God’s Beautiful World

There is a story about a traveler hiking his way through the Alps. He was following steep trails that hung on the side of the mountains, often with fearful drops on both sides, trails that were strenuous even for the youngest, most fit hiker.

Along one of these trails the hiker overtook an old priest who was struggling, best he could, over the rocks, snow, and ice. Shocked as he was to find an aged man on the trail, the younger man jettisoned his manners and immediately asked, “What is an old man like you doing in a place like this?”

The old man answered, “My son, I am seeking the beauty of God’s world.” The traveler, again forgetting to be tactful, asked, “Well, haven’t you waited a bit late in life for such a venture as this one?”

The old priest, needing to catch his breath, invited the young…