Charlie Frank worked in the circus as an elephant trainer for years.  He was the personal trainer of an elephant named Neeta.  After years of performing, they both retired.  Neeta went to the San Diego Zoo and Charlie to his mobile home.  Fifteen years passed until Huell Howeser, host of PBS program California Gold, wanted to reunite them on film.

     With cameras rolling, Charlie approached a group of ten elephants and was able to immediately recognize Neeta.  Standing at a distance he gently spoke, “Neeta, come here girl.”  She immediately recognized his voice, and started trotting toward Charlie.  In an emotional scene, both Charlie and Neeta “embraced” one another and then amazingly, Charlie led Neeta through their old circus routine from fifteen years ago.

     In John 10:14, the Lord described His relationship with His followers as such, “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.”  Today we hear His voice, we are led by His Spirit, and we follow His Word.  But there is coming a day when we will see Him as He is.  The true reward of running our race will not be the prize we receive at the end, but finally meeting, face to face, the Person who walked with us along the way. With no separation, no division, and no retirement we shall embrace Him, and He will embrace us for eternity.