Article April 17, 1926 Issue

Gratitude

HERMAN CAMPBELL BLYE

Are we really grateful? If this question were asked of many of us, would we not after an examination of our thinking be compelled to answer "No"? What does it mean to be grateful? Much more than merely declaring, "I am grateful." If we are truly grateful, our gratitude will be shown forth in better living, in acts of kindness, in being more cheerful, in trying to help those with whom we come in contact in our daily lives, those who may not be so fortunate as we. There are always many in need of a helping hand, to whom a cheerful smile or a kind word may mean much. And if we are truly grateful for the blessings we have received, our greatest desire and pleasure will be to bring these blessings to others.

To be really grateful is most necessary if we would progress in the understanding of the truth as set forth in Christian Science by our dear Leader, Mrs. Eddy. For how can we expect to receive more if we are not grateful for what we have already received? On page 3 of the Christian Science textbook, "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." It is the being grateful for the blessings already received that fits us to receive more, that opens up the way for more good to be made manifest in our experience.

Error would keep us always so busy listening to its lying suggestions that we would have no time in which to be grateful—would keep us ever expecting more, while not being grateful for what we have already received. If the things desired are not received as soon and as readily as we feel they should be, are we not inclined to be just a little resentful and bitter? The thing most needful is to fill our thought with gratitude for the many blessings of which we are already conscious, blessings which we have just taken as a matter of course, with never a thought of gratitude in our hearts. We all need to obey the words of the familiar hymn:

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