September 2001 Volume 82 Number 9 "serving the protectors"
Chaplaincy Knocking off work to carry bricks
By David Marr

Comedian Tony Hancock once performed a TV episode where he was hypnotized. While he thought he was asleep in his bed, he was actually working all night carrying bricks. Each morning he returned to bed only to be immediately awoken by his scheming mate and sent off to his daily work. Hancock couldn’t understand why he felt so tired as he headed off to the office. Many of us carry bricks at night.

There are those who leave their jobs only to head out to other responsibilities at home or to perform extra duties in an effort to keep the family going. Others head off to lectures, tutorials or studies to provide greater career opportunities. Indeed, some are doing both. There is something though about being able to choose whether or not we take on extra burdens.

I have spoken with people who love going to work, particularly so they don’t have to be at home. On the other hand, there are people and situations in workplaces that are unpleasant, undermining confidence and effectiveness. People in either position may feel unhappy, discouraged or anxious. Their health and sleep are affected, leaving them physically tired or emotionally depleted. It’s as if they’ve been carrying bricks.

It is surprising what affects or burdens us individually. I believe I have the capacity to cope well with most things. I have done my share of hard physical labour, too, including wheat lumping, fencing and woodcutting. I have also pored over study books well into the night wondering how to meet assignment deadlines or survive the exam schedule.

Sometimes I think physical pressures are easier to bear. That is until the body gives out or health issues restrict our ability to function. I have mostly found little difficulty in sleeping well at night. That is unless something has gone wrong with my family, my car, or my boat. For some reason, when any of these circumstances exist, I lay awake feeling frustrated or burdened. I rise in the morning tired and find the worry revisits periodically during the day. The bricks we bear are varied and individual, producing a whole range of emotions and responses. The burden may leave us tired, frustrated, discouraged and less effective. It can be difficult to keep it all together.

I wonder if Jesus carried bricks. Did he lie awake at night fearful about some outcome? Was he afraid for himself, for his family or friends? There is an account of him sleeping during a storm at sea while everyone else was terrified. Other accounts depict him retaining his composure when confronted or threatened.

There is no doubt he sought places of solitude where he could relax and recuperate with his friends. Mostly, though, he retained clarity of mind and inner-peace because he faced the issues confronting him and dealt with them. It is something of this mix that will enable us to be freed from carrying personal burdens. Jesus invited the “burdened and heavy laden” of his day to accept his approach and experience authentic rest and peace.

SA Police Chaplains

Welfare Section 58	David Marr	8364 3567
	Senior Police Chaplain.
Academy 8	Brenton Daulby	8272 8324
Adelaide: Angas Street 158	Bruce Grindlay	8295 2220
Adelaide: Hindley Street 62	Bruce Grindlay	8295 2220
Adelaide Hills Division 54	Adrian Stephens	8398 2510
		Office: 8398 2517
Ceduna 214	Sybil Peacock	8625 3505
Christies Beach 20	Peter Coote	8381 3039
		0412 818 995
Clare 202	Michael Dutschke	8842 3681
Communications 172	David Hand	8376 5612
Elizabeth 52	Lindsay Mayes	8281 8088
Far North 210	John Folkman	8672 5011
Firearms/Records	Dianna Bartlett	8337 8552
Gawler 52	Brian Tscharke	8522 2288
Glenelg 22	Malcolm Thomas	8377 0772
Henley Beach 18	Tim Kowald	8449 6868
Holden Hill 44	Rod Dyson	8365 1170
Kadina 71	Vacant
Kingston 208
Mount Gambier 208	Brian Ashworth	(w) 8723 1353
		(h) 8725 2537
Murray Bridge 200	Malcolm Bottrill	8532 5536
Naracoorte 208	Bruce Cliff	8737 2457
		0417 811 702
Norwood 60	Lynton Wade	8362 2227
		0418 831 703
Nuriootpa 204	Andy Kowald	8562 1011
Port Adelaide 6	Jeff Oake	8341 5930
Port Pirie 206	Steve Ardill	8632 3977
Prosecution Services 176	Vacant
Port Augusta PS 210	Mark Thomas	8642 2487
		0401 671 850
Port Lincoln 214	Vacant
Riverland 212	Robin Zadow	8588 1540
Salisbury 53	Vacant
South East	Terry Natt	8571 1114
Sturt 12	Chris Beal	8278 9578
	Ian Dempsey	8296 7292
Tea Tree Gully 48	Bob George	8395 9363
Thebarton Barracks 32	Joe Grealy	8338 3225
Transit Division	Wayne Shepherd	8443 4895
Whyalla 218	Tony Redden	8649 3593

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