I'm not necessarily a people-person. In fact, I prefer to spend most of my time alone or with one close friend. Spending time in large groups exhausts and overwhelms me. Sometimes, a thoughtful friend will ask me about my day and my response will be a reluctant "good" with few details because I just want to avoid prolonged conversation.

I get caught up in my own head a lot, and oftentimes I need to be reminded to look around at the people who surround me.

Last night, five of my dear friends and I gathered together around our kitchen table for a trendy "friendsgiving" meal. I had way too much fun decorating the table with foliage and flowers and cute napkins. My roommate Rachel made the most incredible turkey and stuffing, Tess made a pumpkin pie and we all sat together in the candlelight at the kitchen table, sipping on our blackberry ginger beer and stuffing our faces. Here, we shared the things we were thankful for and our most recent lessons from the Lord in this season of life.

Being seniors, the time together was bittersweet as we were reminded of reality; soon we will all be in different places, doing different things and learning lessons apart from one another.

But last night, I was reminded of the blessing that is community. Of the richness that comes when two or more are gathered in Jesus' name, breaking bread and eating together with glad and sincere hearts. Of the encouragement that comes with fellowship and prayer. Of the ways that the Lord uses our stories to impact one another. I remembered why it was so important for me to look up from my own life and share in the lives of those around me.

I pray that this Thanksgiving can be that time for you. In the spirit of gratitude and thankfulness, I pray that as you gather together with friends and family that you remember to look outside yourself, to hear their stories, to care for them and to be thankful for the gift of their presence.