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.’