Recently I have made a priority to spend
time just one on one with my son, so every Monday afternoon him and I head out
for a bike ride, throwing a ball etc.
We have done many things together as a
family and enjoyed every minute but to have this time together as father and
son is great. Often as men we think we
need to be teaching our kids lessons every time we are with them I have seen
how just hanging out with no ‘teaching’ agenda has been great for our relationship.
To put aside the stresses of the day and give him the time he deserves has been
good for me as well as my son.
I have thought about the many tamariki out there
in our community who don’t have fathers and how can we as a community show love
and care for these ones. They say it takes six good adults to help form and shape
a well- rounded person, six people that contribute by being caring and
consistent. We have welcomed other
trusted men and woman into the lives of our children; my wife and I realize
from our own lives the importance of having good mentors and role models. This
community approach to raising our children helps give them a greater multi
dimensional way of seeing the world. As with the body of Christ we all have
different God given skills and giftings that can contribute to the lives of
others. Is there space in our busy lives to mentor and help grow others less
fortunate? They often are the ones who end up teaching us.
Even
involving a young person in our normal everyday activities can make a huge
impact on them, you don’t have to make additional time in your busy week just
bring them along side you and your families routines, washing the car, going to
the beach etc. Of course there is an
importance of getting to know the rest of the whanau to build trust, this in
itself is a great way to connect community.
A work colleague of mine told me that one
of the best memories he had as a young nine year old boy was when a youth group
leader picked him up and took him to buy a loaf of bread from the local dairy
once a week.
When someone takes the time to care it can
be an influence that can last forever.
Jason and his wife Councillor Meredith Akuhata-Brown are well known in Gisborne for their work in the community, particularly in Kaiti where they live alongside the people they care for and learn from.
Published in the Gisborne Herald 16 August 2014
Published in the Gisborne Herald 16 August 2014
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