When I first checked my phone on last Easter Sunday I noticed I’d received two (missed) calls from my Bank. I checked my account on-line and there seemed no cause for me to be concerned: still a few shillings there and no unusual or unexpected transactions. I felt it a bit early to call them; deciding to ring on my walk to church.

This Easter Sunday Worship Service had complications for me: all the music and privileged leading a Prayer segment – so I was slightly anxious to be fully prepared – guitar and accessories, song sheets and prayer notes, most importantly specs! Also the sun was shining – what to wear?; even though I’d prepared clothes the evening before.

Clomping along the street, my phone screen useless in the bright early morning sunshine, I dialled (dialled? which memory attic did phrase spring from?) my Bank.

Almost instant pick-up (what poor so and so is having to work the early Easter Sunday shift?) He told me his name was Mohammed, in broad Leeds brogue – so I guess – he was Ok with working at this time. Once the security questions were answered he told me there was a note on my account and he would have to pass me on to a colleague in another department.

After an anxious minute or so a liltingly reassuring Scots voice shared the news. A third party had found my wallet and called the number on my cards. The Bank had cancelled my cards and checked the last transactions; which were small and in my usual pattern of (random) spending. Oh dear, I hadn’t even noticed the wallet’s absence!

The wallet, by my carelessness, had been left at the Salvation Army Charity Shop in Luton Town Centre – they were going to lock it away. Although relieved that all was, basically behind the scenes, well. I went into a bit of a mental fizz as I was going away to Manchester to visit my daughter and family and I hadn’t quite got all my ticketing in order. I’d like to say I’d fallen on my knees and prayed (in the church garden) but I confess I tried to sort it myself. But God, in God’s infinite goodness, had got this! I was prompted to ask whether they had cancelled my Credit Card. No they hadn’t – for some mysterious reason. The agent said he could – but I was once again prompted to ask him to keep it; the wallet was safe in a decent place and it would serve me well until I could sort alternatives.
I was all of a tremble, actually, as the Service rehearsal was about to start and my mind was not empty and receptive.

I had to trust that God who had rescued me so far would have a better plan that I could struggle to devise. Although not referring to this directly, I felt able to celebrate the joy of God’s power and love in the Prayers.

To move forward a few hours I discovered that the Salvation Army Shop has a Facebook page. I cheekily (and hopefully sent them a message. Well great blessings – I had a response informing me that they were open Easter Monday. Praise God I felt confident this was going to all work out just fine.

Easter Monday – in a downpour – I biked in and was so pleased to be re-united with my abandoned Wallet. All intact. Thank you Salvation Army Shop, Luton – they are lovely people. I’m a regular with a loyalty card – so I am a bit biased!

Thank God for the integrity and clear-thinking of all these good folks. A man has been rescued by God and all the good in the world. I apologise to my dearest wife, Kym, for the anxiety caused by an old geezer losing his marble – oops I mean wallet.

Now next time you’re in the Mall (Arndale – as I know it) – pop in to the Sally Army shop – they have some lovely stuff. In fact some days all I’m wearing, apart from pants and socks, has come from there. In fact I wore the trousers that were an innocent character in the dropped wallet incident drama on Easter Sunday. Alleluia