Posted on 05/20/2023 12:15:49 PM PDT by sodpoodle
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 w hat 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 fo rk 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 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 sym bolized 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. Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share.Being friends wi th someone is not an opportunity, but a sweet responsibility.
If you choose to send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND...and I'll bet this will be an Email they do remember, every time they pick up a fork! And just remember...keep your fork!
The BEST is yet to come! God Bless You
An oldie but a goodie; RIP young lady.
:)
Ping.
GREAT STORY!!!
What a wonderful story! I have not seen this before. Thank you and God Bless!
Nice! Glory to God.
Better things are surely coming.
That “dialog “ was horrendous.
Are you on the right thread?
Thanks for sharing this. I have never seen it before but I will be sharing it.
From a simpler time where everyone set down for supper together.
Thanks!
That was fun!!
Yeah it’s the writing. Just awful.
You’re right, but I looked past that, and it’s the underlying meaning that resonates.
Thanks, sod! What a great reminder!
*** what outfit she wanted to be buried in. ***
Note for others: if you forget to do the other things, please do this one thing for those you leave behind.
My sisters and I had to pick all those other details, but the most excruciating decision was which outfit to bury our mother in. Did she want to be in her most formal dress, because she was at the Heavenly Banquet, or would she rather go in her regular church clothes, where she met Jesus every week? We did settle it after a few go-rounds, but it was BY FAR the hardest decision we had to make together.
Help your family out! Make your wishes known to your loved ones ahead of time!
I couldn’t make it through
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