The Woman and The Fork

Woman and the 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 favourite 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 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. 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.
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 with someone is not an opportunity, but a sweet responsibility.
And just remember…keep your fork!
The BEST is yet to come

Heaven’s Grocery Store

I was walking down life’s highway

a long, long time ago. 

One day I saw a sign that read,

“HEAVEN’S GROCERY STORE.” 

As I got a little closer, the door opened wide,

and I found myself standing inside.

 

I saw a host of ANGELS.

They were standing everywhere. 

One handed me a basket and said,

“My Child, shop with care.”

 

Everything a human needed

was in that grocery store. 

And if you couldn’t carry it all,

you could come back the next day for more. 

 

First, I got some PATIENCE. 

LOVE was in the same row.

Further down was UNDERSTANDING,

you need that everywhere you go.

 

I got a box or two of WISDOM,

a bag or two of FAITH. 

I just couldn’t miss the HOLY GHOST,

for it was all over the place.

 

I stopped to get some STRENGTH and COURAGE

TO HELP ME RUN THIS RACE.

By then my basket was getting full,

but I remembered I needed some GRACE.

 

I didn’t forget SALVATION,

for SALVATION was free. 

So I tried to get enough of that

to save both you and me. 

 

Then I started up to the counter

to pay my grocery bill.

For I thought I had everything

to do the MASTER’S will.

 

As I went up the aisle, I saw PRAYER;

and I just had to put that in,

for I knew when I stepped outside,

I would run into sin.

 

PEACE and JOY were plentiful;

they were last on the shelf.

SONG and PRAISE were hanging near,

so I just helped myself.  

 

Then I said to the angel,

“Now, how much do I owe?”

 

He smiled again and said,  “MY CHILD,

JESUS PAID YOUR BILL A LONG, LONG TIME AGO.”

 

 

 

By Ron DeMarco

C Copyright 1990 ~Used With Permission~