I have thought about tattoos for a long time. I don't have a problem with them at all - in fact I think some of them are really beautiful. I do, however, think that one has to give very careful consideration to what they want permanently etched onto their person. While there are removal methods, they are expensive and painful and I'm not convinced they work entirely. There always seems to be a shadow of the former image....
In considering the possibility of my own tattoo, I began to consider how some of my decisions in essence have already been tattooed upon my heart and/or brain. Some of them beautiful... some of them notsomuch. None of them were ever considered before they happened! In fact, it's just now dawning on me that I have some control over what I let be inked into my heart and soul.
I know there are things that will happen and are beyond my control that will stay with me for life. Those things - even the painful ones - are good reminders of both joyous events and lessons learned. However there are some things that I etched in myself - by bad choices - and unfortunately those pictures are not so pleasing to the eye.
God is the ultimate laser tattoo removal specialist and He works wonders with this type of permanent ink. Unfortunately, our memory is never erased entirely and there are always shadows of decisions gone bad. However, going forward, I at least understand better the permanency of my decisions and hopefully the shadows of my past will be reminder enough to make better choices in the future.
Bet you never thought God might speak to you in a tattoo parlor eh?
God has spoken to me in a tattoo parlor, a bar, a homeless shelter and a whole variety of other places. More so in all of those places than ever in a church.
ReplyDeleteThat's one ofmy biggest frustrations with church today. Too many church members refuse to see outside the walls of the church and still only see black and white pictures of life. Grey is abundant and can be so very beautiful. ---Amy
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