Each step towards God is counted by the angels
An old man was living in the desert, about 12 miles from any water source. Each day walking to bring water, very tired and upset the man said: ‘Why do I need this daily tiredness? Rather, I should move my shelter next to the water, in order not be troubled anymore or to get tired’. But saying this in his mind, he felt somebody’s presence behind him, on his tracks. He stopped and waited for the one that was following him and asked him: ‘Who are you?’.
An old man was living in the desert, about 12 miles from any water source. Each day walking to bring water, very tired and upset the man said: ‘Why do I need this daily tiredness? Rather, I should move my shelter next to the water, in order not be troubled anymore or to get tired’. But saying this in his mind, he felt somebody’s presence behind him, on his tracks. He stopped and waited for the one that was following him and asked him: ‘Who are you?’. ‘I am the angel of the World and I’ve been sent to count your steps. As many steps there are, God’s reward will be greater’, said the one that was coming from behind. The old man moved his shelter further with five mile in order to receive even a greater reward when he heard these from the angel.
(Translated from Adrian Alui Gheorghe, Părintele Iustin Pârvu: o misiune creștină și românească, Editura Doxologia, Iași, 2013, pp. 219-220)
