IN everything give thanks,” said an aged woman softly.
“I don’t see what there is to give thanks for.”
It was Nina who spoke, a hearty, healthy girl of fifteen. She was an orphan, it is true, and poor; but she had a loving grandmother to look after her, and she had good health—a precious gift. Yet Nina had not a thankful heart, and did not count her mercies.
“You have to work hard, grandmother, and at your age too, when most people rest.
I work all day long as well; yet still we are poor, and can afford but soup and dry bread for dinner.”
“Ah! child, count your mercies, not your privations or difficulties. Many a girl would be thankful to be in your position. Look at poor Margaret down in the valley; she is just your age, Nina, yet she cannot walk at all, her poor spine is so weak, and you know her aunt grudges her every mouthful she eats, because she can make no return for it.”
“I had forgotten her,” said the girl slowly, as she glanced at the old grandmother, who so lovingly watched over her.
“You have youth and health, my child; you are strong and able to work. Between us we earn sufficient to live on, for though it is not much, it is enough. We have a roof over our heads, and a comfortable bed. We have God’s Word in our hands and freedom to read it. Ah! child, we have much to give thanks for even here on earth; how much more when we think of what God has done for us for eternity through Christ.”
Nina could not reply, but there were tears in her eyes, as she folded her hands, while her grandmother returned thanks for the nourishing meal spread for them. But afterwards she sprang to her work with a happier face than she had worn for some time.
“O GIVE THANKS UNTO THE LORD; CALL UPON HIS NAME.” Ps. 105:1.
ML 07/15/1917