Elephants

I believe elephants hold first place for number of mentions in The Final Word for an animal species.  (Neither Max nor miniature schnauzer are “species,” technically.)  Here’s another:  Two circus elephants who had been separated for twenty years were recently reunited.   The connection — or reconnection, I should say — was obvious from the beginning.  Handlers came back the next day and found the elephants had bent a steel gate that had been between them overnight.  Once that was removed, the two were practically inseparable.

            Perhaps “elephants never forget” isn’t so far wrong.

            I have been privileged to know some of the best people in the world over the last 47 years.  And the cruelties of life in the physical world kept me from spending as much time with them as I would have liked.  But I see them.  They are right on the other side of the gate.  They are beckoning me to come and join them. 

            There’s Jim, recently departed, who held up my hands when I was most void of strength.  There’s Darell, whose unwavering support was as welcome when present as it was missed when absent.  There’s Robert, who taught us all how to be the church of Jesus Christ.  There’s Mike, who taught his daughter how to be a godly woman — and one day, a godly wife.

            There’s the host of Hebrews 11 as well — Noah, Abraham, Moses and all the rest.  Of these we are told, “For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His” (Hebrews 4:10).  They are in a better place, a place I long to be.  And only the patience God provides and the fellowship my fellow saints provide keep me content while I wait.

            I’m coming, brethren.  We will be reunited soon.  That gate can’t keep me out forever.