I received

this from my good friend George O'Halloran. You may have heard it before.

If so, read it again; it is good for the soul.

"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 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 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 hug ged

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. 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.

"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!!

Our church

has voted to build; stay tuned.

The Rev.

Dr. Knox Herndon is pastor of His House Community Church (SBC). The Rev.

Greg Mausz is senior associate pastor. The Rev. Dr. Lydia Herndon is the

Sunday School superintendent, Bible study coordinator and teacher. The

church is just below Fayetteville, on Ga. Highway 85, a mile south of

Ga. Highway 16, just below the fire station. Visitors welcome. Church

office and prayer line 770-719-2365; e-mail [email protected]. The church's

new Web site is www.hishousecommunitychurch.com.

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