twenty-seven: letters that spell hope
Over the past two years, God’s been repeatedly bringing something to the surface of my heart. It’s just a single word, but it holds such strong promise of hope for me.
Time and time again, it was in the forefront of my thoughts. I talked about it in my missions class; it came up in conversations; I emailed it to friends; I even wrote a blog post about it.
Shalom.
I grew up understanding that the word means peace. But last year I discovered that shalom means so much more. It means nothing missing, nothing broken. And those twenty-seven letters paint a picture of what God truly desires for me.
He wants every part of me to be whole. Complete. Satisfied.
That’s often so hard for me to believe because I don’t see it. I don’t feel it. But I know it’s true.
I wanted a visible reminder of that promise from God. I need to see it every day so I’ll remember that even when my life doesn’t reflect it, God is journeying me towards wholeness. Nothing missing, nothing broken.
So I got a permanent reminder.
I don’t think I’ll fully hold it in my hands this side of Heaven, but I’m seeking my shalom in Him.
thanks for sharing this. i loved reading it.
Simply Beautiful….I was here. Gone to think.
I love love love it! And I love love love you!
Shalom
(lovin fierce)
That is great! I love it!
spectacular.
amazing.
Question: Does it mean that he wants us to be whole, so we should work on ourselves to leave nothing missing, nothing broken…
Or is it a reminder that He gives us every challenge and stumbling block in our lives for a specific purpose… that it’s no accident because in our lives He leaves nothing missing, nothing broken if we’re willing to look and see it in the mess?
BTW, so wish I had a tattoo. Yours is brilliant.
YES!!! So glad to finally see the post. It (and you) look wonderful!
I love that you did this for yourself. What a reminder that His desire is for our peace and healing to be permanent.
Getting a tattoo hurts. But the work is there forever – as a lasting, visible reminder for you, and for others. I’m reminded of how the Israelites built altars before the Lord as visible reminders to themselves and to others – including their enemies – of what He had done.
“Nothing missing, nothing broken.” I won’t forget that one anytime soon. Thank you.
I am glad it’s on you, girl! Such a great one, me and pain is water and oil. Everytime I need this reassuring reminder from God I will go to yo blog. U did for us… THANKS A MIL!!! LOL
Love u lots
Is this your first ‘ink’ or do you have other tats?
I find it so interesting that the main reason you placed this permanent reminder of God’s promise on your body is that you desire for there to be true Shalom peace in your life. The tattoo goes from pain to healing and the scar becomes a welcome part of your life. I am praying that from the pain to healing process that is going on in your whole being right now you would gain a welcome scar that is a permanent reminder of God’s fulfilled promise of peace in you.
God is in to visual reminders of truth. We see altars, stones, marked door posts, and the infamous rainbow. Godspeed to you on your journey friend.
~Shalom~
How perfect! And you know, I didn’t even notice the tattoo in the first picture until I got to the second.
thats awesome Alece!! Love you and am proud of you for getting that reminder.
That is beautiful! I never knew it meant anything other than peace. The real meaning is so much more to bite your teeth into. I love it! I’ve been praying for you! God has placed you on my heart alot lately!
“nothing missing, nothing broken, as if it never happened.”
yep.
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/newsletters/850/10012007/index.html
even when we feel like our hearts are shattered, pieces missing or strewn about…he holds every bit of us in His hands, he never loses any part of us…he restores to complete healing, and the battles we endure are used to accomplish His purpose in and through us…we are His workmanship.
gitz — definitely the latter. i know i can never reach it on my own, that’s for dang sure.
lisa — i’ve been mindful of that same thing all along: asking God to make something beautiful out of the pain in my life…
gigi — this is my first… (thank you for your words…)
jennifer — wow. thank you.
swinger — i love that you reminded me of what i’d written. i don’t need to reach far for Him. the hem of His robe swings down low…
so much meaning and so much power.
i lovee it so MUCH.
you know I love it…
I just keep coming back to read this post.
jace — “so much power”. mmhmm!
amers — i’m still disappointed about the worldwide premiere.
apples — me, too.
why does it take so long for the head knowledge to filter down? :S
“Or is it a reminder that He gives us every challenge and stumbling block in our lives for a specific purpose
louise — i’m wondering how to speed up the process…
tam — i was just so glad i actually did it. i can’t even begin to tell you the sense of personal victory i felt in that moment when i walked out of the tattoo shop…
Wow! I didn’t know it was such a huge thing for you. The letters are facing you – a reminder to you, huh? This concept of ’shalom’ in the Bible is very extensive. I ran across it a month or so ago while studying feet and stumbling … it brought me to peace offerings. Which, for some reason, I had never related to shalom. But … it is! Quite a lovely picture, too.
I love that that’s what you picked for a tattoo – your first! I don’t think I will ever do a tattoo, but … something like that would be highest on my list if I ever considered it. :)
i’d love to hear any of your findings on “shalom” if you ever feel inclined to pass them along.
im still waiting for my FIL to kick the bucket so i can get my tattoo.
that’s one of my favorite things about you.
what do you wanna get when he goes?
after todays sermon, that ironically my FIL preached, i want to get a butterfly with “renewed” in greek written around it somewhere. i kinda have a pic in my head of it – but not that well.
what do you think? any ideas?
@tam: DO IT. Live while you have the chance kiddo. DO IT NOW. With my immune system I have too many risks to the needles and the ink. But you’re not at that place. DO IT NOW. I so would have gotten one earlier if I had known I wouldn’t be able to later.
Just my 2 cents. I think people should fully live while they are living.
I always thought it just meant “peace.” I should have known there was more to it. It’s funny – just 27 small letters, but such a big, complex message.
I love your tattoo. :)
tam — as long as it’s not the “usual” butterfly. try to have someone help you draw out what’s in your head… i can’t wait to see it ON YOU someday!
gitz — tam had promised her father in law she wouldn’t get a tat while he was alive; that’s why she’s always saying she has to wait for her FIL to kick the bucket! and i love your “fully live while you’re living” bit. man oh man…
PQ — thanks! i’m glad everyone seems to like it so much…
I will! :D Thanks for the request. :D For some reason that makes me feel loved.
I’m scared of needles…but that is VERY COOL.
I love this!
just stumbled upon your blog
anneth — you are loved!
michelle — i am petrified of needles. i’m serious!
resonates — i’m so glad you stumbled on in!
So, I’ve been thinking about that tattoo since you showed it to me. And it occurs to me that nothing meaningful or worthwhile comes easy. It usually hurts. Childbirth, like we were talking about, comes to mind.
But so does forgiveness.
The pain of getting a tattoo is so symbolic of the pain of walking that road.
I pray He keeps you deep company along it.
As you head towards your Nothing missing, nothing broken.
thank you so much for this, friend. it meant a lot.
LOVE it! I have elohim on my ankle because it reminds me that our Creator God is able to create all things new… even where there seems to be nothing left… Yay God!
“See, I am doing a new thing! I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43.19
Will be praying for you thru the holidays… you have officially been added to my prayer post-it :)
Jenny
oooh – i wanna see. (got a pic you could email me??)
and thank you for adding me to your post-it!!!