FRIDAY 20 JUNE 2020

SATURDAY 20 JUNE 2020

Good morning friends,

Over the last week I have been asked to conduct two funerals. And I have I have been aware once more of the great privilege afforded to me of being people in times of grief. It’s a time to listen to stories and memories of loved ones, and putting together the service where they will commit their love one into the merciful, gracious hands of God.

Often over the years I’ve been asked what I think heaven will be like.

Of course I don’t really know the answer to that, but I do know that I trust in the words of Jesus spoken to his friends to comfort them the evening before he died.

Jesus told his friends that he was going on ahead of them to his Father’s house, a house with many rooms, where a place would be ready for them; a place especially prepared just for them.

And so, with the Saviour making this provision, I have no fears, in fact I am looking forward to enjoying the hospitality of Jesus for all eternity.

A story.

“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, which scriptures she would like read, and which 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 favourite 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 goodbye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young

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.”

I like that thought, and I love the promise of Jesus.

"Trust in me, I am the Way the Truth and the Life"..................forever and ever, Amen.

Go well into this new day, God bless

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