Dave and Donna had it all— or so they thought. They lived each day going to the theater to audition and act. The theater is where they loved to work and the theater is where they fell in love. Although their salaries were modest, Dave and Donna had enough to enjoy life. They dined with friends and experienced all the city had to offer. Their love for drama and acting was actually influential in bringing them to the Lord.

Purposeful Living

One beautiful, sunny Saturday afternoon Dave and Donna went for a walk. They happened upon a theater group performing a drama in their local park. The group of amateur actors was doing a fine job communicating about a great toymaker who created and loved his toys and gave them life. The purpose of the play was to communicate the gospel and God’s love for people. The message of the play affected them and they discussed its meaning throughout the afternoon. Donna remembered an acquaintance at the theater who had mentioned being a Christian. Dave and Donna gave him a call. A great friendship was formed. After understanding their need to accept Christ, they did so, joined a church, and unabashedly began to share their faith.

As time flew by their lives changed dramatically, both in the area of work and family. Looking for stability Dave earned a degree in finance and became a certified public accountant. Donna became a full-time mother of three. After enjoying the younger years, the decision about schooling arose as their oldest child neared kindergarten age. At the church they were attending Donna came to know other moms, many of whom were home schooling. Assuming nearly all parents home school their children to the age of five, Donna figured she could tackle one more year. Dave agreed and wholeheartedly supported that decision. In addition to providing financially for their family, he also took an active part in the home school process. Because they excelled in different areas, Dave and Donna began to teach in the areas to which they were best suited.

While Dave had numerous opportunities to share his faith at work through honesty and integrity, both he and Donna knew the greatest impact of living and sharing their faith was at home. Because home schooling is, for all intents and purposes, a job, they knew that sharing their faith at home “on the job” had a far-reaching impact. Raising a family always has it challenges; however, “With great challenges come even greater rewards,” Donna says with conviction.

Purposeful Parenting

Everything seemed to be going perfectly until Dave called Donna from work recently. “Have you seen the news?” he asked his wife. Her mind racing, Donna carefully asked what had happened. “An appellate court in Los Angeles has declared home schooling illegal if the parent is not a credentialed teacher.” Dave and Donna had some tough decisions to make. They wondered if they should continue home schooling and, if so, could they risk losing their kids? All of a sudden their conviction to home school was put to the test. If they had to put their children in public school or risk breaking the law, what would they do? What if they put their children into a private school? Could they afford that? Donna’s friend from church encouraged her to contact Pacific Justice Institute. In addition to defending home school families free of charge, this ministry is also fighting in the courts to defeat this ruling. The school that had been a part of this ruling asked Pacific Justice Institute to defend them.

Dave and Donna realized that this court decision was serious and, if the state attempted to enforce this law, they would have some tough decisions to make. How deep was their commitment to home schooling? If forced to move to another state in order to home school, would they do so? Their commitment to home school transcended all other decisions and they decided they would do whatever necessary to teach their children at home. The legal counsel at Pacific Justice Institute encouraged them to continue teaching their children. If they had any problems with the public school or Child Protective Services they were to call the ministry to get professional counsel.

“This is a serious issue with serious consequences,” Dave says with concern. “But we maintain our commitment to raise our children as God intended us to raise them, consequences and all.” From the theater, to the park, to the home, God has transformed the lives of Dave and Donna. Their commitment to share their faith at work, which includes the home, is undeterred. |L

OTHER COLUMNS:
June 15, 2008 - A time saver who knows the soul saver
April 20, 2008 - Motown, music, and ministry
March 23, 2008 - Be One Sportswear
February 24, 2008 - Fighting for the faith
January 27, 2008 - Healing for the Healer
December 30, 2007 - Parenting faithfully
December 2, 2007 - Building physical and spiritual strength
November 4, 2007 - Taking Christ into the classroom
October 7, 2007 - Changing lives through music
August 12, 2007 - Strategies for business and life
June 17, 2007 - Finding fulfilling work
May 20, 2007 - Faithful to his calling
April 22, 2007 - An unstoppable witness
March 25, 2007 - The perfect plan
February 25, 2007 - Teaching with faith
January 28, 2007 - Changing a community—one event at a time
December 24, 2006 - Business by the book
November 26, 2006 - Growing through life’s storms
October 29, 2006 - Giving God his best