An Update on Our Temporary Closing

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View the Original Closing Post

May 1, 2020

From Elizabeth Gunter:

When we announced in late March that we needed to take a step back for a season due to some family health issues, we had no idea what was going to unfold. In March both Mom and Dad were showing a need for more care to ensure they stayed safe and well. So, my brothers and I were using the time we were all told to shelter in place to be more present for our parents and figure out long term steps.

My intention was to re-open The Father’s Business store in April as we were settling into a new normal. Then Sylvia suffered a mild heart attack. We praise God for His protection over her. We are so grateful to all the frontline personnel who took excellent care of her in the midst of COVID 19. We saw God’s mercy and grace as my sister-in-law is a nurse at the hospital where Mom was transported. Even when the COVID protocol said no visitors, my sister-in-law could be with her in the hospital. We have much to be thankful for in the midst of this.

There are some other underlying issues going on with Mom’s health that are now made more complicated by the cardiac issues. So, we are going to need to continue to take it one day at a time for several months. We appreciate your understanding as we are in uncharted territory.

In the middle of all of this a dear friend reminded me of what I wrote at the end of the first devotional we sent out in 2020. I wrote

Thank You, Father, that regardless of what I may face in 2020, things known and unknown to me, nothing takes You by surprise. You are my Waymaker. You make a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Regardless of what 2020 brings, You will be with me. Help me stay close to You and learn of You.

I had no idea the many ways I would l have to live out what I wrote on January 1, 2020. At every turn in this journey, there is the temptation to wonder if this really is God’s best idea to have all of this during the midst of a pandemic. When I haven’t understood, I have clung to “the moon is round.” I had no idea what 2020 would be like, but God knew about all of it. For all of us going through things that feel like it is too much, God knows, He sees, He cares. He is our Waymaker.

Many have asked “How can we help?”

Pray and bless Sylvia’s spirit.

When we announced we needed to close for a season many wrote thanking Sylvia for all she had prayed and written through the years and said “now it is our turn to use her books to pray for her” Please pray for Sylvia’s complete healing and our family as the Lord leads.

Donate to The Father’s Business.

Part of annual income of The Father’s Business comes from selling resources online. Those funds help us cover the basic business expenses and cover the cost of things like sending out weekly devotionals to over 15,000 people and hosting our website. The rest of our income comes from donations. Your donations would give us the freedom to keep encouraging the body of Christ through weekly devotionals, social media, and email contact during this season.

Donate to the Father's Business

Your prayers and financial support are more critical now than ever before. Thank you for your prayerful consideration.

When do you think the store will re-open?

We are eager to open the online store again as soon as we feel we are able. We miss the connection we feel with each person who orders. Thank you for your patience and understanding until the way forward is made clear on to how best to care for my parents and serve the body of Christ.

We should know more in a few weeks and will let you know more at that time.

High Printed Book Prices on Amazon

In the mean time we have updated our FAQs on our website to include the question if we are selling print copies of Sylvia’s books on Amazon. Those books are not being sold by us. Sadly, some sellers are taking advantage of the fact that we are not selling books right now and charging outrageous prices far above the actual cost of Sylvia’s books.

Ebooks are Still Available on Amazon

We are selling several of her books as ebooks on Amazon at prices that are lower than the cost of the print version. Links to those ebooks can be found on our Home page.

Also, an archive of over 200 devotionals taken from Sylvia’s books are available for free on our website. We will continue to send out a weekly devotional even while our online store is closed.

Thank You!

Thank you for the many ways you have shown your love for my Mom and her ministry over the past month. It has been such an encouragement to our family.

The moon is round,
Elizabeth Gunter