On yesterdays morning run, I meandered along a packed trail lined with ancient eucalyptus trees. Cockatoos perched the power lines and gum tree limbs with their yellow crested heads. Under watchful eyes I ran while they squawked like cartoon characters. Zig-zagging up the hill I passed fluffy rabbits, cackling over sized ravens and camp robbers, and startled a group of seed eating, rainbow colored parakeets. I hoped to see a kangaroo. Instead I ran through
hundreds of wallaby’s whose bald-faced stare and strange ambulation’s made me laugh.
I’m in Canberra, Australia, speaking at a National Leadership Conference with my Alma matter: Youth With a Mission and the guys at Australian Relief and Mercy Services. I love these people. I love to talk about the people of Burma and ignite passion to help them.
Running the same forest track this morning I ran towards a group of curious wallaby’s. A couple of them hopped effortlessly over a barbed wire farm fence. With a smooth motion they flew well over 7 feet into the air. They are only 3 or four feet tall to begin with. One of the grey creatures sat on the ground. He didn’t move when I drew close to him. Finally, awkwardly, he stood up on his one good leg and began limping away. “Sorry boy,” I said.
Running down the last hill towards the conference center I startled a group of bright multi-colored parrots, and while they flew away from me, a lone wallaby stared me down until I laughed at him and reminded them all that God is amazing. I shouted it to them all; to the stones and trees and grass and shrubs; to the Wallaby’s, lorikeets, and parrots I shouted, “God you are amazing!” If anyone were watching, they would have thought I flipped my lid.
My spontaneous worship was mixed with laughter. Alone in the woods, I stood in awe of simple beauty.
Hi Steve. Great to hear you are in Australia. Are you coming up to Brisbane? It would be good to see you again.
Sorry Claire, but I’m already in Thailand. Maybe next year! Amy excuse to visit Australia I’ll take – great country/