Ingredients

  • There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. 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. The woman also requested to be buried with her favourite Bible. shopping list
  • Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. shopping list
  • "There's one more thing," she said excitedly. "What's that?" came the pastor's reply. "This is very important," the woman continued.."I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand." The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say.. "That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked. "Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor. shopping list
  • The woman explained. "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 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" shopping list
  • The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the 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 woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She KNEW that something better was coming. At the funeral people were walking by the woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and her favorite Bible 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. shopping list
  • During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the 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. shopping list
  • He was right. shopping list
  • So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you oh so gently, that the best is yet to come.. shopping list

How to make it

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Reviews & Comments 12

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    " It was excellent "
    peetabear ate it and said...
    Henrie I don't know how I missed this but it is wonderful thank you....^5
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    " It was excellent "
    auntybea ate it and said...
    Lovely sentiment Henry! Thank you!
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    " It was excellent "
    shirleyoma ate it and said...
    I got my fork!!! Good one, got my 5
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  • deliathecrone 15 years ago
    Beautiful! Thanks for sharing it, and reminding us that this is NOT all there is!
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    " It was excellent "
    possumqueen ate it and said...
    I love this one!!!!!

    I heard this years ago on a country radio station when I lived in Florida - every weekday morning they would read an inspiration of the day.

    Most mornings and my sister and I would chat with each other on our way to work on our cell phones. Together we'd listen to the inspiration and get weepy and curse the stinkin radio for making us cry and ourselves for not wearing waterproof mascara. Good memories - good times!
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    " It was excellent "
    momo_55grandma ate it and said...
    never heard this before but oh so true thanks good buddy
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    " It was excellent "
    theiris ate it and said...
    Also heard it before but appreciate the reminder girlfriend! God Bless, Mare
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    " It was excellent "
    bakermel ate it and said...
    Beautiful!
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  • krumkake 15 years ago
    How many times have I HEARD or SAID "Keep your fork"...that woman was so right - those words ALWAYS make you smile inside because you know something wonderful is coming next - love this story...thanks for sharing it. I will never be able to utter those words again without grinning!
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    " It was excellent "
    magali777 ate it and said...
    Oh Henrie, I loved it, thanks!
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    " It was excellent "
    morninlite ate it and said...
    I love that! I'm going to have my kids bury me with a fork!!
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    " It was excellent "
    minitindel ate it and said...
    HENRIE IVE HEARD THIS BEFORE AND IT IS SO TOUCHING ;IT DOES BRING TEARS TO MY EYES EVERY TIME I READ IT; THANK YOU SO MUCH .........
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