Keep the Fork!

“This is how God showed his love among us: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might have life through him.” 1 John 4:9

The Easter season is all about God’s love for us, how after this pilgrim journey here on earth, after the laughter and tears, the joy and the pain, the best is yet to come. I’ve been thinking about death recently because we have been praying so many novenas for dead relatives, friends, and parents of friends. Death on this side of the veil is heartbreaking. But that is not at all how God sees it. It is a homecoming, when He can open His arms and welcome His beloved sons and daughters to where they truly belong.

There was a pastor who told the story of a woman with a terminal illness. She was given only three months to live. When he visited her home to encourage her, he was surprised to find her quite excited and in good humor. She spoke to him of what songs she wanted sang at her funeral, what Bible passages to read, “and one more thing, Pastor, please make sure I am buried with a fork in my hand.”

Puzzled, he asked her why and she explained, “You know we always have potluck dinners? Well, when all the dishes of the main course are being taken away, someone always whispers in reminder, ‘Keep your fork.’ Of course we wait in anticipation for the best part, the deep dish apple pie, velvety chocolate cake or the creme brûlée!” She said with a twinkle in her eye, “I want people to see me in the casket with a fork in my hand and they’ll ask, ‘What’s with the fork?’ Then I want you to tell them, ‘Keep your fork because the best is yet to come!’”

Sure enough during the woman’s funeral so many people asked him why she was holding a fork. And he had a chance to share about her very real excitement of finally getting to heaven. He said he could not stop thinking about the fork and neither were the relatives and friends who came to the wake. 

Keep your fork. The best is yet to come.