Gratitude and love—abiding in our hearts

Some time ago I was deeply moved by this statement from the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy: “Gratitude and love should abide in every heart each day of all the years” (p. 60).

It touched something within me and resonated in my heart like a beautiful sunset that inspires the onlooker. It was like the gentle hug of a loving mother who says, “You don’t have to fear or worry. All is well. Be happy. Everything has been taken care of.” I wanted to learn more about this gratitude and love. 

Because of the beautiful natural environment I live in, I’m often filled with love and gratitude for God. The lush woods and meadows, the unexpected encounters with the marvelously colorful variety of animals that live here—deer, foxes, badgers, cranes, sheep, donkeys, horses—all are reminders of the peace and complete perfection of God’s creation. In this environment, the world hints at the good described in the Bible’s first account of creation: “And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31).