True Gratitude

ROY N. SPRINGER

Christian Scientists are always grateful to God for their understanding of His ever-presence and goodness. They are grateful to the master Christian, Christ Jesus, for what he went through that we might have more abundant life. They are increasingly grateful to Mary Baker Eddy for bringing Christian Science to humanity.

At one time a student of Christian Science did not seem to be demonstrating the good that rightfully belonged to him. In fact, he was in considerable difficulty, not having a position that sufficiently supplied his needs. He went to a Christian Science practitioner, who listened very attentively to what he had to say and then made this statement: "I do not believe you are sufficiently grateful for the good that has already come to you, and I suggest that you take immediate steps to change your thinking, and make a genuine effort to be grateful for every good thing that presents itself to you. Keep after this, and learn above all to be constantly grateful for your understanding of Life, Truth, and Love." The student left the practitioner's office and resolved to enlarge his thinking, and in deep humility began to express gratitude for each step he took.

In his study of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" he found on page 3 the following illuminating statement: "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. Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech." He began pondering these statements, and realized that owing to lack of gratitude in his thinking he had unconsciously closed the door to the good that was waiting for admittance. Dwelling on the infinite goodness of God, he at once opened the door; and soon after this change had taken place in his thought, the needed demonstration was made.

Christian Scientists have much to be grateful for because they have found God, and know that He is ever-present good, always taking perfect care of all His children. They have learned that since God is infinite good, should there appear to be a manifestation of anything other than good, it is only false belief. It is a negation which endeavors to impress itself on us by suggesting that there is no good flowing into our consciousness. As we, by our correct understanding of God and of man's relationship to Him, affirm His omnipotence and omnipresence, we chase away from our mental homes all arguments of doubt and lack of gratitude.

Gratitude is of great value to us in our demonstrations, for a heart filled with gratitude is ever ready and willing to acknowledge God; and by acknowledging the omnipotence of God in our every thought and action we keep our mental door open, and thus find our supply of good unlimited. In Proverbs it is written, "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." What a comforting statement to cherish and realize! As we acknowledge God in all our ways, He leads and directs us. As we obey this admonition we cannot fail to be ever grateful to our ever-loving Father, who bestows upon us abundance of good.

Christ Jesus, the Way-shower, expressed his gratitude in all his great works. He constantly maintained his at-one-ment with God, and never acted without first acknowledging God as the only power. He said, "I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things."

Our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, likewise always expressed her gratitude to God for His goodness; and in Science and Health (Pref., p. ix) she writes that "to-day, though rejoicing in some progress, she still finds herself a willing disciple at the heavenly gate, waiting for the Mind of Christ." As we progress as Christian Scientists, we find endless ways of expressing true gratitude. That we are able to help others is a proof that we are expressing gratitude; and active work in our branch church is one way of showing this. Through its constructive activities the Christian Science church affords us many opportunities to spread the gospel of healing throughout the world.

True gratitude is prayer; and the more we continue to acknowledge God, the faster will be progress in Christian Science. A hymn in the Christian Science Hymnal expresses a beautiful sense of gratitude, as in the following verse:

"O, when we see God's mercy
Widespread in every place
And know how flows the fountain
Of His unbounded grace,
Can we withhold a tribute,
Forbear a psalm to raise,
Or leave unsung one blessing,
In this our humn of praise?"

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