a sacred responsibility

I've had more than one reminder this week about the sacred responsibility of raising God's children. My Dad was here visiting, and on the way to take him to the airport he said (reminder #1) "You know raising your kids is the most important thing, right?"
Of course I know this. Of course, but sometimes I need a reminder. Today in relief society our lesson was Sister Tanner's talk for conference My soul delighteth in the things of the Lord. In this talk Sister Tanner quotes President Hinckley: (reminder #2) "How much more beautiful would be the society in which we live if every father and mother reguarded their children as gifts from the God of Heaven and brought them up with the true affection in the wisdom and admonition of the Lord." This makes me think about how quickly I can forget that they are gifts from God. Precious, sacred gifts.
After these two reminders it prompted me to pick up the Proclamation. This counsel from the First Presidency and the Twelve Apostles lays it out plain and simple.
"Husband and Wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. 'Children are an heritage of the Lord' (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives--mothers and fathers--will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations."

I've had more than one hard day in my 8 years of parenting, and I can honestly say that when my sanity is hanging by a thread, I've lost my eternal perspective. Why is it that when I'm going through a hard day that my mind is so slow to remember the eternal perspective?
While my brother was serving his mission to Japan I went through a time where parenting was particularly difficult. Dan's (my bro.) emails from his mission were always so upbeat and exciting and full of energy and intensity. One week I got his email and it didn't sound like him at all. It sounded a little dull and depressing. It may have been that he just didn't have the time to write, but for some reason I was concerned about him and sent him an email back to encourage him and told him that I was having a hard time with my kids. Here is what he sent back:
hey jessioka, hows life? i know you are probably the hardest workin mom, around, missionary work seems easy compared,...i really liked what you said i think i have been thinking about the same thing lately, setting goals, and working to inspire my self more, id like to share a little about what i have been thinkin lately...... this is mark 8 34 ¶ And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? in missionary work there are a lot of hard things but, its easy to think about Jesus, and if we think that we are doing something hard for Christ, it becomes a pleasure, a sacred duty, you are raising a family up unto the lord, every action you do is service for the savior, because of that you look at your life as a microcosm of Christ's life, that is power baby, i love you jess, keep it up,elder
I can't tell you what this email meant to me. It made me realize that God knows each of us. He's listening. He hears. He answers. He answers sometimes through a friend or brother or a scripture. I hope that the next time I have a rough "Mom" day that I can remember the eternal perspective, that I have a sacred duty....and to find pleasure in it.