Scott and Nancy Martin sat down at the kitchen table and opened their day planners. Over coffee and cereal they discussed their weekly schedules and synchronized their calendars.

While this sounds like the start of a normal work week for any married couple, this meeting was different. In addition to planning their personal lives, Scott and Nancy were planning their work schedule, because for more than 15 years they have owned their own business. Scott and Nancy own and run a maintenance and house cleaning business. Interestingly, they have no plans of expansion and are content to do the work themselves. Scott and Nancy have a strong work ethic that enables them to work hard to meet their clients' needs and treat them fairly.

Growing in Faith

Scott and Nancy grew up in the Midwest and came from deeply religious homes. While being religious sounds good, the problem with their upbringing was that the works part was emphasized, but a relationship with a loving God was not. Scott and Nancy struggled with understanding where religion met relationship with a personal and loving God.

They met early in life and began a courtship that quickly turned to marriage. Throughout their growth and maturity as a young couple, they developed a deeper understanding of God's love and his purpose for their lives. They became involved in a Christian church and developed friendships with other young couples and families.

Neither Scott's nor Nancy's parents went to college; in fact, they barely finished high school. Education was not a priority. However, a good work ethic was emphasized. Scott and Nancy followed their parents' examples by not attending college and by working in jobs where consistency and hard work were rewarded. When Nancy became pregnant with their first child, decisions had to be made about jobs and caring for their child. Scott and Nancy agreed that she needed to be a stay-at-home mom. They also agreed to home school their children. Scott had difficulty finding a job that would provide enough for his family and enable Nancy to stay home. Starting their own business seemed like the perfect solution.

Many years have passed since the day they sat down and decided to start their own maintenance and house cleaning business. The family grew and the business thrived enough to make ends meet. In addition to providing financially for the family, this business allowed Scott and Nancy to bring their children with them to their jobs and home school them. As the years passed and their family grew, so did their faith and relationship with the Lord.

Opportunities and Challenges

As it is with many jobs, Scott and Nancy face both opportunities and challenges to their faith. On one occasion a client tried to cheat them by saying he was not satisfied with their work. The client refused to pay them. It would have been easy for Scott to become angry and threaten his client with legal action if payment was not received. Instead, Scott prayed about it and then calmly discussed the situation with his client. The client seemed surprised that Scott remained calm and was willing to come to a compromise.

Scott and Nancy use the holidays as opportunities to share their faith. They give their clients cards and other items that emphasize the true meaning of Christmas and Easter. Wishing their clients a Merry Christmas or Happy Easter may seem like a small way to share their faith, but Scott and Nancy have received much positive feedback when they have done so. They have even seen doors open to share more about church and their faith.

Some clients have asked Scott and Nancy why they do not hire people to do their work for them. Both Scott and Nancy have a peace about their business and where God has brought them. While sometimes they feel challenged when people question their business goals, it also opens up opportunity for personal conversation. Many of their clients are wealthy and are surprised to run across people who are content without great wealth.

In addition to finding opportunities to share their faith at work, Scott and Nancy are involved in church and actively reach out to their neighbors. Whether it is filing tax forms, drawing up contracts, or working in someone's home, the Martins' job requires honesty and staying above reproach. In a world where ethics in business is not as commonplace as it ought to be, that in itself is a testimony to their faith. 

Susanne Dacus graduated from Pacific Christian College with a degree in Christian Education. She and her husband Brad work with Pacific Justice Institute in Citrus Heights, California. Brad and Susanne reside in Sacramento, California with their two children.

OTHER COLUMNS:
June 15, 2008 - A time saver who knows the soul saver
May 18, 2008 - Working by faith 24/7
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