My BIL recently lost his long battle with cancer. He had much time to prepare his affairs and he found this little gem which was presented at the service. It accurately reflected his life values as he served for years with the Salvation Army. Thought I'd share it with you all...
KEEP THE
FORK
There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. 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. The woman also requested to be buried with her favourite Bible.
Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
"There's one more thing," she said excitedly. "What's that?" came thepastor's reply. "This is very important," the woman continued.."I want to be buried with a
fork in my right hand." The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say.. "That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked. "
Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.
The woman explained. "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 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 woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She KNEW that something better was coming. At the funeral people were walking by the woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and her favorite Bible 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 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 oh so gently, that the best is yet to come..