Moby in the Morning, Small Town Soap Box
Today's Small Town Soap Box
Submitted by Alan Hand
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live.
So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.
"What's that?" came the pastor's reply.
"This is very important," the young woman continued.
"I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from there on out, I have always done so. I have also, always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement 'In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork'.
It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming, like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance! So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?"
Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork. The best is yet to come."
The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand.
Over and over, the pastor heard the question "What's with the fork?"
And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right.
So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Show your friends how much you care.
Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be their time to "Keep your fork."
Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share Being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility. And keep your fork.
Each morning on my way home from work, when I'm so sleepy I cannot keep my eyes open, I tune my radio in to 106.1 f.m. to listen to "Moby in the Morning". I depend on him to keep me awake until I get home! Each morning he presents us with a Small Town Soap Box. I have yet to hear one that didnt touch me deeply. If you would like to share these stories with Moby and his faithful listeners, just click up there on Small Town Soap Box and it will take you to his webpage. And for those of you who are wondering, 106.1 f.m. radio station is COUNTRY music! Yes folks, I am guilty of it, I like country! I also like bluegrass, classic rock, golden-oldies, you name it and I like it! I am very well rounded when it comes to music. Anyways, I thought some of you might enjoy the Small Town Soap Box story, so there it is! He does this everyday, so you can go and read them!!
Submitted by Alan Hand
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live.
So as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.
"What's that?" came the pastor's reply.
"This is very important," the young woman continued.
"I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."
The pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.
The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story, and from there on out, I have always done so. I have also, always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement 'In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork'.
It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming, like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance! So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?"
Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork. The best is yet to come."
The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand.
Over and over, the pastor heard the question "What's with the fork?"
And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right.
So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Show your friends how much you care.
Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be their time to "Keep your fork."
Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share Being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility. And keep your fork.
Each morning on my way home from work, when I'm so sleepy I cannot keep my eyes open, I tune my radio in to 106.1 f.m. to listen to "Moby in the Morning". I depend on him to keep me awake until I get home! Each morning he presents us with a Small Town Soap Box. I have yet to hear one that didnt touch me deeply. If you would like to share these stories with Moby and his faithful listeners, just click up there on Small Town Soap Box and it will take you to his webpage. And for those of you who are wondering, 106.1 f.m. radio station is COUNTRY music! Yes folks, I am guilty of it, I like country! I also like bluegrass, classic rock, golden-oldies, you name it and I like it! I am very well rounded when it comes to music. Anyways, I thought some of you might enjoy the Small Town Soap Box story, so there it is! He does this everyday, so you can go and read them!!
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 at 8/15/2006 01:10:00 AM.
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Great story! It really makes you think about what's important in life. Thanks for the link, too.
Be careful driving home!
Sorry I haven't visited in awhile. I've had to reinstall Windows about 6 or 7 times and I lost some of my links. I'm glad you commented so I could add you to my Favorites again.
I've heard that story before, but it touches me every time I hear it again.
A country music fan. Woo hoo! I, too, am pretty well-rounded when it comes to music: country, pop, big band, classic rock, classical, etc. Not a big fan of hard rock, but there a few songs that I remember from my teen years. :)
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