" ...and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you," (1 Peter 1:4)
This morning I want to share a story with you that touches me every time I read it. I pray that it blesses you as well.
There was a young lady who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given only 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 details of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, what kind of flowers she wanted, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.
After everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave, the young lady suddenly remembered something that was very important to her.
"Oh Pastor, there's one more thing," she said excitedly.
"What's that?" the pastor's replied.
"I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand," she told him.
The pastor stood looking at the young lady, not knowing quite what to say.
"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young lady asked.
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.
The young lady explained. "My grandmother once told me a story that I never forgot and I have tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. Here’s her story:
“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 that fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew 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 that 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.
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Keep going, even if it gets tough — because it only gets better in God!
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for assuring me that the best is yet to come. No matter how things may look for me today, I faithfully await my "better days". Give me the strength and courage to continue to go forward as I let your light shine through me to help others see your glory. Order my steps today and bring someone into my path that needs to hear that their best is yet to come. Anoint me to share these encouraging words of hope and allow these words to make a difference in their heart. Thank you for the promises of a better tomorrow. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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