Article November 21, 1931 Issue

"Giving thanks always"

[Original article in German]

MARGARETE HILDEBRAND

In one of his epistles Paul admonishes the Ephesians thus: "Be filled with the Spirit; ... giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." The writer's attention was once called to this injunction at a time when she was endeavoring to overcome, through gratitude, a sense of discouragement. Numerous testimonies in the Wednesday evening meetings tell us how discouragement, sickness, and so forth may be overcome through an earnest desire to thank God for all the good received. Paul's injunction, however, involves a higher degree of gratitude. It is based upon the undimmed recognition of immutable Love; on an absolute acknowledgment of the ever-presence and omnipotence of good.

It is not difficult to be grateful for benefits received, or for the good that is apparent, such as success, abundance, love, deliverance from distress, and such like. There are very few who accept such blessings without offering befitting thanks. The little child is taught the habit of saying "Thank you" for everything he receives. This habit certainly serves to make one agreeable to others; but it may have little in common with true gratitude, which is usually expressed in a very pure sense in the unhampered thought of the child. Beaming with joy, a child will smile at his mother simply because she is near him. With radiant eyes he will reach for the sunbeam shining on his bed. He never thinks of saying "Thank you" for all the happiness he expresses, nor does he ask for a "Thank you"; but by his very happiness he reveals the spontaneous gratitude of his heart, and delights everyone with it, just as the flower delights everyone with its sweet perfume.

Men thank God for all manner of things; for their daily bread, their health, their prosperity, for light and sun. Often, too, alas! they thank as the Pharisee did: "I thank thee, that I am not as other men are." But we should ask ourselves, Of what benefit are such thanks to us and to others? The child and nature are here, as in many other things, our teachers. How beautifully, for instance, the bird's song of praise is accomplished! Jubilantly it is poured forth on Pharisee and publican, on child and adult. True praise soothes the sick heart, and tends to awaken lonely ones to the consciousness of the great "I AM." Truly our fellow men may be blessed by such simple thanksgiving.

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