Christ Our King
Lutheran Church

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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'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 old 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 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 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 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. Keep your fork as a handy reminder.


IT DEPENDS!



 A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.
    A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million.
        It depends whose hands it's in.
A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.
    A baseball in Mark McGuire's hands is worth $19 million.
        It depends on whose hands it's in.


A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
    A tennis racket in Venus Williams' hands is a championship.
        It depends whose hands it's in.
A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal.
    A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea.
        It depends whose hands it's in.
         

A sling shot in my hands is a kid's toy
    A sling shot in David's hand is a mighty weapon.
        It depends whose hands it's in.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands
    is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God's hands
    will feed thousands.
        It depends whose hands it's in.


Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.
    Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will produce
        salvation for the entire world.
            It depends whose hands it's in.
As you see now it depends whose hands it's in.
So put your concerns, your worries, your fears,
    your hopes,
    your dreams,
    your families and
        your relationships in God's hands because...
It really does depend on Whose hands it's in............



This message is now in your hands.
What will YOU do with it?