An Annual Thanksgiving Message From Southern Plate
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Dear Southern Plate Family,
As we reflect back during the year while celebrating Thanksgiving 2023, this year has been another doosey! So many things going on that can make us feel overwhelmed, stressed and negative about the future. I join with all of you praying for peace and love in our world.
But to keep our focus on the difficult times only moves us away from our ability to see the blessings. No guilt is necessary when we do find ourselves focusing on wishing things weren’t so challenging. However, when we find ourselves moving in that direction even though it sure isn’t easy, to keep ourselves moving forward, it’s so important to focus on what we are thankful for right now AND be hopeful for the future. Even if you have had a terrible year and feel like you have nothing to be thankful for, start with the small things like being thankful for having the ability to read this message or take your next breath or feel the clothes you are wearing sitting softly against your skin. Start with the little things.
We are all human and aren’t perfect so sometimes we need reminders. Thanksgiving can be one of those reminders to help shift our sights back on what we actually have in our lives right now that we are truly thankful for. But don’t let it end on Thanksgiving. Make time to be Thankful all year round.
Paul reminds us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). And James also adds, ‘Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness”. (James 1:2-3)
So I hope this Thanksgiving is a special time for you to focus on what you have right now even if it’s less than last year… and that you find gratitude in your heart while being hopeful for the future.
I know one big thing I am thankful for is this year has brought me closer to you, the Southern Plate Family. My heart is full as I remind myself of that glorious blessing.
Happy Thanksgiving! If you’re looking for a great way to be thankful this season be sure to grab my free gratitude printable. Gratitude Printable Southern Plate
And here’s just a little something that may make your life a tiny bit easier this holiday season. Click here for just a little something that might make the upcoming holiday planning just a tiny bit easier.
If you’d like to place what you are thankful this year, please do so in the comments.
Happy Thanksgiving to All!
Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you for all the wonderful recipes!!
Christy, I’ve learned to love you and your family. I wish the happiest of Thanksgivings to you all!!
Thank you, Christy, for your Southern Plate and the yummy recipe. Happy Thanksgiving, Christy, to you and your family!
May you and all of your family have a great Thanksgiving and may we all remember to give thanks for everything.
Thanks for your “Message” Christy! Very timely indeed. We will be sharing Thanksgiving with our daughters, their families and some special friends. We have so much to Thank our Lord for this year, as always. Have a blessed Thanksgiving with the ones you love. Hugs
have a wonderful thanksgiving and remember those with out a thanksgiving when you enjoy your delish dinner. As for me i will be serving dinner at the mission this holiday so all can have a warm place to set and a wonderful meal at least one day of the year
Happy Holidays
Amen! One way to remain thankful is to help those less fortunate. We take too much for granted until we see the reality of others. God bless you april. We can make a better world one person at a time. I also do the church dinner for the homeless. Last year we served the homeless. We did the table cloths, napkins and real silverware and we went from table to table serving each person. After we served we sat and visited with them. I sat with a lady living in an abandoned house, carrying everything she owned in a plastic grocery bag and smelled to high heaven. I thought “what do we have in common?” She looked at me and said “I wonder what would happen if I just knocked on my family’s door?” Not knowing what to say I just smiled. On the way home I ask myself the same thing – What would happen if I just knocked on my family’s door? I did just that and had Thanksgiving dinner with my family for the first time in 20 years. That’s the day I learned that God sends messages and you had better pay attention because you never know who the messanger might be. I’m sorry, I don’t why I felt compelled to tell you this, it just felt right. Sorry if I bothered you. I hope you received a message this holiday. Again, bless you!
daf thank you for sharing your story it really touched my heart!