God-parenting

When a friend or relative asks you to be a godparent, it’s quite an honor. It can be so flattering that too many people are quick to accept without truly considering the other side of being a godparent: the responsibilities.

Most of us know godparents as people who stand next to infants’ and toddlers’ beaming parents as priests/pastors prepare to baptize the children. Many godparents are mostly best friends with the child’s parents which may be a reason that some view god-parenting as more of an acknowledgement of parents’ good friend.

From the above statements, it comes across as though we have lost the real purpose and value of having godparents in our children's lives. The role of godparents has traditionally been more expansive than just supporting parents and children during the infant christening ceremony. Godparents are supposed to ensure the child's life is fulfilled religiously/spiritually and not just become more of a "second parent" to the child in the sense of being there for them, nurturing them, teaching them about life and so forth. Christian Essentials states that: when adults promise to be godparents, they are promising to do all in their power to support the child in his/her life in Christ.”

To fulfill their role as godparents, adults should regularly pray for children they have promised to godparent. They should also set a positive example for children and encourage children to continue in their faith, particularly during difficult times in the children’s live. They should view their role as public recognition of who can step in and help steer a child’s life, especially should parents struggle to raise their children in healthy, balanced ways.

If you truly want to take on that responsibility and be a great godparent, take time out to fully understand the role. Even people who are not christians still like to invite an adult mentor to be in a child’s life. The term godparent has become broader because of this, so it’s not necessarily always in reference to a specific religion. 

More than anything, your role is to be another person in that child’s life who the child can love and look up to for acceptance, support and guidance. You don’t have to be the smartest, richest or the most fun—in the long run, just be there for the kid. That’s going to make the most powerful difference in the child’s life. 

Be There....