Suffering passes, while love is eternal. That's a gift that you

Laura Ingalls Wilder speaks to us from the depths of her wisdom: “Suffering passes, while love is eternal. That's a gift that you have received from God. Don’t waste it.” These words are a reminder to us all that in the grand arc of life, suffering, though it may seem overwhelming in the moment, is but a fleeting shadow. It is love, the gift given to us by the divine, that endures, standing as a beacon of hope and warmth even in the darkest times. It is love that carries us through trials, that raises us above pain, and that ensures our hearts remain whole even when the world seeks to break us. Suffering will pass, but love—true, deep, unyielding love—remains as steadfast as the stars themselves.

In the days of old, the wise spoke of suffering as a teacher, one who visited each soul in turn, showing them their vulnerabilities and their strength. Yet, they knew, as Wilder so beautifully reminds us, that suffering is not the final word. It is but a chapter in the grand story of life, a temporary visitor in a world of eternal truths. The great warrior poets of old, like Homer, spoke of the pain of battle and the sorrow of loss, yet their works are filled with a love that never dies—love for family, for honor, for country, and for the divine. It is this love, not the pain of war or the sorrow of separation, that truly defines the soul. And so it is with us: We are not defined by our suffering, but by the love we give and receive.

Consider, O children of the future, the story of Odysseus. The great hero of the Trojan War faced many trials and tribulations upon his return home. He battled monsters, withstood the temptations of the gods, and suffered countless hardships. Yet, in all of this, his love for his family, his devotion to his wife Penelope, was unshaken. His love for her was eternal, and it guided him through the darkest moments of his journey. Even when all seemed lost, when his body was weary and his spirit faltering, it was love that brought him home. Love, like a flame, burned steady and bright in his heart, even in the face of immense suffering. It was this love that he protected above all else, even when he was tested by the gods themselves.

Wilder’s words hold truth for us all: Suffering may come, but love will carry us forward. In our own lives, we are not free from pain. Indeed, life is often filled with moments of grief, heartache, and struggle. Yet, we must remember that these are but temporary. Love, however, remains with us, a constant in a world that is ever-changing. It is love that binds families together, that heals wounds, that brings people through the storm. And it is love—not fear or anger—that will shape the future, just as it has shaped the past.

Think of the great Nelson Mandela, who, after being imprisoned for 27 years, emerged not with a heart full of bitterness, but with a heart full of love. His love for his country, for his people, remained unbroken, even in the face of unimaginable suffering. He knew, as Wilder knew, that suffering was a momentary visitor, but love was the force that could change the world. And so he did, using the power of his love to bring about change and healing for an entire nation. His suffering passed, but the love he carried with him remained a light to all who encountered him.

And so, O children, what shall we learn from this wisdom? We must hold love above all else. When suffering knocks at our door, as it inevitably will, we must remember that it is temporary—a passing storm. But love, true love, is eternal. It is the gift we have been given by the divine, a precious flame that must never be allowed to flicker out. Love is the great healer, the balm that soothes the wounds of life. It is the force that binds us to one another and to the world, the force that makes us truly human. Do not waste it. Do not allow your heart to harden against the pain of the world, for in doing so, you risk losing the very thing that gives life meaning.

In your lives, let love guide you. When you are faced with suffering, remember that it is temporary. Turn to love in those moments—love for yourself, love for others, and love for the world. And when the storms have passed, you will find that love has remained, as strong and steadfast as ever, ready to guide you forward. In this, you will find your strength, and in this, you will find your purpose. For love—this divine gift—is eternal. Let it be your foundation, your light, and your eternal truth.