Reserve the best for the best

Post date: 01-Nov-2010 12:17:16

She was dying. Her life was measured not in years…or months…but in weeks and days. She called the minister to her home to make her final preparations.

As they talked of her funeral, she listed the scriptures she wanted read and the hymns she wanted sung.

The lady said to the minister, ”When I’m placed in my casket I want you to put a fork in my hand.” Noticing the puzzled look on the minister’s face, she asked if anything was wrong. ”Oh, no,” he replied, ”but it’s the first time anyone has made such an unusual request.”

So the lady began to explain. ”All my life I have attended church dinners and fellowships. Whenever we finished the meal, someone would come to collect the dishes and say, ‘Keep your fork.’

I knew what this meant. The best was yet to come. There would be apple pie or chocolate cake or some other delicacy. And I know for me, the best is yet to come. My death is not a time of sadness but of celebration. So I want to have a fork put in my hand. You can tell the people why in your message.

The lady died. The minister meticulously followed her instructions. Everyone who passed the casket saw the fork in her hand, and everyone wondered, ”Why”. The scripture was read, the hymns were sung, the message was given and the story was told. Then everyone knew the reason for the fork and understood the amazing picture it portrayed.

So the best is yet to come. Eternity…the Savior…Heaven. And the best is yet to come even now…God’s deepening grace…His powerful Presence…the smile of His approval.

Always keep a fork in your hand…not literally, but spiritually and mentally…and look for the best…now…and yet to come!