Give me the FORK!

Tonight... We attended the wake service of the late father of a church friend... When the eulogy was being presented by our pastor... 2 stories caught my attention.

Story #1 - The DASH
I read of a man who stood to speak, at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone, from the beginning... to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth and spole of the following date with tears, but he said that what matteretd most of all was te dash between those years.


For that dash represents all the time that she spend alive on earth and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own the cars.. the house.. the cash..

What matters is how we live and love.. and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard; are there things yo'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real... and always try to understand the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger and show appreciation more and love the people in our lives... like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile.. remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy is being read.. with you life's actions to rehash...

Would you be proud of the things they say.. about how you spent your dash?


Story #2 - Give me the FORK!
A woman was diagnosed with terminal illness with only a few months to live. This woman called in her Pastor to discuss on several things.

She arranged with the Pastor on the things related to her own funeral service when time comes, the songs to be sung at her fineral, the clothes she would wear, the type of casket and so on...

After the discussion, the Pastor turned to leave. Suddenly, the woman called to her Pastor,
"Pastor! Pastor! There's something very important which I almost forgotten!"

"What is it dear?"

"There's this one thing... I would like you to arrange for me to be holding a fork when I were to be placed into the casket."

Puzzled... the Pastor asked, "Why? Why do you want to hold a fork?"

Seeing the surprised look on the Pastor's face, she continued to explain.
"I remember the days when I used to go to parties, and when it was about time for cleanup, there's always a lady who will remind us to quickly grab a fork. Everyone was puzzled. The lady explained, "Although the food is finished, but there's always gonna be yummy desserts, cakes to be served. So, get prepared for it with a fork so that you're able to taste the good stuffs!" It's the same with our life, we go through life with so many issues, problems. But God always has better things in store for us! So, be prepared to receive this goodies which God will be giving to us if we trust Him!"

This woman then tell the pastor, "When people sees the fork which I will be holding when I was placed in the casket, please explain to them the reason behind it.

Wow!!! After hearing our pastor shared these 2 stories... I was indeed encouraged. Although 2nite.. the service which I attended was a wake service, which mark the death of a person, my friend's beloved father, but... what I've been reminded again is that God has always promised us good things. With God, we know that although we might be suffering, but God promised better things ahead of us!

I have lost a loved one, my beloved youngest sister, to cancer more than a year ago. But with God's assurance, I know that she has merely fallen asleep, and we shall reunite again in heaven.

The story of the Dash has also inspired me...

"How am I going to spend my life and make my DASH meaningful?"

It's really something we should think about and start doing something.