The parable of the lost wallet

Last week, Reverend Terry Sadler lost his wallet.

Like many people’s wallets it contained identification, drivers’ licence, money, credit card, a pension card and personal items.

However, after searching high and low, Terry’s reaction was not one of annoyance or distress.

“Some may find this hard to understand, but I genuinely thank God that I lost my wallet” he said.

“I was in town and put my hand on my back pocket and the wallet just wasn’t there.

“I had no idea where it was.

“Why do I thank God?” he said.

“Because it really brought home to me what it means to lose everything suddenly, just like the victims of the NSW and Victorian bushfires.

“People have lost absolutely everything and they then have to depend on other people.

“When I lost my wallet I was suddenly in the hands of other people. I had no ID, no cash, and had to seek a new drivers’ licence and make arrangements for the other items.

“It gave me a renewed understanding of their loss.”

Rev Terry Sadler has spent his life helping others, as a member of the clergy, a community worker and a long term member of the Volunteer Rescue Association among many other roles.

He has been busy making toys for the children of bushfire impacted families of the south coast.

“So many people are helping the fire families in so many ways so I thank them and am thankful that I can do something as well” he said.

He said his experience in losing ‘everything’ suddenly had brought into even sharper focus the need to offer what support he could to fire victims, hence the children’s toys’ project which is now in operation around the clock.

Meanwhile, his lost wallet story had a happy ending.

“I came home and the wallet was on the verandah” he said.

“Someone had found it and returned it – everything was in it.

“I don’t need to know who it was. The important thing is there is someone out there who is very wonderful.”