By watching my wife Renuka care for our children, I have learned so much about the perfect love of Jesus.  Not only does she mother Dominique, Vanessa, and our one on the way (her natural children), but also our teenage children from my previous marriage, Tara, Shawn Jr., and Jacob,

as her own.  Very few of us understand how difficult that can be.  All of our children feel loved when they are in her presence.  That is to say, they understand how special and wonderful they are by her warm smile, her tireless effort, her caring touch, and her incredible sense of humor and playfulness.  Even when Renuka disciplines the children, they feel her love.  This is something that I can only pray to learn from her, to imitate her heart.

Perhaps Renuka's greatest mothering attribute is the way she teaches the children's hearts, not just their behavior.  When they misbehave, she desires to understand them from the inside out.  When we have our family devotionals, she asks questions of the children that challenge them to think about God, rather than merely digest Bible facts and stories.  She gets her wisdom, patience, and strength from her times with God.    This allows her to see our children through the eyes of Jesus.   

For these reasons and many others I would like to publicly honor the love of my life and teacher in many ways, Renuka, on Mother's Day.