Now consider an unbroken pattern of supreme joy which will never end. We are all aware that this is very hard to do when life is fraught with just trying to maintain some semblance of peace and tranquility, some assurances that all is well with family and friends, as well as the endless things that just make up living. In spite of life’s busiest schedules, choose a quiet, reflective time and contemplate that amazing and absolute exultation, this supreme joy that is promised to us by God. Sometimes it seems far away in the distance when we take a hard look at the many bridges we have to cross to get there. We reflect on it but the road leading there seems very long at times. But as we grow tired and victories become scattered and far between and there is an abundance of unfulfilled dreams, we begin to think about the wonder of God’s covenant with us. We yearn for His cup which will be filled to the brim with never ending rapture with no cloudy segments to blight perfection. No more pain, no more suffering, no more growing old and no more tears. Just eternal jubilance. And this is what God offers to us. After our many years of trudging uphill, we are then truly ready to reach the summit of life’s mountaintop...to finally reach that pinnacle of happiness which comes to each of us who believe in our Heavenly Father.

There was a 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. The woman also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible. Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the 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 woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand." The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say. "That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked. "Well, to be honest, I am puzzled by the request," said the pastor. The woman explained. "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 I said: "Keep your fork....the best is yet to come".

So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you oh so gently, that the best is yet to come.