truth in ink
I got my first tattoo a year-and-a-half ago.
I wanted a visual reminder of the wholeness God holds for me, the completeness I find only in Him.
And I got it at a time when I felt nothing but broken…
I love my ink.
Depending on the day, or the moment, it serves to encourage, inspire, challenge, or admonish me. Sometimes all at once. In the way only God can do.
Maybe it’s odd, but I value the permanence of my tattoo.
It’s always there. And that reminds me that even when my heart wavers, God’s truth stands firm.
It’s true whether or not I choose to believe and embrace it.
I know what I want for tattoos #2 and 3 — things my heart holds close, that I want to be reminded of daily. I just don’t know what they’ll look like yet.
I have ideas, but I’m not creative enough to form them into finished designs. I need help turning my thoughts into works of art. If you’re a creative designer or an artist, let me know if you’d be interested in working on this with me…
I can’t believe I said that out loud. (Ha!)
And now I’m curious…
Is there anything you would want a permanent reminder of?
Would you ever get a tattoo? Do you have one?
@greenenough4me says:
I love the story behind your tattoo.
*nothing missing, nothing broken*- Those words are peaceful, and comfortable, and speak truth.
I have a tattoo on my side. It’s a peace sign with wings… I got it after my husband’s 2nd deployment to Iraq. My mom asked why I decided on a peace sign with wings… “Didn’t that mean peace was dead?”
I told her I saw it differently. I saw neverending peace. Eternal peace.
I know one day we’ll all see peace- maybe not on this earth, not in this world… But with God.
Peace with God.
There’s comfort and truth in that, too.
@gritandglory says:
i love that you described “nothing missing, nothing broken” as comfortable. that’s a great word for what it means to me!
eternal peace… God Himself. i like that a lot!
@fishythoughts says:
I don’t have any tats at the moment. (They would have to use water-proof ink)
I would like to, but knowing how people change over time, I don’t know what I would still feel comfortable looking at on my arm when I am 80. (And what it will look like then.)
@gritandglory says:
water-proof ink! ha!
@mallyflip says:
I have like 3 tattoos in mind, but I don’t know if I will ever actually put them on my skin… well under my skin.
I really want a tattoo of patience. I feel like this is something that the Lord is always teaching me and he is going to continue teaching me.
@gritandglory says:
i would be WAY too “scared” to get a tattoo of patience!
That is about the same time I got my first. and my second. and my third :)
My reason for the first (I have a back tat): Because if I have the permanent stamp of God on my back and I try and turn tail and run – it would be pretty silly. Additionally, the cross is at the very base of my spine – the spine is the center of our strength… so in effect I’m saying the cross is the center of all my strength and identity.
The second (side tat): is a continuation of the first one… and the continued story…
The third (ankle tat): is further continuation of the story…
When I went into my designer, I had picked a bunch of symbols and ideas off of the web… things I liked, things that had meaning to me… I explained my story, said “Go!” and then sat in the seat waiting for him to design as I prayed…
My designer (Jimmy) SO rocked and he is in GA. (Hammerhead Tattoos in Madison, GA)
:)
@gritandglory says:
i can’t wait to hear the rest of the story behind #2 and 3…
I would love to get a tattoo, but honestly I have no idea where I would get it and exactly what I would get. I’m like you, I have ideas, but no real vision of what I would want…..so till then, I wait. Though I do think I would get it in my foot/ankle region and I know I want either something to do with my love for Africa and the love of my children. So maybe that is two tattoo’s I want? :) BTW, this shocks people when I say I want a tattoo…..I think it even shocks Kev a bit. :)
@bahava says:
No tattoos yet….but ever since Africa, I’ve really wanted to get a tattoo with “hephzibah” in hebrew. It means “My delight is in her” So, we’ll see if I actually go through with it someday :)
I’ve got 2 tattoos and I’d love to get another one, but at this point I haven’t come up with anything else I want permanently on my body.
@Nomadstacey says:
I didn’t know you wanted a 3rd tat!
You’ve heard my idea for my tat. I want a reminder that I am His beloved. That I, as part of the Church, am a beautiful, loved, and desired daughter of my Father. That His love for me is all I need. That my heart is for Him alone. Because I can waiver so easily in that, I want it to challenge me and something for me to fall into when I feel broken.
Still waiting for the right time to get it.
What’s the idea of tat #3?
@nateonamission says:
awesome. I love women that live in that constant reminder. yes!
that is what my 2nd tat says… “His beloved” in hebrew – inscripted on a gold signet ring on my side wrapping around to the front. The ring surrounds two stems of white lilies (representing God’s purity) and then are wrapped by an eternal vine (John 15:5) :) get it girl!!! you’ll never regret it.
I got it primarily because I wanted something to represent that my heart and body were His alone. I love it… you should get it :)
@gritandglory says:
maybe i should’ve read all the comments before i started replying! i wanna see your ink, woman!
@gritandglory says:
not ready to go public with my thoughts for #3 yet… but i’m excited about it! i had to refrain from making it #2 and getting it last week in oregon!
No tattoos for me…now. (I know better than to say NEVER, but I just can’t imagine having something permanently written on my skin.)
I have one tattoo. Its a shield down by my hip. On it are the words: Love, Rock, Truth, Refuge, and Sovereign. I put it there because the muscular dystrophy primarily affects my hip area. Reminds me that He covers me. I designed it myself.
I don’t know if I would get another. Haven’t come up with anything else yet that I would want permanently there.
that sounds super cool!
@gritandglory says:
i love all the significance in your tat (and location) — and i’m so impressed that you designed it yourself!
@nateonamission says:
so crazy that you would mention getting more tattoos.
I have been seriously considering getting one.
I’m uber scared that the pain is going to be too much to handle. ugh!
I would love to get the words Solo Cristo on the inside of my left wrist.
Christ Alone.
a constant reminder that in Christ alone my hope found.
nothing can take that away.
Hi Nathan – I have two and the pain is not bad at all. :-) I like your idea for your tattoo.
@gritandglory says:
i chewed on starburst while i got my ink… it was just perfect to chomp on when the pain got bad! ;)
Okay dude…. I am THE biggest baby when it comes to pain. Seriously. And I can’t even say “well I had three babies so I can deal with pain” b/c I can’t…. I begged for an epidural when they admitted me each time. ;o) Truth be told, I begged for an epidural the minute I got pregnant. ;o) heehee
The pain isn’t unbearable…. yes I squeezed the crap out of Jake’s hand, yes I swore just leeetle bit, yes I banged my foot a couple of times…. but all in all, you can totally do it. If *I* can do it, you can do it. ;o)
And, my tattoo (DAO…for the boys) is on the inside of my left wrist. ;o) I love it! I look at it always and remember why I got it (long story) and love it more everytime! You should totally do it! And if you want, just get “Solo” one time, then wait a bit and go back for “Cristo” ;o)
@gritandglory says:
“i begged for an epidural the minute i got pregnant” – cracking me up over here!
yeah…. the labor lasts a day, if that. The pregnancy… 9 looooong months. ha!
@gritandglory says:
mine hurt. but i can handle just about anything in short doses.
No tatoos for me – I’m too indecisive. Though if I got one, likely it would be a Hebrew word. Love your shalom!
@gritandglory says:
i am so indecisive too… i’d wanted my “shalom” ink for a few years before i got it – i figured since i still wanted it after so much time, i should just as well go for it.
cutting my hair short took me even longer to commit to then getting a tattoo! oi vey.
I don’t. My hub, on the other hand, has many. And he made his own gun and occasionally earns a bit of $ giving them. (And he’s very clean, doesn’t reuse needles, wears gloves, etc.) I am a person who believes that something that permanent better not just be “cool.” It needs to have great significance and be well thought out. My hubs doesn’t subscribe to that same philosophy, and consequently also has tats he wishes he wouldn’t have gotten. Based on how much my kids love to color all over themselves, I imagine it will be in my future as a parent – in guiding them to make wise decisions about this.
I used to joke I would get the solar system around my boob (Is that an ok word to say here?) with the sun… well, you can figure it out. Now, IF I were to get one, I’ve thought about getting footprints, little ones, on my foot, on foot for each kid.
But you NEVER get any names that aren’t your parent or child. If you get a spouse’s, it’s a total jinx. I laugh EVERY TIME I see my MIL’s old gf’s name emblazoned on her arm. I can’t imagine how her new gf feels.
@gritandglory says:
i’m so with you on the names… bad juju there. ;)
i love your idea of footprints for your kids… (and my eyes got wide when i saw boob solar system! ha!)
Oh, and I forgot to say I really liked your tattoo and the explanation/meaning behind it.
And also, I was born in Orange, CA. :D
I saw a tattoo once that I ADORED. This mom and dad were walking around ikea with their little one strapped into one of those papoose things. On the back of both of their arms was his footprint – his REAL footprint. I. LOVE. THAT. IDEA.
Yeah, I’ve heard of that and think that’s cool. I however have 4, soon 5 kids, and I don’t want that many big tats. lol
No tattoos. I would want Conrad on my foot or somewhere that will still look good in 70 years. But Dan thinks its creepy for a mom to get her kids name on her. He thinks of it as if his mom had his name on her that would be weird. But I think it would be weird for his mom to have any tattoos because she is just not like that. Dan says the only name I can get on me is his and tell me now just how cool would DAN look on me? Haha not going to happen! So I don’t see me getting one because dan thinks they are stupid.
I would however get a boob job!
I have 3 – with plans for #4 once I get past this baby.
Hi Alece,
This is my first time reading your blog. I came over here from a link on Sarah Markley’s blog.
I got my first Tattoo about a year and a half ago. I had always been against tattoos…I thought it was silly to mark up your body with pictures of stuff… That changed when I had something worth putting on my body.
My husband and I got matching tattoos for our 18th wedding anniversary. It was the first time that I took a step back from us to look at who we were and where we had come from. We have gone through health struggles, both mine and his, and have raised a son and are working on raising our daughter. Soon we will be empty nesters. I decided that year that we would be together for the rest of our lives (odd that it took 18 years to get to that place) and I wanted nothing else.
So we got matching tattoos. And we are in love with ink. :0) We are both deciding what we want next.
@gritandglory says:
i loooooved reading your ink journey, dawn! i think it’s so beautiful that you and your husband did that together.
I have no tattoos and don’t really want one but if I were to get one, it would be something about grace.
My sister has five or six tattoos all related to her faith… one though is a friendship one. She loves all of hers!
@gritandglory says:
mmmm…. grace. for a while i had considered getting that word on my wrist, and then changed it to “shalom”.
Hmmm. I admire lots of tattoos on people, not sure I’d ever have the guts to get one….but maybe someday I will.
Not sure exactly what design/words I would get though….
@gritandglory says:
i think it all comes down to knowing what you’d want. if you ever feel compelled to get something, you will be certain of whatever it is.
@pa3cia says:
I have 2. My 1st one I had at 14, a dragon tramp stamp (I had no wisdom back in the day). My 2nd one I got a couple of years ago – my son’s name (Christian) spelled in my language’s ancient alphabet. It reminds me about my child, but also reminds me what an honor it is to bear the name of Christ.
I want more :) but since they are pricey, I will probably not get one unless I get bday $ or something ;)
I will be the first to call it out: yes, tattoos can be an addiction. :D
@aeg0707 says:
Two words- blacklight ink. It’s invisible at all times except under a blacklight. I’ve got “credo” tattooed on my wrist. I am continually drawn to the beauty of St. Augustine’s faith- “I believe in order that I may understand.” I wanted the whole phrase tattooed on my wrist, but the artist that did it wouldn’t tattoo anything in a complete circle- some old indian belief that tattooing a complete circle on one’s body (ie: around the wrist) would trap in their soul! So one word it was. I love it. LOVE IT. After every place the Lord has walked me through, it amazes me to know I believe Him, even when I don’t understand Him.
@gritandglory says:
i never knew you could get a tattoo with blacklight ink – that’s so wild!
i love the significance of your ink. “i believe Him, even when I don’t understand Him” — that right there is a powerful, powerful statement.
I love my ink. :) I did not at first I won’t lie! I think growing up in the missionary/Christian home that I did, I felt SO guilty about getting it, even though I did NOT do it behind my parents back, I felt so guilty. I had to wake up every morning and tell myself I loved it, until I finally did. :) Kind of sad I think! But I have wanted it since 7th grade. I have redeemed written in a different language on my foot… like you, it’s my reminder. :) And I love how you pointed out even when you heart does not agree or embrace that, it’s still there to remind you… I love that!
I do have tattoo #2 and 3 as well. :) I’m into the whole word thing though. I want refuge in white ink on my wrist or forearm… I’m tan, so I think it would come out fine. :) I actually am thinking of doing that in July, we shall seeee. I will admit, they are quite addicting! That’s why I’m trying to hold off on these as long as possible. :) At least till I get some real job after finishing college. :)
@gritandglory says:
amazing to me that you wanted “redeemed” since 7th grade! you had some serious vision back then!
i’ve never seen a white ink tattoo, but i think that would look beautiful! can’t wait to see it after you get it! ;)
Oh and PS, I have a gnome that sits by my front door, who is super cute and his name is Shalom. :) :) :)
@gritandglory says:
oh my word! are you serious?! that is hilarious… and so dang cute!
Yes ma’am I am so serious! :) Most people think I’m weird b/c they think gnomes are creepy, but… I think they’re adorable. :) I’ll take a photo so you can meet Shalom. :)
@randishort says:
Love the constant reminder girl. Nothing better than always having before you the truth of God.
mhm – I love tattoo’s.
I got my first years ago when I was young and well… it’s something that I still like but has absolutely no meaning.
I just recently got my second. It’s the first bar of “Amazing Grace.” I love music. And “Amazing Grace” is a song that wrecks me everytime I hear it. With my past – I love being able to look at my arm and immediately think “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me”.
It’s a constant reminder of what an amazing God we serve that He, and only He, could turn my life around and bring me to Himself.
I have no idea what my next one will be. But there will likely be another one.
@gritandglory says:
wow, randi! that is beautiful!
Both my husband & I have “Acholi” written on our left wrist. For the past few years, we’ve been incredibly involved with Invisible Children – an organization helping the Acholi people in n. Uganda receive sustainable education as well as end the terror Joseph Kony (LRA rebel leader) has caused. Our reasons for getting inked are numerous – n. Uganda has permanently wedged itself into our hearts, we wanted a constant reminder, and our involvement with IC – and everyone we’ve met through IC – has been a catalyst in our journey towards where we are now. We’ve even heard it said (but haven’t been able to confirm) that “Acholi” means human in their language – which is a beautiful thought. There is absolutely no difference between me and some woman in n. Uganda – the only comparison is that I was born in America and my sister over there has never known peace. With this I am not okay. My tattoo reminds me to pray for those I’ve never met.
As for other tattoos – um yes. I want “storyteller” written somewhere on my arm – using the “She Dances” logo as a quill pen symbol. And when we adopt, I will do something for our child. [It just depends when/where/how...] :) Finally, I want “walk like giants” on my foot – once again as a reminder of living every day to the fullest & not bowing down to the pressure of worry which ultimately clouds my purpose.
@gritandglory says:
elora, i’m smiling so big right now! i love love love the meaning in all your tattoos — the one you have and the ones you want…
:) I’m REAL big on the stories behind tattoos [I know. Surprising]. SO. It’s only natural mine have significance! Confession: I’m a HUGE woose when it comes to pain, so getting the wrist tattoo was a huge step – and it felt like fire. I just have to remind myself it’s so worth it, and the pain is part of the whole “process.”
On a serious note. If I was to ever get a tatoo it would be of a unicorn. My friends wanted to get matching tatoos of something “symbolic and deep” so naturally I suggested the carebear heart in the exact location the carebears rocked it. I told this to a friend the other day who suggested that I get a tatoo of a unicorn impaling a carebear through the heart and out flowing from that impaling would be rainbows.
enjoy that visual.
@gritandglory says:
you have a wicked imagination, my friend! ha! ;)
My one and only is DAO on my wrist…. done technically “upside down” so that I can read it… since it’s for me and no one else. ;o)
When I got it I knew it would be my only one, but lately I’ve been feeling the urge to get another one…. a song lyric of some sort since music ministers to me so deeply. I’ve also been trying to convince Jake to get our rings tatttooed, but he’s not too hot on that. haha! Says they’ll eventually warp b/c of the area and b/c we wear our regular rings over that spot.
I also REALLY want my nose pierced, badly, but can’t seem to get up the nerve to do it. But I know that I want to do it while I’m on this trip home. ;o)
@PrudyChick says:
I’m ready to get my nose pierced (and have full approval from hubby). Just need these stupid allergies to clear up.
I’m just TERRIFIED of the pain…. more so than the tattoo. I have the most sensitive nose (and I’m totally a baby). If I pop a lovely zit on my nose, I cry uncontrollably (I seriously can’t make the tears stop, I just ooze tears), and my nose gets FLAME red. I need a drink before I go in for that. haha!
I want a nose piercing too! And Prudence – I’m with you, gotta get the allergies cleared. If I get this position with an Education agency I will probably get the piercing this summer. (And I love the idea of a tattoed ring.)
ME TOO on the ring! I already drew a cutesy design of our initials (J/B) just to put there, but he still says no. LOL I might do it anyway though. ;o)
one of my close friends has a design with her husband: one has a box with a heart cut out, and the other has a heart. too cute.
that is SUPER cute!
@gritandglory says:
tam and i can take you to get your nose pierced… just sayin.
hmmmm, that’s a good idea….. I’ll think on that a bit. ;o) I might break your hand though. ha!
@kamriereed says:
YES!! I really want a tatoo that will say love plain and simple on the palm of my hand. I really want it there just to allow me to remember I am always loved and accepted and on top of all of that I need to be love.. The only bad thing is my parents are not to happy with a tatoo.
@gritandglory says:
on your palm!? ouch. that hurts me just thinking about it. but i think it would look rockin’!
@PrudyChick says:
I have one on my left wrist. It is “Missio” which is Latin for sent.
Already have my next one picked out – just need more $$. It’s going to be a vintage tattoo style rose with Shawn’s and my name. Unsure where I want it. Considering just below the collar line of my t-shirts on my back. I want to be able to cover it up if necessary.
why did you get one that meant sent? was there a particular reason?
@PrudyChick says:
Yeah. A reminder that I’m supposed to be living as a missionary. Sent to love those that are far from God. It was after some significant changes God made in my heart.
@gritandglory says:
love love love this, P! (i get to see it…and the rest of you… SOON!)
I got my first tattoo 4 months after Jordan left me. Its on my right wrist. It says “rise up little girl and live.” in greek. Its from Mark chapter 5. I always loved that chapter in the bible. FUll of faith stories. The women believing just a touch of his garment was enough, then Jesus rising up Jarius’s daughter to life.
I love it. I love the reminder that He can raise me up to new life again too. That I am whole in Him, that I am alive in Him and that though death and curses were placed over me, today, today is new day….
I love your ink, Alece! I can’t wait to see more!
@gritandglory says:
bekah, i got goosebumps reading that. “rise up little girl and live”. i just opened mark 5 so i can camp out there a bit… i need to hear His voice speaking that phrase to my heart.
do you have a picture of your ink? i’d love to see it.
YES! I will email you later today with some. I really don’t have a good one, I should do that….
It really is my “Jesus” tattoo and has a whole new meaning to me.
I always LOVED that phase in the BIble. Since I was about 14 I told my parents I wanted it on me, permenanetly. They said no way. Not as long as I lived under their roof. So I just had it tucked away in my mind for when I moved out. THen I got a job teaching and decided to wait…but I always loved it. Then Jordan and I got married, then he made the choices he did…then I was at rock bottom and dead.
Dead to all emotions, dead to all dreams I had of living and loving overseas, dead to the idea He could ever want, ever use me again.
That summer a friend flew me out to their house to live for a month with them and just be loved on. While out there, my friend said “lets do it! you always wanted one and it would be a big and good statement for you, bekah, because He still has so much live to breath into you and to use you for.” So, off we meant.
Also, some “geek” in me coming out. That is one of only 3 phases that was NEVER translated into Greek when it was written. Mark kept it written out in Aramaic when he wrote the book in Greek. I can’t remember the other two phases, but i remember that from Greek class at Bible school (took Greek for 4 years). There is deep significance to me in knowing that phase has a carried deep meaning in the original language and Mark didn’t want to write it out in Greek. I love that, how special it must be…
The ink isn’t “that cool.” I wrote it out myself and watched the artist copy it on paper to make sure I liked his writing. it is very simple and thats what I wanted. Because the words are what hold the power to me, and still do, and each time I see my hand I realize “yes, yes! He has called me up to new life in Him! I am not dead! Though curses were put on me, and he wished me to not be, Jesus has branded me and Has spoken the Life-Words over me and I rise up and live!”
Sorry! I am preaching, it just makes me all sorts of excited when I really pause and think over the phase and over Jesus and how He still isn’t finished with me, and He hasn’t chosen another over me, and how He just loves me.
I’ve always wanted a tattoo, but never really nailed down what I want because i’ll never get to have one. I can’t risk it with my health, but I know Who is permanent on my heart, so that’ll be good enough for me.
@randishort says:
“but I know Who is permanent on my heart”…… love this girl. mhm.
@gritandglory says:
seriously, fritz! i love your heart…and the beauty that continually flows out of it!
@tamhodge says:
well, i can think of things i DONT want a permanent reminder of…
gray hair.
wrinkles.
weak bladder.
eeeeeyore….
=)
@gritandglory says:
hahaha! i forgot about that eeyore tattoo! where did we see that?! (that was really with YOU!?)
i have lyrics from the sufjan stevens song vito’s ordination.
rest in my arms, sleep in my bed
there’s a design to what i did and said
lyrically one of my favorite songs, and it touches my heart deeply every time.
@gritandglory says:
i’d love to hear the significance of those words to your heart…
i am in a rocky place with my relationship with god – feeling sometimes that he doesn’t love me because of who i am. through this whole song, i feel like he is saying come to me, let me care for you. i also love the line, “when you wear your clothes, i wear them, too.” i guess overall, these words are like a hug that you would give to the dearest of friends. a hug that comes with understanding and acceptance of who you are as a person and hope for what is to come.
I have 3 and I want more! You should have @lisapbj draw one for you! I am getting Faith on my wrist as soon as I am home long enough to get in with my tattoo guy. But I also want about 4 more. 1 that Lisa is going to draw for me.
hope your doing great!
@gritandglory says:
hey you! ;) i’m so curious about all your ink — the ones you already have and the ones you someday will.
and i should TOTALLY ask lisa to help! thanks, jess!
I can definitely understand this. I’m not a tatoo person, so I wouldn’t opt for that route. But there’s been something tumbling around in my heart for a few months that is really similar, in it’s own personal way to me. And to answer the first of your two questions: the permanent reminder to me is that I am His pearl of great price. He gave e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g for me. Nothing held back. Nothing skimpy. Nothing half-hearted. He saw me … and wanted me that much. Crying. So yes, I understand.
@gritandglory says:
mmmmm… i love that, annie!
@jclayville says:
no. none. i believe tattoos are of the devil. i would NEVER mark up my body like this…
… sinner…
@coloraturajoy says:
bahaha.
@gritandglory says:
shut up.
liar.
@coloraturajoy says:
no tattoos for this girl.
don’t judge.
but i’m chicken.
and fickle.
and it just ain’t my type.
having said that…
i think tattoos are completely rad. especially ones that have meaning. and even more especially the ones that have eternal meaning. like yours. and several of the ones listed here. (but i’ll never understand the disney character on the ankle trend…seriously?!).
and all of those reasons are exactly why i LOVE gettin’ me some henna tats. oh yes i do. painless. inexpensive. and for “2 weeks” (which i’m assuming is latin for at least a month), i have a “tattoo” that makes people think i’m cooler and more risk-taking than i actually am.
@gritandglory says:
oh me neither – i don’t understand what makes people get random characters like that…
and i did my first henna tattoo in mexico in january… and you’re right. “2 weeks” IS latin for “at least a month”!
A friend of mine who I worked with at Victoria’s Secret had Piglet on her boob! On the cleavage part so it looked like he was sliding down her boob. I loved it and thought it was great! She got it when she was 16 and drunk and was not a huge fan of it 10+ years later.
Oh and for all the nose piercing people, I had one when I was 14 for about a week till my parents made me take it out and they put some numbing stuff on it so it didn’t hurt more than a regular piercing. I think the top of your ear hurts worse. I never did re pierce my nose though.
Bummer. I got a tattoo when I was 19 and knew everything…except the meaning of long-term consequences…which is now taken care of. Thanks 19.
Now I am seriously considering a modification (that’s cover up) of my 19 yr. old brilliant yin-yang flame tattoo. Picked it off the wall in seedy SoHo London. Nice. Anyway, I need an awesome artist to transform it into something Christian-cool like a flaming tongue of Pentecost. So, if you find a good artist that kicks it at missionary prices…let me know.
In the meantime, I will keep answering my kids’ questions about “why on earth I would get such a thing tattooed” with lessons of good decision making and consequences, which induces eyes rolling and ADHD. Another fine example of “do as I say, not as I do.”
I got a tat over Christmas it’s one I’d been planning for a while and my bro decided it was going to be my Christmas present (he is soooo awesome!). Anyway it’s the Chinese character for Faith (Trust). I chose that translation becuase it means more to me to trust in Him than to simply believe (btw I don’t think believing is a bad thing my reasoning stems from bad treatement I have recieved from the church at various times in my life from people who confessed to believe and didn’t act like it). It’s in Chinese because I’m fascinated with oriental culture. :D And yes I’m already planning my next one which won’t be quite as “deep” it’s going to be a fairy sitting on a pile of books because I love fairies and books!! :)
Love your tat and the meaning behind it, beautiful!!
G
Yeah.
I did this too.
At a similar point in my life
and for a similar reason.
Mine says “truth” and it’s on my wrist too, just in the opposite direction of yours.
http://www.soeveryday.com/2010/05/14/on-my-plate/
@hannahruthie says:
Right now I’m thinking about a cross with a crown at the foot of the cross, reminding me to give God the glory that I want to keep for myself. I’m also trying to decide if I want the crown of thorns on the cross…so many decisions!
so, i’m late to the party, but…
i do have 1 tattoo that i got for my 18th birthday. a dolphin that i am no longer interested in and have been working on having removed.
i promised myself i’d wait for a new one till that one is gone all the way, but when it is i will be getting a tattoo down my side that says “i will allure her into the wilderness and speak tenderly to her”. it’s from the book of hosea and just so representative of some very difficult times in my life. the Lord took me into the desert and loved me and taught me gently. it’s just such a beautiful picture.
i’d also like to get “not all who wander are lost” tattooed somewhere at some point, because of my natural inclination to wander through life moving to new cities, new jobs, etc etc. but i’m not lost, it’s a holy discontent.
my mom and i are thinking of getting tattoos on our feet together. she wants to get the verse about him pulling us out of the miry clay and setting our feet on the rock. and i want a corrie ten boom quote “if God sends us on strong paths, we are provided strong shoes”.
is it okay to be 32 and want to get all these tattoos ?? i hope so…