Keep the fork because the best is yet to come

I love dessert! I believe that it is the best part of any meal. I really do not understand individuals who pass up on desserts. Oh, I appreciate their commitments to control calorie intake, but come on … really is it really that important that you are willing to pass on some of the greatest creations that can come out of a kitchen? I’ve even said that we never know when the rapture is coming so we should eat our dessert first because it would be a crime to leave this good earth with our dessert still on the table!

Every now and again I get a little depressed. I’m not really sure why, it just happens. I’m glad that these periods in my life have been few and they don’t stay around for very long. When I do get down I simply remind myself of an old story that has made the Internet rounds many times – The Woman and a Fork. It reminds us all that the best is yet to come … be it in life or in death. God has a tremendous blessing waiting around the next bend. No matter what is happening today life is going to get better … keep the fork! There is always dessert waiting to sweeten the equation ... keep the fork because something better is coming!

Woman and a Fork ~Source Unknown

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.'

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.

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 with someone is not an opportunity, but a sweet responsibility.

And just remember...keep your fork!

Quote for today … also making the rounds on the Internet: When you carry the Bible, Satan gets a headache ... When you open it, he collapses ... When he sees you reading it, he faints ... When he sees that you are living what you read, he flees ... ~Source unknown