Ponderizing Week 4: A Summer with Great Aunt Rose

This week I have chosen what Elder Utchdorf has proclaimed to be the heart of the gospel: love. In his recent talk, "A Summer with Great-Aunt Rose," he talks about a girl who goes to spend the summer in the country with her Great-Aunt Rose. She learns that despite struggles, Great-Aunt Rose is very happy.
Elder Utchdorf said:
 

"When we love God, we want to serve Him. We want to be like Him. When we love our neighbors, we stop thinking so much about our own problems and help others to solve theirs.”
“And that is what makes us happy?” Eva asked.
Great-Aunt Rose nodded and smiled, her eyes filling with tears. “Yes, my dear. That is what makes us happy.”

http://oldcountryhouse.co.uk/self-catering

 

It's been a long week. I was very distracted by a personal family matter that was reminding me of some very traumatic experiences. I cried a lot. I distanced myself from some close friends. I found it impossible to talk about. I felt the disintegration that I had been taught to feel most of my life.

I worked hard to care for myself, but I was having a hard time extending compassion.

I listened to this talk and it helped me remember instead the healing process that I've been through. That I can love and serve God and others, empowered by my love of God. I love God for many reasons. It was through Him that I gained healing and I know I can access that healing power every day. He has blessed me with so much! Tough life experiences come, but there are also amazing blessings. And I trust God because he has given me so much, that he will continue to bless me, especially if I am trying my best to be the way he would want me to be.

With these thoughts and feelings, it becomes easy and natural to look around and reach out to those who are also suffering and help them. And this is what makes a happier life. :)