Years ago, soon after my husband and I separated, I moved from our house (which we owned) into a flat (which I had to rent) with our two young children. Since I had three jobs, one of which was a well-paying job at a company, I wasn’t concerned about finances. But one month later, suddenly all of the staff were retrenched because the company had gone broke. It closed four days later. The salary they had been paying me was nearly 80 percent of my weekly income. 

As a graphic artist, I also did a little freelance work, but at that time I had no extra work or any money owed to me. My monthly rent was due in five days’ time, but I had only $23 left in the bank.  
My situation was drastic. As I always do when the path ahead is uncertain, I turned to God and humbly asked for guidance with the full expectation of an answer. Immediately, these words from the Christian Science textbook came to thought: “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” (Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 3).

I had been waiting for my next paycheck to buy beds and other furniture, so the kids and I were sleeping on the floor on folded-up bubble wrap or sponge foam. We had only one chair, a small table, and a washing machine. Despite it all, I decided to take a gratitude inventory. First, I was grateful for happy, healthy children, a roof over our head, plenty of food in the pantry, and a full tank of petrol. Although we had few material things, I was also grateful for the mental freedom I felt, and for an atmosphere that was conducive to spiritual growth.