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This time of year is always a poignant one for parents. Some are sending children to school for the first time, some are sending young men and women into the new world of high school, others are bidding farewell to young adults as they leave home for college.

Every stage of life is a challenge for parents. This presents me with the opportunity to remind all of us (parents as well as grandparents) of the tremendous responsibility we have in raising children.

The following article appeared in a town newspaper many years ago, but its truth is still valid today. It was titled “Open Letter to My Parents.”

“I am your child. You have brought me into this world and raised me to what I am today. If I am not what I should be, please don’t be too harsh with me, for I am your product, and by my actions I advertise the quality standard of home.

Do not point at one of my playmates as an example of how I should behave, for by doing so you are admitting that they are doing a better job than you.

You say that you love me, and yet is has been years since you put your arms around me at bedtime and with tears in your eyes asked your heavenly Father to watch over me as I slept.

You seem more interested in my school grades that in the condition of my eternal soul. You give me the impression that is better to e popular than to be pure; better to be attractive on the outside that to have that “inner beauty” that comes to one who loves the Lord.

So the next time you feel like throwing up your hands and saying, ‘I can’t do a thing with you,’ please remember you have had the opportunity to influence me since I was born. The Bible says, 'Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.' (Proverbs 22:2)

Parents, grandparents, don’t let your time of influence pass. They will soon be out the door for good.

--Pastor Charlie Paxton

Hello everyone,

Thank you all for visiting bobbyraikes.com. This section of the site will be used as a weblog for myself, members of the band, and various pastors and teachers to provide thoughts, lessons, or any other words of wisdom.

Please check back often, as the information will be changing regularly.

Also, please stay tuned for the release of the new album, Straight Street. I know that The Lord has been helping us with this project!

Thank you all and keep on driving on Straight Street!

--Bobby Raikes