Our Granny passed away Saturday, March 20, 2010. We will all miss her SO much but I know she is in a much better place. She is free from pain and hurt. She is walking with Jesus, all her family and rejoicing in his presence. The funeral was beautiful and very sad, knowing she is no longer on this earth with us. But I know she is in Heaven, just waiting for us, when we will see her again. Our aunt once told Mike something very true and he has never forgotten it. The hard part isn't losing someone. The hard part is learning to live without them. I want to share a story the pastor shared that was really very beautiful and reflects just what we have to look forward to.
A young woman had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and was given 3 months to live. As she began getting her things "in order" she called her pastor and asked him to come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at her service, what scriptures she wanted read, and what dress she wanted to be buried in. She also requested that she be buried with her Bible in her left hand.
Everything was in order, and as the pastor was preparing to leave, the woman suddenly remembered one final request that was very important to her. "Please, Pastor, just one more thing," she said excitedly. "Sure, what is it," came the pastor's reply.
"This is very important to me," the woman continued ... I want to be buried holding a fork in my right hand."
The pastor gazed at the woman with a loss for words. "That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman said. The pastor replied, "Well, to be quite honest I am puzzled by the request." The woman explained, "You see, pastor, in all my years attending church socials and potluck dinners, I remember after the main course and the dishes were being cleared somebody will inevitably lean over to me and say .... 'keep your fork' .... that was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming, like the velvety chocolate cake, or deep dish apple pie. Something wonderful to add substance to end the great meal."
The pastor listened intently as the woman continued, "So, you see Pastor, I just want people to see me there in my 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 filled with tears of joy as he hugged the woman goodbye. He knew that this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. He also knew that this woman had a better grasp of Heaven than even he did. She KNEW and trusted that the BEST was yet to come.
At the funeral, everyone who walked by the woman's casket saw her wearing a beautiful dress, with her Bible held in her left hand and a fork in her right hand.
Over and over the pastor heard people ask, "Why is she holding a fork?" and his smile began to get larger and brighter each time. During his message, the pastor told the people about the conversation he had had with the woman shortly before her death. He explained the fork and what it symbolized to her.
So, the next time you reach for your fork, remember ~
THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
John 10: 28
"And I give unto them eternal life;
and they shall never perish, neither
shall any man pluck them out of my hand."
Please remember my Father In Law in prayer today. He's having Surgery this afternoon and may have to stay overnight. Thanks for your prayers. Have a great day and God Bless!
Please remember my Father In Law in prayer today. He's having Surgery this afternoon and may have to stay overnight. Thanks for your prayers. Have a great day and God Bless!
