My husband and I attended a wedding rehearsal dinner last Friday night. There was so much we could have said, but as the creative, props-in-hand roasters paid tribute, we realized that momentum would wind down before we got our scattered selves together. And... somehow it seemed too small a crowd to share with anyway. A person who connects across state, gender, educational and philosophical lines really needs a bigger ‘room’ for those festivities. By now, the new couple, Glenn and Stephanie Lucke, should be baking on a honeymoon beach. Back home, I’d like to spread the tent pegs and invite you to join me in continuing the comments.

For my part, I met Glenn almost 22 years ago. He had just finished his freshman year at Dartmouth and cautiously followed a high school friend to her Bible Study where I was teaching "Don’t put God in a box." He had been sincerely redeemed from his cynical before-Christ self, but his faith was not yet a year new and somehow I could sense that fact. He was an arms-crossed 6'6" physical and intellectual tower of intimidation. My 98 lb. self was eager to finish and get the heck out of there. I thought I was free of him, as no one with that look on his face would dare come back around. Nope, that very week he showed up at my work, po boy sandwich in hand and full of questions. He’s been picking my brain and challenging my thoughts ever since - always to my betterment. No doubt many of you first encountered ‘investigator Glenn’ also.

Since then he, my husband and I have enjoyed a long, full friendship. We’ve learned many things about each other. Did you know he can eat? We’ve regularly watched him wipe out the buffet at Mr. Gattis - really. A good pre-meal chuckle for us was to watch the manager’s expression as we walked in with him. Funny how they went out of business not too long after he became a patron. Though many meals we have shared have been voluminous, they all have been overflowing with laughter, authentic sharing, thoughtful discussion and the invited presence of Christ. I’m sure many of you have shared the table of true fellowship with Glenn and been the fuller from it.

OK, I guess we should mention driving. For years, he selflessly volunteered to drive the rental moving truck full of sound equipment and supplies to our High School Beach Retreat in the summers. He logged hours of flawless cross country driving in those trucks (always keeping a trivia game alive over the radios and always handily defeating us). Of course, there is the historic live oak in uptown New Orleans that has a good wedge ground out of it from the swipe he gave it. Then there was the time that I gathered something was wrong when I heard an elderly tourist cussing loudly down in the drop off line at the condominiums where we were all staying. Yeah, when I looked over the balcony, it was obvious that Glenn’s truck had availed it’s forward-moving weight on that man’s open car door. It was really open after that. But I also saw him handle it with humility and grace. It has been good to endure the blunders of life in the presence of a friend who gives grace. I think I’ve received more than I’ve given with Glenn.

All weekend, my mind reviewed the memories. Some are of belly laughter over the widest variety of things, including the medicinal properties of hot lemons (ask him about it later) and paddling the ‘scapeboat’ over high seas. Some are of sorrow in the death of a loved one and the heartbreaks that life has brought us. There has been elation over seeing students ‘get it’ and weeping over those few who have turned and walked away. The sweat of work, the trial of correction, and long hours of listening have taken place these years - the gamut of life.

My final thoughts were about how good it is to invest in the body of Christ with a view to eternity. I was reminded not to miss opportunities to share this life with those we will be glorified among in the next. Twenty years will seem like nothing then, but what a privilege to have such a start now with such a great friend. Thank you, Glenn for being so true and faithful to Dave and me. Your willingness to engage both your heart and mind for reaching the world has been contagious and effective. You serve well, love better and have the keen sense of discernment to know when God sends an amazing woman your way.

Blessings to you, Dr. and Mrs. Lucke. I yield the floor.