I first came across Lara’s blog this past summer when she was featured in a Find a Friend Friday post at Diapers & Divinity. Her blog is full of beautiful photography and great inspiration. One thing I know we have in common is our love of music – only Lara can sing (and look great in a hat, why can’t I look good in a hat like that?)!
Lara is the mother to three amazing daughters and wife to a musical genius. When she is not working on her mother-of-the-year status, you can find her singing professionally, teaching other people how to sing, taking hundreds of photographs, reading a good book, finding a great deal on groceries, or maybe even scrapbooking (that is, if she’s not blogging).
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 will always remember the moment when my first child was placed in my arms. She was so alert, and her eyes locked on mine and seemed to see into my soul. As I looked into those piercing eyes, I felt the weight of the responsibility I had accepted as her mother, and it was much, much more than the six pounds and five ounces she actually weighed. It was an eternal responsibility—one for which I would surely stand before God and be held accountable.
In the nearly eleven years since that moment, I have been reminded of my responsibilities to her (and her two younger sisters) many, many times. These reminders come several times a day, and in several forms:
When I am exhausted from a long day of cleaning and teaching and mothering and the girls begin to bicker, I am reminded that I have a sacred duty to rear my children in love and righteousness.
When my Kindergartner asks for “just one more something to eat” for the fifty-third time in an hour, my grocery bill begins to rival only my mortgage, and when I can’t keep my children in shoes for longer than two weeks because they just keep growing I am reminded that I have a sacred duty to provide for the physical needs of my children.
When all I want to do is go to bed and read my book in peace and my husband begins to gather the family for our evening prayers and scripture reading I am reminded that I have a sacred duty to also provide for their spiritual needs.
When my children are screaming at each other, pinching each other, sticking their tongues out at each other, calling each other names—it is then that I am reminded of my sacred duty to teach them to love and serve one another.
When my children tell a little lie, or don’t think they want to attend church I am reminded that I have a sacred duty to teach them to keep the commandments of God.
When I learn that my child has just stolen a piece of candy in the checkout line (please tell me your children have done this, too), I am reminded of the sacred duty to teach them to be law-abiding citizens.
Am I perfect in the execution of these sacred duties? Absolutely not. But I try my best, and I am thankful for all of the little reminders to keep on trying.
Temple Prints from Plum Street Prints
Our Temple Prints are a wonderful way to display the temple in your home in a personalized and modern way. Whether you’d like to remember your wedding/sealing day or display the temple in your child’s room, or even give a gift to someone on their wedding day, these prints can be customized to your style. We currently have 20 temples available and are adding more each week.
Visit Plum Street Prints today!
Tony Sweat is guest blogging at The Red Headed Hostess today and he is giving away one of his CDs, The Devil Made Me Do It (and five other lies that Satan tries to trap us with)! Anthony Sweat has a PhD in education from Utah State University. He is a full-time religious educator for the LDS Church, and also a speaker at Especially For Youth and Education Week conferences. Please be sure to go and read his post today!
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Great post! I love your honesty-being a mom isn’t always easy or fun, but always worth it. She goes look great in hats. 🙂
Being a mother is the hardest and most wonderful thing all at the same time. The reality is, we are never done teaching them no matter how old they become. Thank you for sharing. (And yes almost all my kids have stolen a piece of candy in the checkout line, it’s right there at their level. And yes, we have had to make trips back to the store to return it or pay for it)LOL
Great post, being a mom isn’t always fun, but sooooo worth it!
It seems motherhood gives us plenty of these reminders doesn’t it? 🙂
Wonderful post. Great reminder of the responsibilities we have as parents.
I really appreciate this post–the honesty and the humor, and I how I can so totally relate to everything you said. Thanks so much!!
I always love it when I find out I am not the only mom who has “real life” running rampant at home. Thank you for the reminder about our sacred duties. This was a great post to start the day with!
Being a mom is hard work. I agree though, it is ALWAYS worth it! I look at my little men and KNOW that it is totally worth the “Stuff” I go through each day.
Lara, you are amazing! Thanks so much!
this is a great post. I think we can all relate to this!
Thank you for your post! It serves as a great reminder to me. 🙂
Oh! I am loving the daily blasts of inspiration!
Thank you for the wonderful reminder that taking care of all of the “temporal” needs, is also fulfilling spiritual needs. It’s easy to forget that!
We are so blessed to have the sacred duty of being mothers! Thank you for a wonderful post! 🙂
This was a wonderful post, probably my favourite so far. Great job!
Thanks again for the opportunity to write this! I felt very honored. 🙂
Thank you for the honesty of your thoughts!
I love this! Simple truths that aren’t always so easy in execution!
A great reminder for me today. Thanks!
Yes, we have lots of reminders around here, too. 🙂 Thank you for this! And none of mine have “stolen” anything yet, but if you want, I can give you a list of the other bad things they’ve done. 🙂
Great post!
Great post! I love the reminders of how to do this in our everyday lives. Also, jealous of the hat. 😉
The first thing I read this morning! What a great way to start my day!
THank you so much for this post today on all four have been my faviorate so far. THanks
I like how often you say “sacred duty” in this post because it got me thinking… it makes me want to put the quote “This is my sacred duty” up somewhere in my house that I wills ee it & be reminded 🙂
I loved reading this post. It was filled with the truths about the importance of our calling as mothers and fathers. Blessings to you for all of the thoughts.
Keep on enjoying all of your precious mother moments.
I plan to visit our blog!
Great post. I really enjoyed your honesty. Makes me feel not so alone!
Good stuff!
Encouraging post. Thank you!
I love this post! This is what I work on everyday and am sooo very thankful for these reminders of “WHY” I do it. I think that you put it beautifully. Thank you. 🙂
LOVE this!! thank you.