My grandmothers are going to hate hearing this because they have their own reasons for not wanting me to get a tattoo. But, if I’m being honest, there is one main reason that I have never gotten a tattoo, and that is commitment.
There are not a lot of things in life that you vow forever to.
The Lord
Marriage
And Tattoos
Those three things are promises of forever, and forever is a long time.
As I am sure you can tell by now, I’m a little scared of commitment. It’s a big deal. Giving someone your word is a big deal. And, I’m human. Things happen. I mess up. I hurt people that are closest to me. I get bored. I get tired of things. (My parents watched me rearrange the furniture in my room every month growing up.)
When I look at those facts and I take into account my shortcomings, how can I not be scared to commit to forever?
I gave the Lord my life, but I do not pick up my cross everyday to follow Him. Somedays I’m actually really selfish and entitled. I can throw the most extravagant pity party you’ve ever seen.
Marriage is it’s own can of beans. I don’t know a lot about marriage because I haven’t made it there yet. But, I do know that promising to put someone else’s well being and interests before yours, trusting that they are doing the same for you, is hard as heck.
And tattoos! Tattoos are something that you choose to keep on your body forever.
Body. Forever.
Your body is the one physical thing you will never lose. It’s for sure making it to the end with you.
And, you are making the choice to put something on it that will remain there for the entire duration of your life.
With all of these commitments, the only thing that can make them work is grace.
There is always grace upon grace that the Lord is willing to lavish on us. Even when I am being absolutely ridiculous. Even when I have made that same mistake for the tenth time. Even when I turned on the one person who has never turned on me. His grace is sufficient.
When the one person you are supposed to be able to trust more than anyone else breaks your trust. When they are driving you up a wall, and you’re about to lose your mind. The thing that keeps it from crumbling down is a love that is willing to be gracious.
And, there is grace for tattoos as well. It’s called tattoo removal, and it’s really expensive and painful. But, it’s an option.
Grace is hard to give. It’s hard to give in the big things. Like forgiving someone who broke your heart and never turned back to check out the damage. But, it’s also hard to give in the small things. Like when someone got a stain on the shirt you let them borrow. Or someone ate your last piece of pizza that you were saving for breakfast.
We all need so much grace. But, we have to be willing to give grace as well.
