Someone was telling me last week about a powerful message, claiming that the measure of a person can be gauged by the return of the trolley!

I went searching for this piece of wisdom to no avail, but I was sufficiently challenged to write some of my own reflections regarding this pivotal chore.

Shopping done, hot day, in a hurry, no-one around – the temptation to park and run can be strong. However, I have invariably found that this leaves a really uncomfortable sense of cheating. Why is this? I believe that we humans are intrinsically good and there is order in the world when we complete tasks set before us! Taking the trolley back to its rightful home in the “stable”, ready for the next harassed shopper is just one such task.

I do remember on one occasion when a knight in shining armour, dressed in his Coles uniform, whisked my trolley away just as I had finished unpacking – it was such a lovely gift on that hot afternoon that I actually used it as an example for a little homily in Religion class about doing the little things in life with joy!

The Bible tells us in Job 34:21 “For his eyes are on the ways of a person, and he sees all their steps.”

This calls us to account – it is not the big things in life that necessarily develop our resilience and test our integrity, but the little things that no-one else sees. When we can be trusted with the “little”, the “big” somehow take care of themselves!

When we are faithful in completing the task at hand, when we are willing to go the extra mile, it somehow shines in our eyes, is gentle in our hands and we can walk tall, sensing that God is smiling and we are trustworthy.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me Psalm 51:10

~ Mrs Sarah Pollitt

College Chaplain

Important Dates

Week 8