This – if you hadn’t figured it out for yourselves – is what’s known as an “angel in training.” Notice the leading edge of a sparkly wing, the angel robes, and – of course – the pink angel booties, along with the special anti-glare angel glasses designed to protect the young seraph from her own radiance.

Don’t be fooled by the grin; this here is one serious cherub. You think Gabriel had attitude? Just wait till Beks hears you say “NO!!” about anything, just try getting her to do something when she has another idea in mind… Zechariah (Luke 1) got off lightly!

MESSENGER: All kidding aside, my granddaughter really is an angel. I say that because the role of angelic beings seems to be – consistently – that of delivering messages from God. And, from my point of view, I can see very clearly what kind of message God is sending via Rebekah Mae.

The message goes like this: “Dear Derek. Just in case you forget about what’s really important, and in case you get sidetracked regarding where I want your attention to be focused, spend a little extra time with my messenger, Beks Campbell. Your beautiful granddaughter has some of what I call purity of heart going on, and because of that it is easier for her to keep me in clear sight. You should try that once in a while, Derek. You see, when you begin to lose your purity of heart, then it’s awfully difficult to connect with a holy God. Sincerely – God.”

God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God. – Matthew 5:8

It’s not that my granddaughter never acts out, or that she never misbehaves, or that she walks around making rainbows all day. Not at all. Fact is Beks already knows how to smack her brother when she thinks no-one is looking, she is also extremely opinionated, she has a serious aversion to the word “no,” and she can get quite the attitude once in a while. But that’s not what purity of heart is about.

Her heart is pure inasmuch as it is not polluted, it’s not contaminated. Beks is not hampered yet by shame. Shame is what kept Adam and Eve hiding in the underbrush when God came by for a time of face-to-face conversation and fellowship. And, in consequence, they could not see God.

The message God sends my way through Beks is clear. “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” – Jesus, Mark 10:14-16

Or, as Peterson paraphrased in “The Message”, “Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.”

My grandson, David, by the way, completely agrees!