Christian Foundations

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven… --Matthew 5:12

There was a woman diagnosed with a terminal illness and given three months to live. So, as she was getting the last days of her life “in order,” she contacted her pastor to come to her house in order to discuss certain issues regarding her final wishes.

After their discussion of what she wanted for her funeral service, she said to the pastor, “There’s one more thing that’s very important. I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.”

The pastor looked bewildered at the woman, and she quickly responded, “Does that surprise you?”

The pastor said, “Honestly, I am a little puzzled by your request.”

To which the woman replied, “In my many years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the main course dishes were being cleared, someone would lean over and say, ‘Keep your fork.’ It was my favorite part because I knew something better was coming…like rich chocolate cake or a deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful! So, I want people to see me in the casket with a fork in my hand and when they ask, ‘What’s with the fork?’ then I want you to tell them, ‘Keep your fork…the best is yet to come.’”

As believers, we don’t usually envy people who’ve died, unless we know where they’re going. Christians never say goodbye for the last time. That’s the joy of being a born-again believer…we will see the ones we love again and we will meet Christ Jesus for the first time. Challenge yourself to be an everyday witness to those around you who are lost, so they will also have the chance to experience what is to come.

PRAYER CHALLENGE: Thank God for salvation and that death is not the end for Christians, but just the beginning.