Here’s a picture of our crew as we celebrate Sunny today. From my observation, Mother’s Day seems to be a bit sweeter for her than usual this year. Maybe that’s because Joshua and Abby Kate came home this week after finishing up their freshman year of college. Either way, I love the smile on her face as she is surrounded by all of her babies (and puppies).

Sunny and I met when we were teenagers. It was nearly 30 years ago that we started dating. I’ve had a front row seat as that young teenager became a college student, a young wife, a compassionate educator, and then a mother to our three children. Through every transition and every season, Sunny has been steadfast in her character. When I first met Sunny, what stood out to me most was her goodness. And this has been her constant disposition throughout the decades of our life together. I have never met anyone who wants to do the right thing more than Sunny. And this pursuit of goodness is her most quintessential characteristic. (For more on this, here’s a post I wrote about Sunny’s pursuit of goodness a few years ago. I still think it’s one of the best things I’ve ever written.)

Naturally, her pursuit of goodness overflows into our lives. When someone wants to do the right thing so much, she develops high standards. Expectations are inevitably raised. Such a person expects more out of you and teaches you to expect more from yourself. And that’s a good thing. I know that my life has been transformed by Sunny’s pursuit of goodness — and I think our children would say the same thing.

Jesus says that you’ll know a tree by the fruit it bears. Sunny, the Holy Spirit has borne plenty of fruit in your life, but today we are thanking God for the goodness He produces in and through you. Your goodness prompts us toward an even deeper pursuit of goodness in our own lives. We love you and appreciate you so much.

Mother’s Day 2024