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.
This post meant alot for me,my husband and i raised 9 children and things were great untill 3 years ago.He started to get laid off and it seemed to always be around Christmas every year.I love giving my large family a fantastic Thanksgiving and a beautiful Christmas but with the lay offs it started to depress me starting Nov 1st and i didnt start to recover till Feb. I beliveve in Jesus Christ our Savior and i would pray to try and stay positive but to no avail.Maybe it was a lack of faith(most likley it was)but your post tonight made me really excited for tomorrow and for Cristmas,I am hosting a big Thanks giving party for my kids and grandkids tomorrow and this post is going to be read before we pray because it has uplifted me even though my husband has been laid off for a year and i started dreading Thanksgiving again.You have opened my eyes just by your post and i thank you and i’m sure my kids will thank you tomorrow and Cristmas morning when my kids will join us.I am 52 with 9 kids and 14 grandkids and I THANK YOU!!!!
Happy Thanksgiving to your family, Christy. You certainly deserve a few days off to spend with them. Enjoy those kiddies while you can because they grow up so fast. Thanks for your stories and comments on Thanksgiving. It is a holiday that is getting pushed aside, and we need to keep it on the front burner. It’s my favorite family holiday.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and all your family.
Thanksgiving blessings to you and your sweet family, dear Christy! I am thankful for you and for your happy heart that you share so freely with us all.
Happy Turkey Day to you and yours, Christy!
I’m so thankful that we live in a country that sets aside a holiday JUST to be thankful! I think Christmas is supposed to be that way, celebrating and thanking God for his Son’s holy birth, but with all of the commercialization surrounding THAT holiday, I’m glad there’s Thanksgiving…with the sentiment built right into the word…THANKS!
Enjoy your break with family and friends!
Happy Thanksgiving
Well said and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.