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 the Jordan family, the southern plate family, and to everyone reading this. Never take family for granted because on day they may not be there.
The best way to embrace God is to embrace others much as you and your family do. Thanks for sharing your life and delicious recipes with the rest of us.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!!!
I am thankful tonight that I read your comments because even at 66 years old, I sometimes forget that family traditions and memories aren’t made of perfect times, but of the love and time shared with our loved ones.
We are blessed and are grateful to be having our small (10) but wonderful family together tomorrow. Our highly allergic grandson (age 13) will be eating ham (plain) and we have no complaints about that. We all have something to be thankful for. Thank you, Christy, for sharing your recipes and your life with us.
Happy Thanksgiving Christy! I am so thankful for you! You bring so much positivity to the world through your website and Facebook. Enjoy your precious family, eat great food, and make lots of wondrful memories!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Enjoy the time together remembering all the things that we have to be thankful for – in the hustle and bustle we sometimes overlook/forget the things that are most important.
Health, Love, Life, Family.
Everything else — just the frosting on the cake
Love you and your site – will see you upon your return (and mine) from those few days of remember what is truly important.
May God bless you and your family and this most special time of the year.
Many blessings to you!