The Courage to Will and to Persevere

Words spoken by the Bishop, in his closing prayer for Adriel and Toby,

"Give them an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works."

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Our day started Guthrie, Oklahoma at Trinity Episcopal Church, for the baptism of two baby boys. Our daughter and son-in-law will be Godparents for baby Adriel.

Our day ended in downtown Oklahoma City at Skyline Church, at the celebration of Daniel's graduation from high school. Friends and family were gathered to share memories and speak blessings over Daniel, as he begins this part of his journey.

Speaking is a life-long friend of Daniel's, sharing many memories of Daniel, including one of him coming to the office after school and asking,

"Miss Alisha, may I please have a cookie?".

Always polite and respectful, even now as a teenager. His Dad is next to her on the other stool. The speaker's son, who adores Daniel is on one side of him, his Mom on the other. Out of the picture are others who adore this boy.

He's a unique teenager. He stands out with his good manners, good nature, optimism and faith. He's a gifted athlete. He gives the smallest child his undivided attention. Daniel has the gift of joy and wonder, and the courage to will and to persevere.

He moved here a year and a half ago, in the middle of his juinor year, during basketball season. He knew this family that spoke this afternoon, no one else. It's tough to move anytime. But it's especially hard during your high school years when you're so close to graduating. To go into unknown territory is a scary thing.

We saw both sides of the coin today with two baby boys and one teenage boy. All three boys are at the beginning of their lives, in one way or another. To continue through all the different beginnings of our lives, with the courage to will and to persevere is hard in the best of circumstances. Tougher in the worst of circumstances.

Trinity Episcopal Church was founded April 22, 1889 during the Land Run. The US government opened up the Indian Territory to satisfy the quench for more land. Oklahoma, the Indian's name for "the beautiful land" was the land they had been relocated to and thought they would have forever. Forever lied to and relocated, the American Indian.

I'm sure they were many young men, women and children venturing into unknown territory that day like Daniel. Who, with their inquiring and discerning hearts, had the courage to will and to persevere and settle the land we were on today.