God’s Direction Throughout Sale of Business

Last year it became clear to me that it was time to sell the advertising agency that had been part of my family for over eighty years. This was not an easy decision, and I was well aware of many cases where the sale of a family business went horribly wrong. I wanted very much to find a buyer who would be passionate about helping our clients achieve their marketing goals according to the honest and principled practices we had built the business upon.

The first thing I needed to do was eliminate my fear of not finding a buyer and having to close the firm. I held to the thought that our business was a right idea that would attract the right buyer, and fear couldn’t stop right activity.

The spiritual definition of Mind in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy includes this: “Deity, which outlines but is not outlined” (p. 591). This said to me that it is God who does all the doing, all the planning, all the outlining. I constantly rejoiced in the truth that God’s plan for our business was in operation, and that there was no other plan. There is no power or presence other than God, and therefore nothing that could interfere with God’s plan.

Divine Mind, the all-knowing intelligence, knows which resources best meet the need for any situation. As Christ Jesus told his followers, “Your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things” (Matthew 6:32). I could trust God and know that His planning is far beyond anything I could do humanly. No need would be left unprovided for.

Science and Health also states, “Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way” (p. 454). I knew that God is forever sending us His thoughts, and that I could keep my consciousness ready for these inspirations and right ideas. At times there were no signs of interested buyers, but I refused to be discouraged, rejoicing in the fact that at every moment, God’s plan was in operation, and I could be confident that wonderful things were taking place!

I continually prayed with these ideas, and before long we had three interested buyers. Hallelujah! As I had with each step along the way, I turned to God to lead me to the right choice, and after many meetings and much prayer, it was clear which buyer was the right one. The sale process took six months, and during this time there was harmony and agreement among both parties regarding all the details. 

It has been over two years since we sold the business. Under the new ownership, the business has continued to grow and be successful. In fact, the new owner has increased his staff by fifty percent to support this growth, proving that the business is a blessing for his family, employees, clients, and the community.

I am extremely grateful for Christian Science and the direction and harmony God provides in all aspects of our lives.

Bryan Holland 

Cincinnati, Ohio, US