after fighting breast cancer. She had her funeral and songs all planned out. Had worked diligently on her scrapbooks to have them caught up for her young boys....and even told her husband at what point he could break down. She worked desperately hard at being a witness for Christ and his goodness until the very last minute. She gave him all the praise and is now celebrating on the streets of Gold. During her last few months I saw many miracles in her life happen including God answering a specific prayer and giving her the desire of her heart to meet a young man named "Christopher". This is not my part of the story to share but please know that it was God's way of confirming her that he works it all out in time for those that love the Lord.