Despite the warm weather that only grew hotter, we enjoyed a short walk to Shepherd’s Lookout, where we took in the stunning view of the Molonglo River winding through the valley just outside Canberra. Some of our eager hikers used this as a practice walk with their packs in preparation for a bigger adventure planned for the following weekend.
From the lookout, we gained a broader perspective of the surrounding landscape. While Shepherd’s Lookout was named after the pioneering family that settled in the region, the name also reminded us of the Good Shepherd—our Heavenly Father. Standing at the lookout, we reflected on how having an elevated view gives a clearer perspective, much like God, our Shepherd, who sees beyond what we can from within the valleys of life. As our carer, protector, and provider, He understands our journey far better than we do and wants us to know that we can trust Him. Psalm 23 shows how much our Heavenly Father cares for us.
Then from the lookout, we descended the many stairs leading to the river, where we enjoyed morning tea by the rapids. Along the way, we spotted a long-nosed turtle swimming among the rocks and watched deer cresting the ridge in the distance. Feeling adventurous, we decided to rock-hop and wade through the cool river to rejoin the trail on the other side before making the climb back up to the car park. By the time we finished, the heat had intensified, but we all felt deeply satisfied, grateful for the opportunity to walk through God’s creation.
