The Woman and a Fork

The Woman and a Fork

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 that time on I have 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 socials and 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 cloak 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. He 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 Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share ... being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.


[from: http://www.motivational-story.com/]

Read More...

The Genie Inside You

A man lost in a forest found a lamp. He didn't know that it was a magical lamp.

He rubbed the lamp and suddenly a double of himself appeared in front of him.

He said, " Hi, how are you doing."

"Oh, so so," said the stunned onlooker.



"What can I do for you ?", asked the double image.

"Can you make any wish come true?", replied the man.

"Your wish is my command, said the genie double, doesn't that sound wishy-washy ?", he added.

"Ok my friend, make me happy " ?

"Pouf, let it be done in your mind."

"Make me strong without limitations."

"Pouf, let it be done in your mind."

"Make me rich beyond my wildest dreams."

"Pouf, let it be done in your mind."

"Oh genie of mine (the genie smiled at the thought of his double), my wishes are true right now."

"Yes, yes, yes, you are blessed in this life."

"Pouf and the genie disappeared into thin air." >>

"Do you believe in the genie inside you ?"


[from: http://www.motivational-story.com/]
Read More...

Keep The Promise

There was a blind girl who hated himself because of her blindness. Not only against herself, but he also hates all persons except her love one.
Her boyfriend always there to supports her. He also promises will marry her only if he can see the world.

One day, someone giving a pair of an eye on her so she can see all the things, including her boyfriend. After the surgery, her boyfriend asked, "Now you can see the world. Do you want to get married to me?" She was shocked when it saw that her loving one blind. He refused to marry with. So he go with the tears flowing, and then write a letter to the girl, "My love, please try to keep the good things my eyes."
Story shows how the human mind changed when the status changed in his life. Only a few people who remember how previous living conditions and fewer that have to remember who to thank because it has accompany and sustain even in the most painful.


Life is a gift

Today before you think to say the words rough --
Remember will be someone who can not speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food --
Remember that someone will not have anything to eat.

Before you complain about the husband or wife --
Remember that someone will cry unto the Lord asks partner.

Today before you complain about life --
Remember that a person will be so quick to go to heaven.

Before you complain about your children --
Remember that a person will be so desperate about presence of a child, but does not support.

Before you contend that the house dirty and there is not a clean or sweeps the floor --
Remember the people who live in the gutter street.

Before driving remove the whine because they have too much --
Remember that someone will be to walk through the same distance.

And when you are tired and complained about the work --
Remember will be the employment, disabled people and those who want to work.

Before you point or blame others --
Remember that no person lives without sin and we must face the court of God.

And when the burden of living seems to be difficult
Put smile on your face and meet in God because you are still alive and there in this world.

Life is a gift, so enjoy, celebrate and fill it.
Enjoy the difference AT ANY TIME, IT MAY NOT BE repeated AGAIN!


Read More...

Love Is Action, Not Feeling

"If I never saw this kid again, Lord, I wouldn't be sorry!" I thought.

Tears clouded my eyes as I stood in our laundry room. Clenched in both hands were new jeans and a shirt belonging to my 16-year-old stepson, Brett. The clothing was already destroyed from burn holes and vomit stains after a drunken binge.

Exhausted and defeated, I sank to the floor. The clothes were just one more thing Brett had ruined. He had already kicked a large hole in his bedroom wall; his bedcovers were torn. Numerous windows in our house needed repair due to his breaking in to steal money when he chose to live on the street. Yet none of this could compare to the emotional damage Brett had inflicted on our once quiet home.

I knew that Brett's needs were deep, and I had often prayed for wisdom and love. The second greatest commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," had taken on new meaning when Brett came to live with us when he was 12 years old. If I were to love my neighbor, was I not to love my own troubled stepson even more?

During those four years I had dealt with Brett as patiently as possible, but inside I was churning. "I don't want him in my house another day, Lord," I cried as I knelt on the laundry room floor. "I just can't stand him!"

Chest heaving, I poured out my despair. Then God tenderly spoke to me in my weakness. Matthew 25:35-40 rose in my thoughts---Jesus' declaration that when we invite a stranger, feed the hungry, clothe the naked or visit those in prison, we are doing it as unto Him. For the first time I saw this story in light of the action words. Jesus was saying, "Act. Meet these people's needs. Through your actions you are loving them and Me."

God's encouragement to me that day helped me to gather strength and continue parenting Brett. Still, Brett did not change his behavior.

When Brett was nearly 18, he landed again in Juvenile Hall, this time on suicide watch. Through prayer, my husband, Dave, and I sensed God's leading to send Brett to a boarding school with a high success rate for helping troubled teens.

The psychological training at Brett's school was rigorous. Out of more than 20 people in his class, Brett was one of only five graduates.

At the graduation ceremony the graduates stood one by one to thank those who had helped them. Each graduate held a long-stemmed, white rosebud to give to the person who had meant the most to him or her.

Brett spoke lovingly to his mother and father and for the first time took responsibility for the heartaches he had caused.

Finally Brett spoke to me. "You did so much," he said. "You were always there, no matter what. My mom and dad, I was their kid. But you just got stuck with me. All the same you always showed me such love. And I want you to know that I love you for it."

Stunned, I stood as Brett placed the white rosebud in my hand and hugged me hard.

At that moment I realized the truth in God's words to me. Although I had struggled with silent anger toward my stepson, Brett had seen only my actions.

Love is action. We may not always have positive feelings about certain people in our lives. But we can love them.

Sally Arnett

taken from: http://www.gagirl.com/stories/loveisactionnotfeeling.html

Read More...