Article November 17, 1973 Issue

Gratitude Is Unselfed

HELENA GRONLUND ALLEN

A hymn describes a grateful heart as a garden, a fortress, and a temple. As a garden, it provides a place "for every lovely, Godlike grace to come to perfect bloom." As a fortress, it reveals "God's omnipotence," thus girding "man with mighty power." In the temple of a grateful heart angels of God's presence "keep calm watch by day or night." It is not surprising, then, that the hymn ends with a prayer of petition for a grateful heart "that loves and blesses all."^{ Christian Science Hymnal, No. 3;}

The key words are, "that loves and blesses all." This involves two stages of gratitude. One is inspired gratitude for spiritual things. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, emphasizes its indispensability when she calls attention in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures to Christ Jesus' condemnation of insincerity, "If we are ungrateful for Life, Truth, and Love, and yet return thanks to God for all blessings, we are insincere and incur the sharp censure our Master pronounces on hypocrites."^{ Science and Health, p. 3;} Then there is the level of gratitude that recognizes kindness and goodness wherever found and "loves and blesses all."

In true gratitude both the giver and the receiver are important. Above all, we need the recognition of where all good comes from. In Christian Science we learn that, as we are told in the Bible, "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."^{ James 1:17;} The full significance of gratitude shows us that "the Father of lights" is Life, Truth, and Love. Man reflects God. And the recognition of this reflection meets a human need from the source always present within our true being. "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."^{ Luke 17:20, 21;}