Article August 8, 1925 Issue

On the Value of Thankfulness

AGATHA STEUART

In reading the sentence in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 377) where Mrs. Eddy tells us we "should rejoice always in ever-present Love," it had seemed as if the words were difficult to obey. For how could we rejoice when error might be claiming to seem very real to us? On further consideration of the passage, however, it was seen that whatever inharmony may be trying to alarm us, we can at any rate declare it to be utterly untrue, and so at once turn to God in thankfulness. Then the burden lifts, and we find we can rejoice and follow the example set us by our beloved Master, who gave thanks even before the need was met to human sense; as in the feeding of the thousand from the "five barley loaves, and two small fishes;" and also at the grave of Lazarus, when he said, "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me," before those around could see the reason for it.

In reality, harmony is always present and the supply of whatever is needed is always at hand, whether the need may seem to be that of health, strength, sight, hearing, so-called supply, or any other good which error tries to delude us into thinking is absent. The supply of all good is unfailing; and we can always rejoice in this thought. Thus we can obey the command given in the sentence quoted from Mrs. Eddy, and also that of Paul, "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice."

It is indeed true that a thankful and grateful heart is more than half the battle in the destruction of error; and when one comes to think of it, is it not largely the want of thankfulness that makes us let the belief of any inharmony seem real to us for one moment? When we have seen this wonderful truth—Christian Science—and know that divine Love does supply all man's needs every moment, how can we ever cease to be thankful? Because we have the revelation in Christian Science of God as the only reality, and know that the healing power of this truth is ever present for each and all to demonstrate, we may heal ourselves and others of whatever so-called mortal mind may be trying to impose upon us. How can we ever be grateful enough to our beloved Leader, Mrs. Eddy, for her wonderful courage and unselfishness in making it possible for us, through all the priceless writings she has given us, to know this great truth which has unlocked for us all the treasures in the Bible? We should indeed endeavor to prove our gratitude by following her command to "rejoice always in ever-present Love."

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