December 2012 marked the eighth anniversary of the grand opening of Sunrise Medical Campus. On December 3, 2004, the morning after our celebration, I had written: "Lord Almighty, it seems You have thrown open the floodgates of heaven and poured out so much blessing we will not have room for it! At long last we celebrated the opening of Sunrise. Be glorified there every day!"
Years earlier the Lord had given the vision to provide the community with a medical facility on South Hill. God's grace and provision had made it possible. The dream became reality, and we were happily involved in the administration of both the Medical Campus and the Oasis Cafe. This was our life...our ministry...and our comfort zone....
Years earlier the Lord had given the vision to provide the community with a medical facility on South Hill. God's grace and provision had made it possible. The dream became reality, and we were happily involved in the administration of both the Medical Campus and the Oasis Cafe. This was our life...our ministry...and our comfort zone....
| | Setting up for Friday night music at the Oasis Café. |
Then came the email. The first of what would be many. A commercial real estate broker expressed interest in brokering the sale of Sunrise. It became a challenge to ignore the changes of seasons in our lives. Another look back to my journal at that time tells the story:
December 31, 2012: "As I approach the New Year I want to focus on You. The Winds of your Spirit are shifting in my life..."
January 1, 2013: "I pray Your protection over my family...a holy force-field that allows penetration of only that which will ultimately bring You glory and increase our faith. You are all-wise, and You know that which will bring the perfect combination of heat and pressure to separate the pure ore in our lives from that which is waste..."
January 18, 2013: "I pray for wisdom in knowing how to prepare for the times we are facing...find us faithful, Lord."
In March, after multiple phone calls and emails from various real estate brokers, we began to consider that the Lord might be trying to tell us something. Henry consulted with our corporate accountant, who recommended calling a meeting of the top investors at Sunrise. We began then, to pray for absolute clarity.
On May 2, 2013 we hosted/catered a dinner for the top twenty investors at The Oasis.
After dinner Henry presented our dilemma. After nearly ten years of un-rippled operation and great blessing...and not a single offer to buy or sell Sunrise, there had been a barrage of emails and phone calls. He simply told the investors, "We are here to get your input."
After dinner Henry presented our dilemma. After nearly ten years of un-rippled operation and great blessing...and not a single offer to buy or sell Sunrise, there had been a barrage of emails and phone calls. He simply told the investors, "We are here to get your input."
After a few moments of awkward silence, one of the senior investors, wise and well respected, stood up. His countenance was solemn. I will NEVER forget his words:
"This nation has passed the point of no return. We have accrued so much debt, there IS NO WAY TO PAY IT OFF! It is no longer a matter of 'if', but 'when' the whole thing WILL come crashing down. If you have a buyer, get out!"
"This nation has passed the point of no return. We have accrued so much debt, there IS NO WAY TO PAY IT OFF! It is no longer a matter of 'if', but 'when' the whole thing WILL come crashing down. If you have a buyer, get out!"
By the end of the evening almost every one of the eighteen investors in attendance communicated similar, grave concerns. The decision was unanimous. A committee was formed to select a broker. Our days at Sunrise Medical Campus and the Oasis Cafe' were numbered. We had prayed for clarity...and the Sovereign Lord has answered our prayer.
To be honest, as I was cleaning up, rearranging The Oasis for opening the next morning, I found myself in a shock-induced fog...and enveloped in melancholy. I had absolutely no idea what the future would hold. The next day I found myself singing the old hymn:
"I need Thee, Lord I need Thee
Every hour I need Thee..."
"I need Thee, Lord I need Thee
Every hour I need Thee..."
And in my journal I wrote the words to a popular song:
"All I know is I'm not home yet, this is not where I belong
Take this world and give me Jesus, this is not where I belong..."
"All I know is I'm not home yet, this is not where I belong
Take this world and give me Jesus, this is not where I belong..."
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