Quote from Forum Archives on January 13, 2005, 12:22 pm

Posted by: bigguyhereagain <bigguyhereagain@...>

"KEEP YOUR 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' 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 there on out, I have always done so. I have also, 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 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 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 pretty dress 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 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 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........
THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!!!

 

 

"I CAN MAKE IT FROM THERE"

 

 

The story is told of the little boy that had wondered away
from his home, not paying attention to where he had wondered
to as he followed his dog until he noticed that his surroundings
were no longer familiar to him. His eyes welled up with
tears, his little heart filled with fright. Directly, his emotions
were no longer controllable. He stood on the corner, sobbing
uncontrollably.

 

Soon, a police officer noticed the young boy crying. He
approached the little fellow. "What is the matter, son?"

 

Through his tears and sobbing, the little boy said, "I'm lost!
I had followed my dog away from home and now I'm lost!"
and sobbed all the more.

 

The police officer knelt down beside the little one and gently
said, "Son, not to worry. I'll help you get home."

 

The little boy took a step backward. The police officer gently
said, "I'll not hurt you. My job is to see to it that you get
safely home. Please let me help."

 

After a second or two, the little fellow took the officer by
the hand.

 

"Now, where do you live? What is the name of the street?"
the officer asked.

 

The little one looked around and said, "I can't remember
the name of my street." His fear began to return.

 

"O.K." the police officer said. "What is your telephone
number? We can call your Mom or Dad and they can come
get you."

 

"We don't have a telephone in our house."

 

"Well, then, can you give me a landmark of some kind?"

 

"Yes," the little one said and brightened up. "Not too far from
our house is a church with a high steeple with a cross on top
of it. Do you know where that steeple might be?"

 

"Yes, I do, son."

 

"Well, then, please take me to the foot of that cross and I can
make if from there!"
Author Unknown

 

 

Have a Blessed Day

Dave and Barbara

 

 

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