Heaven-Sent

Shortly after World War II, a covert US agency was established to recover scientific records left by one of Hitler's top-secret programs. The dictator once dreamt of creating the perfect soldier but ran out of time as the war ended. The agency was directed to pick up where they Germans left off but with one huge difference: they were asked to scientifically create the perfect human being.

The agency achieved its goal. In 1950, the top-secret laboratory became the birthplace of the first American test tube baby. Over the next eight years, they eagerly molded their prototype into a unique creation they named Gabriel.

Per the plan to assimilate the youth into society, Gabriel was abandoned at the front door of an unsuspecting middle-class family. The scientists hoped Gabriel would be accepted into their home and would quickly acclimate into their lifestyle. The plan worked. The chosen family embraced the orphan as a heaven-sent answer to their prayers.

Maynard, the family's biological child, discovered his new brother was gifted with unimaginable abilities. For example, Gabriel had a photographic memory and could recite the entire Bible by the age of three. He had an indescribable talent to hear other people's thoughts and alter them. The youngster recorded the second highest IQ score ever achieved. He even demonstrated eyesight comparable with elite predatory birds. Because of his vision, Gabriel soon became a baseball phenom and the best pure hitter to have ever stepped into a batter's box.

After a work-related tragedy killed her husband, the wife relocated with her two sons from Clovis, California, to Portland, Oregon. It was a blessed opportunity to begin anew. Gabriel excelled. On the diamond, the youngster distinguished himself as a local hero by leading his team to a state championship. Off the field, a few kids attempted to bully him. Gabriel, a devoted follower of Christ, protected himself without sacrificing his beliefs.

Gabriel was valedictorian of his high school graduating class, after which he went on to play professional baseball in the minor leagues. He was a rising star on the verge of greatness when divine providence interceded.