. Collectively .

AT and I sat in the back row at a church that we don't belong to for Christmas Eve services. We were visiting my brother and his family, and when you're toting two small children, I suppose it's best to be in the back.

The preacher started his sermon and I leaned over and whispered into Aaron's ear, "This guy is one of those Detroit Rock Poetry Slam people." To his credit, Aaron only nodded, still intently listening.

It was true though - it was like every other word rhymed and his hand spun back and forth as he weaved his rehearsed tale. His shoulders rocked as he got to the meat of his story, and his knees were bent - almost as if he was bracing himself for what was to come. All around me, eyes blinked, children squirmed, lips were chewed, knees bounced.

It's hard to concentrate on Christmas Eve - even for the adults.

I have to admit, my eyes wandered. A girl three rows up was asleep on her daddy's lap and her mouth hung open. Her red dress glittered in the low light and he stroked her hand. Next to me, a mom dug in her purse for a kleenex. On the far side of the church, two boys had a sword fight with their candles.

And then, the preacher spoke-whispered, "God gave." 

They were two words. I perked up and listened.

The world is collectively on its knees. All around, there are people suffering. There seems to be an argument in every person's heart ... There are wild opinions and people rushing to defend their often times misguided view. In our darkest moments, we have completely forgotten those two big words - God gave.

He gave a lot for us - for you and for me. I'm pretty sure we're jacking around with that gift.

CK stuck a donkey sticker to my mom's black dress pants. AT twirled his candle between his two fingers. Jakey laughed at his momma. My brother stroked his wife's shoulder and the man next to his kleenex-holding wife raised his hand, urging the Detroit Rock Poetry Slam Preacher to just preach on.

We stood and the lights dimmed and we sang Silent Night. The woman doing sign language in the front looked like she understood those two big words.

God gave. 

We should live our lives with those two words tattooed on our hearts.

xo, B.