For the third Easter octave in a row… I have a new tattoo. Bringing my total count up to 4 in about 2 and a half years. (Guys when they warned you they’re addicting, they meant it)
Each tattoo holds a very special meaning to me in the actual design as well as the placement on my body, and this one is no exception.
My newest addition is the word “Sígueme” on top of my left foot. Meaning “Follow Me” in spanish.
I knew coming on the Race that this would probably happen. But I had no clue what, when, or where. I had been working on a larger design inspired by the Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis but when that ended up being a bigger piece than I was ready to commit to, it was back to the drawing board.
Early on here at Casa Esperanza, I walked into the Sunday school room and saw “Sígueme” up on the wall with the scripture reference Matthew 9:9. Immediately I could see the design in ,y head and knew where I put it but I quickly brushed it off.
1. I always said I would never get a foot tattoo because they’re too “basic”
2. I had my heart set on some sort of C. S. Lewis tattoo
3. I had just said that I didn’t want more script tattoos but more artistry
4. I knew I was going to have to stop getting tattoos soon because I’m running low on easily covered spaces
But it stuck with me.
And this had been the theme of my whole year and the lesson I was learning how to live out for the rest of my life. FOLLOW ME.
I still wanted my race tattoo. My teammates were going to get work done on their sleeves (I know. They’re so cool.) And they had found an affordable, talented artist right here in Santiago. As I faced the rising prices coming my way in Patagonia and Uruguay, I decided to take the plunge.
As I sat in the tattoo parlor patiently awaiting my turn, I pulled out my Bible to read Matthew 9:9.
“ As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.”
At first I was a little disappointed that it was the calling of Matthew instead of Peter and Andrew. This is solely because they were fisherman and I have an undying love for the ocean and all things relating to it. But then as I continued to read it over a few times I realized something. Jesus helped Peter and Andrew with their catch before He called them and they followed. Matthew simply got up and followed without any persuasion that Jesus was worth following. He knew Goodness, Truth, and Beauty when he saw it. And he knew to go after it.
I want to be like Matthew. I want to follow the Lord because I know who He is and not because of what He does for me. And so now I have my reminder written on the top of my left foot. My weaker foot. My foot that naturally follows in every step I take. And right across from it, on the inside of my right ankle, is the celtic symbol for adventure as my desire for more draws me forward. And when I follow, that’s where He leads me. Adventure. More.
So I will follow. And not for the adventure. Not get more. But because of who He is.
