Topic: Sometihng nice to do for a godparent

[Anastasia1]

What is something nice that I could do for my godfather?  Are there any nice traditions?

[augustin717]

I only know the prohibitions Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

[Nicene]

I recently brought my own a prayerbook.

[LizaSymonenko]

Give him a big hug, and take him out to lunch.


Seriously....the best "gift" you can give a godparent/sponsor is to be a good Orthodox Christian.

[Anastasia1]

Give him a big hug, and take him out to lunch.


Seriously....the best "gift" you can give a godparent/sponsor is to be a good Orthodox Christian.

I asked my co-worker because he is my friend and a really nice guy whom I already ask about things and learn from in a variety of things, mostly music-has good taste in music, Armenian, and every now and then on religion and work/career stuff.  Overall, I think he is a good influence on me as I am growing up in my first full-time job. I told him that I have no intention of being a perfect Armenian Orthodox, and he said he isn't a perfect one either.

My 500th post.

[LizaSymonenko]

Only God is perfect, but, we need to try our best.

While we realize we are not perfect, we still need to aim for perfection in our behavior, our words, our deeds and our beliefs, and not settle for mediocre. 

[Anastasia1]

Only God is perfect, but, we need to try our best.

While we realize we are not perfect, we still need to aim for perfection in our behavior, our words, our deeds and our beliefs, and not settle for mediocre.  

I get stressed out about being good enough. Years ago, in the worst year of my post-adolescent life, I remember questioning if I could be saved if I wasn't doing better at avoiding certain sins and being a better person enough. I've struggled with sin, shame, and self-judgement and always thought we should try to be perfect Christians starting on the outside or being like cheerleaders for Jesus in an evangelical way that I honestly don't feel very often. I stopped that church, sort of went to another one, and made some Christian friends at my new school, went to a very different kind of church from my family, and eventually found my way to an Orthodox church.  I chose someone that reminded me of God's grace and of the importance of love and whom I already know. I wonder if this was the right choice or if I am over-thinking things. He is excited because I am getting chrismated in an Armenian church and because being a godfather is a big responsibility. I don't even understand much of what these mean.

[LizaSymonenko]

It means he is going to take an active role in your life, to ensure you understand the Faith, and help keep you on track.  He will be there (theoretically) whenever you need help or a shoulder to lean on.

You shouldn't expect yourself to be "perfect" to the point that you wallow in self loathing and guilt, and get bogged down in misery.  However, you should set a goal of perfection for yourself....and try your best to achieve it....knowing full well, that you will stumble and fall....just remind yourself to get back up and continue the journey.

We can't allow ourselves to think we are "good enough" lest we get in a habit of sin and think nothing of it.  We need to recognize our sins, confess them, and make an honest effort of not repeating them.

I'm a godmother and I take the role very seriously.  I believe that one day I will be standing before God and not only answering for my own actions, but, to a degree...answering for the actions of my godchildren....and what I did to help them, teach them, etc. 

[Anastasia1]

I think I should talk to my godfather-to-be to find out what he thinks that will be like, since he seems more aware of the responsibility than I have been.

Someone suggested getting a picture at the chrismation and framing it for him with an inscripted date. What do you guys think?

[Thomas]

That would be nice.