There Is Story That Probably Was Not Real But ...

There is story that probably was not real but like any parable simply conveys a deeper sense of truth (stories often do that which is probably why Jesus used so many stories to talk about the kingdom). In this story an elderly woman has learned that she has an inoperable, terminal illness. She loves Jesus and has always tried to live her life as a child of the Kingdom.

In making her preparation she meets with her pastor to talk about the funeral service. They plan out the order and the pastor asks if there is anything else.

“Yes there is,” she replies. “I need you to do something very important. I want you to make sure that I am shown and that I am buried with a fork in my hand. I know its strange but please do this. This is my most important last request.”

“Okay. But people are going to ask about the fork. In fact, I want to know what is so important about the fork.”

“I know and that is the point. People will ask about it. And I want you to tell them the importance. When I was a kid going to the church dinners, I would be told to keep my fork after I had finished my plate. We had the more wonderful dinners after church and the best desserts—you know those heavenly decadent full of chocolate and sugar. ‘Keep your fork,’ my grandmother would say, ‘because we saved the best for last.’ I want people to know that at the end of my life, the best is yet to come. I’m not afraid of death because I know that I finally will be meeting with Jesus face-to-face. So when they see the fork, let them know that the best is yet to come. Remind them that my greatest wish is to see Jesus but my next greatest wish is for them to see Him too.”