I got a tattoo.
Mom and Dad, don’t freak out.
beloved.
This one word has been the theme of my Race, and really my heart, for quite some time now. In 2007 when the Lord drew me back into his heart in the mountains of North Carolina, I heard Him whisper this word to me – beloved.
When I read Redeeming Love in the middle of the swirling craziness of my chaotic junior year of college, the word beloved in my Father’s voice jumped off the page at me and spoke directly to my heart. Beloved, I’ve got you. No matter how far you try to run or how much you feel you’re sinking, know that I’ve got you. You are Mine, Beloved.
Again and again, I have heard my Father speak this word over me. I am HIS. My name even says it! Sara means princess, a fact I’ve proudly paraded around and allowed classrooms of children to call me. But truly, I am His princess, His favorite (don’t worry, you are too…), His masterpiece.
At the beginning of the race, my teammate Francis gave a word – This year you will get a glimpse of God’s great love for the world, but remember that it is for you, too. – accompanied with a handmade pink and yellow bracelet from Threads of Hope. Boy, was he right! As I’ve raced around the world and walked deeper and more confidently in my identity as a Daughter these past 7 months, the Lord has been singing over me so sweetly.
Beloved, You are Mine. My love that runs so deep is for YOU. You are my treasure, my prized posession. I am SO proud of You, Beloved. Walk with me, rest in me, live in me – I am yours and You are MINE.
My sister Shannon wrote my tattoo, which means the world to me. Jessica, who has run this race from the beginning with me, came along and cheered me on during the whole 5 minutes. Chrin stood close by, capturing the moment in pictures and rooting for me and preparing for her own beloved tattoo on her ring finger.
Shannon, my personal tattoo artist and dear sister!
I’ll continue to stand boldly in this declaration – I am His beloved. My God is FOR me, His love for me runs deep, He holds me so tightly and believes in me and is proud of me. He is using me to bring the kingdom, on earth as it is in heaven.
I am His beloved.
