From Jerry Lowry

Craig,

If I was going to rob a casino, I would definitely have you on my team. You have such an eye and mind for detail that it would probably go off without a hitch. You would be the Brad Pitt to my George Clooney. You would be the guy that counts how many times the security guards walk past the vault, and figure out the best way in to get to the good stuff. Meanwhile, I would be distracted by sparkly things and losing my shirt playing craps (mostly because I don't have the first clue how to play craps). Thankfully enough though, I am not planning on robbing anything, and you use your powers of detailed observation for good. In other words, I think that you have the Spiritual Gift of Discernment and you have used that gift to pursue me as a friend, and to lovingly call me out when needed. You have also used that to encourage me in ways that I never have before. As a husband and a father, and to be quite frank, as a grown-up Christian man, you have led me to an understanding of what Truth is, what Love is, what Friendship is, what Openness and Honesty is. This is the part where I could/should/would thank you, but weighing that natural response against the gravity of both of our pending moves here soon- "thank you" just doesn't seem to cut it.

A simple gesture of gratitude seems feckless and I cannot underscore enough how much you being in my life has meant. Strangely enough, in this context, one would suspect that I would heap compliments upon compliments on you, in essence making you my hero: the one who rescued me from screwing up my family, neglecting my wife, and allowing myself to forever live with the silly idea that I had God figured out. But that is the beauty of you and what you have taught me about maturity and friendship.You helped me know that it isn't about you (or me, or anyone else). You cared enough to talk me down off a wall when I wanted to move shortly after I got here because pride let me grow frustrated with my job. You threatened (loudly I might add) to kick my ass in the middle of a Jersey Mike's because of the way I was withholding myself from Claire and everyone else. Hands down, though, the greatest lesson you taught me was that I should NOT want to be like you. I should live to honor and emulate Christ. In all things I should seek to honor Him. In everything I do, in every relationship I have, in every beat of my heart- you helped teach me it was Christ that makes it worth it and it is Christ that gets the glory.

The Ocean's 11 reference above seems silly, but it is more of a metaphor than it is my attempt to avoid at all costs discussing matters of emotional vulnerability. I am the casino, and yes, you are still the Brad Pitt in the story here. The fact is, you did take the time to figure me out, to confront me, and to get me to open the vault that was my heart. It is no longer the well-guarded fortress that I wanted it to be to keep people out. Now I can share it with the ones that I love and that love me. Now I can be myself and not worry about wearing masks and using misdirection to protect my prideful and sin-filled ego. I can be who God made me to be, and that is a great feeling. You have been a great example to me, Craig, and as inadequate as it is or may sound:

Thank You.

Your Friend,

Jerry