Genuine gratitude may be likened to ''the aroma of Spirit," of which Mary Baker Eddy writes in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (pp. 191, 192), "Mind, God, sends forth the aroma of Spirit, the atmosphere of intelligence." Gratitude exemplifies itself in obedience; it dispels fear; it dissipates discouragement. One is never grateful when he is fearful, nor is he discouraged when he is grateful. There is nothing negative about gratitude. The presence of gratitude in our hearts is the reflection of Love. Humility and joy, peace and power, are evidences of gratitude.
A Christian Science practitioner sometimes hears the remark, "Oh, I'd like to be grateful, but I don't know how," or, "I have nothing to be grateful for." What a mistaken concept of "I" that is! Man can no more be ungrateful than he can be ungodlike. Man reflects gratitude, even as he reflects beauty. Gratitude is as natural and unlabored as the fragrance of the flower. Circumstance and environment do not create gratitude, but gratitude does much to mold both circumstance and environment. The story is told of a woman beloved in her community for her wealth of gratitude. Her gratitude begat love, and love dispelled poverty, as with each new evidence of loving-kindness her thanks were expressed in two simple words, "Him again."
In the Manual of The Mother Church (Art. XVII, Sect. 2) is a little sentence, unqualified in its directness, that stands as a daily admonition to every Christian Scientist: "Gratitude and love should abide in every heart each day of all the years."
