Rejoicings in Hope
~To Tat or Not to Tat
Posted by Susan Shipe on November 22nd, 2010 in Blog | 13 Comments
“You do? But the Bible says you should not tattoo any marks on your flesh.”
This was recently said to me upon a reveal of my having a tattoo. I wanted to reply, “Do you eat ham? Do you pick all your grapes off the vine before making jam? Do you wear polyester blended fabric?” (Reference Leviticus 19)
To tat or not to tat - that is the question! I answered that question early in 2009 at fifty-eight years of age and chose to get a tattoo. I was in South Florida, with my cousin, and the decision was made. We prayed heaven down and pleaded the blood of Jesus as we entered the tattoo parlor. One hour later we walked out the door into the warm and bright Florida sunshine hoping not to be seen by anyone we knew! We got in the car, looked at one another and exclaimed like two giddy teenagers, “We did it!”
So, what exactly motivated this 50-something Grandma to mark her flesh? The answer is quite simple. My love for Christ and my hope to NEVER deny Him. Isaiah 49:16 (NKJV) says, “See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; your walls are continually before Me.” If my name is etched in my Savior’s hands then I wanted His Word etched on me! In a beautiful, simple, black script Isaiah 49:16 is engraved high on my left shoulder. There is significance to the placement and position, known only to a few!
I do not encourage nor discourage anyone from getting tattooed, I am convicted it is a personal matter between the person and God. I do encourage the one who is considering it to check their motives and allow God’s wisdom and Spirit to guide you in your decision making and choice of design, for the average person, a tat is permanent.
I heard someone say that tattoos are addictive, if you get one you will want more! Well, not in my case - Father has simply told me, “No more.” I never want to be ashamed of my three “Best Friends” - after all, my name, Shoshannah (I am certain it is etched in Hebrew), is inscribed in the palms of my Jesus’ hands!
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Hallelujah for boldness in Christ!!! An encouragement for me today knowing that Someone DOES love me and cherishes me enough to inscribe my name in the palm of His hand!!! He really is more than enough…..la la la. la la la. la la la….more than enough.
Yes, Father is especially fond of you!
Oh How Beautiful this is! Our Heavenly father is Laughitng and saying, That is my daughter! Love ya honey!
Do you think He’s laughing and making scones?
I’ve always wanted a tattoo but knew it would have to be something that would last…Scripture so falls in that category! =)
As the cousin I will add that the tat has been used
in many conversations (especially strangers) to testify to
whose I am. You said it well cuz
;o) Thanks Cuz!
Amen! I have two tattoos myself and seriously dislike the stares I get from some within the church… A new Christian said it best “I don’t judge you because you don’t have tatoos, please don’t judge me for having them.”
I think we can glorify God even through this! Praise God for boldness to do it.
Thanks Elisse for your confirmation. I must admit I was a bit intimidated of “coming out” - but I did and I’m glad!!! I doubt Jesus had a tattoo but I know one thing, He would never have turned away from someone who did! ♥
I want a tat also…Some may not agree with this statement…but I look at it this way…Jesus also has PERMANENT tattos..some call them scars in the palm of his hands and feet..they do not have any sayings written next to, on top of, or on bottom of them …but we all know the Meaning and Significance of them!
Amen! ♥
You go, with your big bad tatting self. I applaud your prayer, conviction & decision. I only wish I could meet you live to give you a huge high-five.
I should look you up at Christmas time - we’ll be in South FL…I’d love a huge high five from you Heather!!!