Reflections Of Godparents Sunday

From the Desk of Sunday School Director Renee Taylor

Reflections on Godparent’s Sunday and our Remarkable Students

I‟m a dreamer and a planner. Always have been. From a very young age, I dreamt about
and made plans for my future. My Barbie dolls were a reflection of the life I wanted to lead.
In the „60s, Barbie was the ultimate fashionista, girlfriend, party planner and career woman
all rolled into one – and I wanted to be just like Barbie! I spent hours with Barbie, Skipper,
Ken – and an occasional G.I. Joe – role playing the person I couldn‟t wait to become.

As I grew up and entered corporate America, I found that dreamers and planners have
another name – future thinkers! Future thinkers see infinite potential in the relationships
between all things. Future thinkers push limits and ask “what if…” and “how can I make
it/this better?” Quite simply, future thinkers look at things not just as they are, but as they
can be. There‟s nothing wrong with being a future thinker, except sometimes we don‟t fully
appreciate the special moments in life as they are unfolding. Another business term I
learned is “be here now,” or “be in the moment.” Stop and breathe – appreciate what‟s
happening the moment, with the person you‟re with, in every experience.

You may have heard the saying, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, today is a gift;
that‟s why it’s called the present.” Well, I am thankful that for once, I was able to stop and
breathe and receive a very special present from our Sunday school students on Godparent‟s
Sunday.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and
glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

This year, three students chose to rededicate themselves to our
Lord, Jesus Christ and five students proudly proclaimed their Faith
in the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. I am so proud of
the commitment and dedication these students demonstrated
over the last few months – researching and studying, planning
and preparing for the big day. Every one of them: Ryan, Salina,
Kosta, Tommy, William, Anthony, Alexandria and Andriana – were
aware of the seriousness of their endeavors and put 100% into
defining their Faith and internalizing the importance of making
Jesus Christ

I oftentimes tell people I learn more from my students
than they learn from me, and this year Andriana Malhi‟s
oratorical presentation taught me that God wants us to live in the present and not worry
about the future. She shared from the book of Matthew (6:31-34), “Therefore do not be
anxious, saying, „What shall we eat?‟ or „What shall we drink?‟ or „What shall we wear?‟
…But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added
to you…do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient
for the day is its own trouble.” Stop and breathe – appreciate the moment. Thank God for
the gift of today and don‟t worry about what you don‟t have, or what you should do, or what you want to be. What we have is sufficient; every gift from God is perfect and to Him we
give the glory.

It‟s ok to be a dreamer and a planner. It‟s ok to see possibilities, want to make things
better, and aspire to become the person God intended you to be. Just make sure you
consciously live in the moment because you never know when God will bestow another
perfect gift upon you – it just may be today!

Upcoming Events

Back by Popular Demand! The Holy Week
Experience – April 1st and 8th

Immediately following the Divine Liturgy, all parishioners
are invited to an interactive walk through the seven days of
Holy Week in each of the Sunday school classrooms. Our
students will be your teachers with each class representing the the teachings of one day in Holy Week. You can check out last year‟s Holy Week Experience
video and others featuring our students on the “gr8greekgirl” YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/gr8greekgirl

WANTED: Myrrh Bearers for Good Friday Service, Friday – April 13

Third through sixth grade girls are invited to serve as Myrrh
Bearers at the Service of the Lamentations on Good Friday
evening, sprinkling rose petals upon the Tomb of Christ. Drop
me an email (gr8_greek_girl@yahoo.com) if you have a
daughter, granddaughter, godchild, niece, etc. who wants to
participate. No experience necessary; Myrrh Bearers are
required to wear a modest all-white dress or skirt/blouse.