Tell Me Your Tattoo Story!

I'll go first. Those of you that know me know that I said I wanted to get a tattoo when I turned 50. I am 57 now, so there's no rush. If I am honest the delay has been caused by two factors: overcoming some stereotypes in my head and deciding on the design. I am happy to report that I am closing in on actually getting one!

Long ago and far away, the message in my corner of the world, was that women with tattoos were those of kind girls: the bad-ass, motorcycle riding, chain smoking chicks who were probably the same girls who fought other girls with their hair brushes in the halls of junior high school during passing time in the late 70's. ( #goodyhairbrushes #holdmyhoops #iykyk)

Of recent, there are still others who have explained to me that it's not biblical to get a tattoo because of scripture in the book of Leviticus. If you're going down that road, don't ever cut the hair on the sides of your head or wear a cotton/poly blend shirt. Personally, I'm not going down that road.

Unlike a cafe manager I know who, while higher than a kite, got a tattoo on the back of her forearm resembling a questionable Mickey Mouse, I have spent considerable time reflecting on a meaningful design that I would want permanently on my body. I am drawn to the idea of a small tattoo on my left wrist featuring a sun, moon, star and planet as a continual reminder for me of God's faithfulness and sovereignty.

Sun:

Psalm 19 (NIV) – The Glory of God in Creation

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth."

Matthew 5:45 (NIV) – God's Generosity

"He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

John 8:12 (NIV) – Jesus is the Light of the World

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"

Star

Revelation 22:16 (NIV) – Jesus Himself refers to Himself as the "morning star"

"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star."

Isaiah 40:26 (NIV):

"Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."

MOON

Psalm 104:19 (The Moon as a Marker of Time)

"The moon marks off the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down."

Genesis 1:14-18 (Creation of the Sun, Moon, and Stars)

"And God said, 'Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.' And it was so. God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good."

Planets

At last glance, there are only what some consider vague references to planets in the Bible. I like the idea of a planet because it speaks to the fact that there's so much more we can't even comprehend about the vastness of God's creation and at the same time His attention to detail. (On a side note, just think a second about a giraffe and its gorgeous eyelashes. So cool!)

My tattoo would be a reminder that yes, there is darkness in the world, but light has overcome it.

John 1:5

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

In my experience, life is not so much about being in perfect balance, you know that whole work/life thing that the youngsters talk about it. It's more about learning to counterbalance and be present in every circumstance, knowing that when darkness comes, as it always does, light is also present. It just takes a bit for our eyes to adjust and to see again.

Lessons from the Library

So, I've been testing the waters with my tattoo thoughts. I have a ring and a necklace that have a sun and a moon on them. I usually don't wear them together because that's too matchy matchy for me.

One day this week, a patron came up to me and said, "I love your necklace."

Before I had the chance to rejoice in this moment as confirmation that I should get my tattoo sooner rather than later, she smiled and added, "Are you a witch too?"

I laughed and said, "Just call me, Glinda."

What a great reminder, that no matter how much thought you give to something; someone else will misinterpret your intentions. Let them.

I'll keep you posted on my tattoo adventure. In the meantime, please tell me your tattoo story including where you got your tattoo.