Article May 19, 1917 Issue

Gratitude

ANNA M. GRAFELMAN

On page 3 of the Christian Science text-book, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy says: "Are we really grateful for the good already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more." Do we remember this when some desired object or plan seems so long in being realized, or a case of healing is long delayed? Perhaps we become impatient, and murmur just a little because others seem to receive their healing very quickly and numerous blessings come to them, while with us everything apparently is at a standstill. Then is the time for us to look within, to examine the thoughts we are entertaining. Perhaps it will be found that we have not been grateful enough for the smaller blessings,—have taken them as a matter of course instead of realizing and expressing our gratitude to the giver of all good. In other words, we have not availed ourselves of the good which has already been bestowed upon us, and are not, therefore, "fitted to receive more."

Before Christian Science was brought to the attention of the writer, it seemed to her she could find very little for which to be grateful, since she was deprived of many things which she felt rightfully belonged to every child of God, and compelled by circumstances to go out into the world and meet its problems, many of which seemed exceedingly large to her. Later, when ill health ensued, life became a burden and there seemed to be very little joy. At this time she was lovingly led to Christian Science, and the physical healing came in a remarkably short time, for which she was grateful. There were, however, so many other problems encountered that at times the great blessing of physical healing was almost lost sight of, until one day the above quoted words from Science and Health came very forcibly to her, and she realized as never before the necessity for gratitude.

She began by being grateful for every blessing which came to her, no matter how small. Perhaps it was only a little kindness or manifestation of love shown to her by a friend, or some recognition of good in another, but she was grateful for each one,—grateful to the friend through whom it came, yet still more grateful to divine Love, the source of all good. When she thanked the one who had been the channel for this manifestation of love, she did not fail to send up a little song of thankfulness to our heavenly Father for His love and kindness to His own. As she became conscious of the blessings which were already hers, she soon found them increasing, until one by one the vexed problems faded away as the mist before the shining light of the sun, and she could truly say with the psalmist, "My cup runneth over."

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