The drive down I-95 from Andrews Air Force Base into Washington, D.C. to the Renwick Gallery was uneventful. Jonathan and Goel’s conversation was basically about the possibilities of what the President wanted to discuss with them. When the duo had arrived, they found they had an hour to spare. So, they decided to look at the different forms of art featured at the gallery. Jonathan graciously dismissed himself to the men’s room and left Goel near the painting of the angel Israf’El.
Goel stared at the picture incredulously, shook his head, and muttered disdainfully, “Hmmph! Yeah, right!”
When many thought of angels and envisioned them, they thought of fat little babies who spent all their time floating in the ethereal, looking around thoughtfully. Although they did spend a large portion of their time in thoughtful praise to God, angels were in fact fearsome warriors who were far from the chubby toddlers depicted. As a matter of fact, Israfel was one of the commanders of the Mal’akhim Habbalah who operated within the ranks of the Powers under the orders of Goel. And he knew that Israfel did not look that way. The commander was an angel of wrath and destruction and not some effeminate weakling who spent all day strumming a harp. He battled the forces of darkness with a keen eye, and a single-minded rapaciousness second to none.
Shaking his head, Goel walked away from the painting and noticed a small child standing in a corner crying softly. The beautiful little boy had golden blond hair and big blue eyes that were wet with tears.
Drawn to the fear that emanated from the child, Goel carefully approached the small boy and said gently, “What is wrong, little one?”
Looking up through his tears, the child said, “I lost my daddy, and I don’t know where he is.”
Compassionately, Goel kneeled in front of the distraught child and said, “Do not worry; your father will be here shortly. I will stay with you until he arrives.”
Immediately trusting the giant stranger, the boy placed his tiny hand in Goel’s larger ones and said with the innocence and insight commonplace to children, “Are you an angel?”
Knowing that children have a special affinity for seeing the ethereal, Goel answered truthfully and said, “Yes, little one, I am.”
The sweet, chubby face stared at him.
Smiling, Goel added, “We cannot tell everyone who I am just yet. We must keep it a secret for now, can you do that?”
The child vigorously nodded his head as the disguised angel knelt in front of him.
“Your name is Michael Daniel Worthington. You are named after your father and your mother’s father.”
Smiling joyously, Michael said, “You are an angel! You know my name!”
“That is correct, and I also know your mother has recently died.”
Sadly, the boy replied, “She was sick, and Jesus came to take her to Heaven.”
Goel eyes locked on Michael’s, and he replied, “You are an intelligent boy. Again, you are right. Jesus sent an angel, who is a friend of mine to bring her to him. She is very happy, and she loves you very much. She is not in any more pain, and she cannot wait to see you again.”
With wisdom beyond his meager years, Michael said, “I know Mommy is happy, but my Daddy isn’t. He misses her very much, and he is sad all the time, even though he thinks I don’t know it.”
The boy continued. “Daddy is mad at God for taking Mommy, and he doesn’t like church. I told him if he wants to see Mommy again he shouldn’t be mad at God, believe in Jesus, and go to church.”
Goel was amazed at Michael’s insight as he said, “Do you believe in Jesus, Michael?”
Michael vigorously nodded his head and said, “Yes! He died so that I can live!”
Goel tenderly placed his hand on the boy’s head and said, “Blessed are you, little one. Your faith as made you free, and your faith will save your father. Just keep praying for him, and he will see. And, guess what?”
“What?”
“I have a friend whose name is Micha’El, like yours. He trusts in God just like you. All will be just fine, you will see.”
Suddenly, a man bounded around the corner and said with a loud voice, “Michael! There you are!”
The boy’s father, Julian Michael Worthington, was a pretentious, arrogant man who rarely smiled. As a wealthy stock broker, money and the acquisition of more wealth was the only thing in life that gave him joy, other than his only son. His wife, Maria, was the one thing that gave him a reason to smile. When she died a slow death through ovarian cancer, the little faith he had died with her. Maria, on the other hand, was a devout Christian, and she passed her beliefs on to their adorable son. Julian, however, was the type of man who could only believe in that which was tangible. So, he had little time for something like faith in God.
Rushing up to his son, Julian said to Goel, “My clients rarely give me a moment’s peace. Being the top broker in my firm makes me a popular man, and they call me at the most inopportune times. I only turned my back for a second, and he was gone. Kids, you know how they are.”
Goel’s face was as impassive as stone.
“Yes. Being a busy man, it is hard to pay attention to that which is little.”
Julian cocked his head at what Goel had said to him, but after looking at Goel’s considerable size advantage, thought against saying the retort which had formed in his mind.
Instead, Julian stammered, “Uhh… well, my clients have entrusted me with a substantial amount of capital to invest.”
Reaching out suddenly, Goel grasped Julian’s arm in a vise-like grip of steel and said with a quiet power, “God has entrusted you with something far more precious than wealth or the gain of it, the life of your son! Do not be a fool. God is not mocked! Your wife’s fondest wish is to see you and her son in the next life, but at the rate you are going, you are headed for destruction! But you have time to change! Your son and wife love you very much and, most importantly, God does too! For the sake of your soul, listen to your son!”
Julian had never before felt the raw power of the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. It surged through his very being like an electrical charge. This stranger had conveyed to him what his wife had said to him so many times, but never like this. The widower remembered something his wife had told about being careful to be kind to strangers because many have entertained angels unaware. He wasn’t sure if this was an angel, but he was definitely someone special.
Taking his son by the hand, Julian said, “Thank you for caring for my son, and I hear your words. I will listen to him.”
Folding his arms across his massive chest, Goel rumbled, “See that you do.”
Looking upward, Goel continued, “He will be watching and listening.”
Little Michael looked back at Goel and said, “Thank you, mister! God bless you!”
Goel nodded nobly at the child and said, “He has and He will. And by the way, my name is Goel.”
Smiling at him, Michael said, “Thank you, Mr. Goel!”
Goel smiled at the boy and abruptly stopped when Julian looked at him.
Glaring sternly, Goel said, “Remember my words, Julian Worthington. Seek the Lord while He still can be found.”
Fearfully nodding his head, Julian turned to his son and said while walking away, “Did I tell him my name…?”
At that instant Jonathan returned from the bathroom.
“Did I miss anything?”
“Nothing of great import, only a brief conversation with a father and son.”
Knowing Goel did not mince words lightly, Jonathan smirked and said, “I’m sure, Goel.”