In the light of Christian Science our concept of the real meaning of many words becomes wonderfully enriched. How true this is of the word "gratitude." What commonly passes for gratitude is often a mere perfunctory acknowledgment, which fails even to measure up to the definition of the word:"Having a due sense of ... being willing to acknowledge and repay benefits received."
My awakening to the larger, fuller meaning of what gratitude is came quite unexpectedly, and incidentally furnished the key to a question which had for some time been uppermost in my mind: What thought is responsible for the persistence of certain trying conditions, both physical and in my environment, which seem to weigh so heavily? Reading one day in Science and Health, this statement struck me with peculiar force: "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" (p. 3). Was this the trouble? Was I ungrateful? As the world defines it, perhaps not; but in the light of this definition, yes, for the very conditions from which I sought relief proclaimed most loudly my failure to assert properly man's God-given dominion,—failure to avail myself of the blessings I have.
When after nearly two years of spasmodic investigation there came to me at last a realization of the promise Christian Science holds out, and of my great need of it, my practitioner would often try and impress upon me that gratitude was the key to progress. Judged from the basis of sense testimony, life had not been worth living for a year or more, and the idea of gratitude seemed far-fetched; indeed, there was a mild resentment toward my practitioner on account of a seeming lack of sympathy, not appreciating the fact that all the while she was liberally bestowing the highest sympathy, the sympathy that heals. On page 540 of our text-book we read, "The muddy river-bed must be stirred in order to purify the stream." I did not then understand that the mental turmoil and the severe physical upheaval I was so unwillingly and resentfully undergoing were merely evidence of the stirring,—mud being carried off,—proof that far more was being accomplished for me than mere physical healing. Instead of recognizing and gratefully acknowledging this, I was building up a strong barrier of doubt, criticism, rebellion, resentment, and ingratitude. Progress was realized only in so far as humility, obedience, and gratitude helped to remove this barrier.
