Dwight L. Moody used to tell of a saintly old woman who was always cheerful, even though confined to a dingy attic apartment. A friend one day took a wealthy woman to meet her. When they reached the second floor, the rich woman said, “What a depressing place this is!” Her friend replied, “It’s better higher up.” When they reached the third floor she said: “This is even worse.” Again the reply: “It’s better higher up.” Finally they reached the tiny attic and found the old lady, a smile on her face radiating joy. Although the room was clean and flowers were on the windowsill, the wealthy woman said “It must be very difficult for you to be here like this!” But the old lady just smiled and said: “It will be better higher up.”
Anticipating eternal blessings to come can transform even the bleakest environment.