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.
It is wonderful to share family and freind on this special day when we all have so much to be thankful for. Everything that you said is so true no everyone can be so charming and gracious as you are. So on this Thanksgiving Day may you and your family have a wonderful and Blessed Thanksgiving. Can’t wait to read your web-site every day. God Bless You.
Happy Thanksgiving Christy~ I have to tell you how thrilled I am as I gaze at my beautiful Jordan Rolls that came out of my oven today. to proudly be placed on the table tomorrow with the turkey. I can’t tell you how many years I bought the rolls in a bag or a can and now I’m making my own!! I never had luck with yeast when I was a younger cook and I realize now that was operator error not the yeast. I am currently somewhat enamored of yeast and will try almost anything. I love the smell of the dough and the hands on experience of creating and the anticipation as it rises and then bakes. When I saw and read your recipe I said to myself ” Self , I want that on the Thanksgiving table.” So I hope you feel a warm sharing glow as you realize by sharing you reached out to others and encouraged them to try. Katy Judy
Your absolutely right, even in the nicest Thanksgiving photos, someone was being kicked under the table or the dish that didn’t turn out right was set out side quietly for the dogs to enjoy, haha Its family and friends that make the day… not the pretty picture…. Thanks for being a part of our family…
hugs jo in Oklahoma
We hope you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving. Our family is large and only a portion will be here tomorrow but we will be thankful for the ones who are here and miss the ones who aren’t. We all have so much to be thankful for. We should all remember the soldiers in foreign countries or far away from home. It is because of them and others before them that we are able to celebrate a day of thankfulness with family and others. Our grandson will be here this Thanksgiving for the first time in four years because he was one of those soldiers.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Thanks for the reminder because your words are so very true. All of us have much to be thankful for whether we acknowledge it or not. I am living a wonderful life…not perfect, and maybe not even wonderful by someone else’s standards, but it is MY wonderful life and I am grateful for it. Even better, I know whom to thank for my blessings!
May you and your wonderful family have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving. I have had many lovely Thanksgiving gatherings with my family over the years but unfortunaly my wonderful family is no longer with me anymore. I hold them in my heart and think about them often and the good times we have had during the holidays and remember the good times and laughter and the good food we shared. There is no-one left now but me, but still I’m so thankful for the years and the good times we shared together which to me makes a great Thanksgiving no matter where I am or what I do on that day.
Bless you and your family and thank you for all that you do.