02.29.08The Story Behind the Ink
You see this white leg with ink on it? Yep, that’s me and my tattoo. And this is the story behind it.
The backdrop was the dry, desert heat of Turkey. Ten years ago, I was in the Air Force and spent five months living in sand where I inspected my shoes for scorpions, cleaned sand out from behind my ears, and wrestled with the reason for my mere existence.
I felt a bit like a nomad as I spent my off-duty time walking around thinking over my life. I was completely broken. I have experienced so much pain in my life and it was as if I didn’t allow my heart to break. Then all at once- it hit me.
Rejection. Loneliness. Desperation. Doubt. Abuse. Insecurity. Pride. Condemnation. Guilt. Abandonment. “Crazy Times” by Jars of Clay was playing in the background as I broke down with my hands on my face recognizing all the sin I had committed and was committed against me.
I was already a Christian- but it was at this moment I discovered the depth of my relationship with Jesus. I began to embrace the identity I had all along- I was (am) a child of God.
I remembered all that God had brought me through. Love. Acceptance. Redemption. Restoration. Relationships. Hope. Joy. Grace. Truth. I had been through so much- but also had been seen through so much. God’s providential hand was guiding my life the whole time. Even more, I realized that my life wasn’t an accident. I read Jeremiah 29:11-12 and finally saw that God had a plan- even for me.
In the desert of Turkey I knew my purpose was to be a messenger of the grace and truth of Jesus Christ.
This went beyond a vocational calling- it was a life calling. It was as if the scales fell of my eyes. I made a commitment to God to not live a segmented life- but live wholeheartedly. To not be ashamed of my faith- but show people the grace and truth of Jesus.
To mark this moment in my life, I got my one and only tattoo. I wanted ink that would represent my purpose. I knew it would make a bold statement as to what I’m all about. And at the end of my journey in Turkey, I got it, and have never regretted it.
I love the conversations this splat of ink on my leg has instigated. And I especially love the fact that it gives glory where glory is due.
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Thank you Carlos and my fellow “Splat Your Tat” readers at Ragamuffin Soul for checking this out. I look forward to reading the stories behind your tat’s too.




