There is something magical about authentic encounters in nature. I am never more aware of God and moved to worship than when I am surrounded by the natural world.

Walking in the early morning woods while the dew is still heavy on the leaves. Watching a deer silently follow me along the trail. Viewing the perfect sunset. I count these encounters as some of life’s great privileges.

In a recent trip to Australia, I was humbled almost daily. The majesty of the ocean was ever near with rolling waves and endless blue. The impressive kauri trees stood like giant sentinels in a Jurassic forest. Wild flowers meandered at waters edge and in countless gardens.

The animals stole my heart. The first time I saw a kangaroo laying casually in a hollowed out patch of dirt I felt giddy. They were less impressed to meet me. In fact, I don’t think a single one even turned its head to acknowledge my presence. No matter. I spent the next several weeks watching for them and getting excited when they were near enough to see a Joey in a pouch. I laughed when they hopped into sight of the train or bus window.

My love of wombats started in Australia zoo. In the early morning, at zoo’s opening, we stumbled onto the zoo keepers moving the wombats into the day enclosures. With tiny step stools and a leash harness, the wombats were loaded into wagons and transported to their grassland home. It was love at first sight. I encountered wombats several more times in Australia and each time I lingered longer as the tug on my heartstrings increased.

I also love birds. Luckily, Australia was full of them. Cockatoos, parrots, lorikeets, budgies all flying free. They would swoop down to visit and to see if I had anything good to eat. Hand feeding wild birds is extraordinary. Hearing a kookaburra or a butcher bird singing on the electrical wire outside the apartment was the perfect alarm clock. I counted it a privilege each morning to hear the many songs of my morning visitors.

Birds weren’t the only things in the trees. Thousands of flying foxes lined the park. Silently gliding through the air and hanging upside down from the trees. They made a lovely walk through the park even more interesting. What a privilege to share their world for a little while.

The parks with water features were also full of water dragons. Lazy creatures stretched by the water, they moved surprisingly fast if disturbed. It paid to watch where I walked. Otherwise we both would be startled.

Planning for Australia, I wanted to see a quokka, a rare little mammal that only lives on an island we unfortunately weren’t visiting. Lucky for me, the wildlife preserves we visited had quokka. They are curious, cute, and friendly. Sniffing and testing, the quokka ate from my hand while telling me a story in faint noises. I don’t speak quokka, but perhaps he understood my heart.

During our time in Australia, I was surrounded by birds, followed by wallaby’s, and even held hands with a pademelon (at his insistence). But nothing compares to finding koalas in the trees. Our first encounters were in zoos and sanctuaries. Once we learned what to look for, they were noticeable in the trees near subdivisions, highways, and parks.

At a sanctuary, I held a koala. Once safely in my arms, he reached out to return my hug. I was in heaven. I realized that I was responsible. I was charged with stewardship. He spoke to my soul about creation. He snuggled in and gently held onto my shoulder. Soft and smelling of eucalyptus, I didn’t want to give him up.

Each koala encounter was special. I also bonded with a young koala that I named Howard. He was curious and would follow my movements, even coming down out of the tree to get a closer look. Others were shy and would move further back in the leaves. Most would simply find a high branch and fall asleep, blissfully unaware of the dangers around them.

Sometimes the contrast between the idyllic settings of untouched forest and city life is jarring. Koalas were injured by dogs and cars during our stay. We met some incredible stewards who work really hard to protect the koalas and other wildlife from individuals who are so busy with progress that they can no longer see the treasure they risk losing out of greed and speed.

In a moment I will always remember, we were invited to witness the release of a koala who had been nursed back to health after a close encounter with a car. We held signs asking people in the park to be quiet. We had to ask people to put leashes on their dogs, even though it was already the law. We watched as the crate carrying the koala was placed next to a tall tree at the edge of the park. Once the crate was opened, the koala shot up the tree to the highest branches, happy to be home.

For the Beauty of the Earth…..for the Glory of the skies….. The natural world is a cathedral where I am called to look higher than myself. In it, I am reminded that there is beauty and joy. I am charged with stewardship. I am whole.