still learning

My cousin taught me something really amazing. I couldn't find the direct quote, but, to paraphrase, God can make any experience for our good if we let Him.

This is one of the most amazing things about the atonement to me. No matter how difficult or generic, he can use our experience to bring us closer to him and to teach us about ourselves, about Him, or about anything that we really need to learn--if we just want it and work for it and pray for it and remember that he knows what we most need from him. Because this moment that we are in with all it anger or sorrow or angst or loneliness or just straight up pain, he's lived it. And not only that, but he knows where we need to be and want to be and what we will be ready and able to accept.

Also, on a similar note, this hymn.

Nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!
E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
still all my song shall be,
nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee, nearer to thee!   

There let the way appear, steps unto heaven;
all that thou sendest me, in mercy given;
angels to beckon me  nearer, my God, to thee;
nearer, my God, to thee,
nearer to thee!