I came onto the race with a list of things that I would not do.
I can not remember the list now or really why I had the list in the first place but the one thing I do remembering telling myself and others, was that I would not get a tattoo in Thailand.
I had come to know this as a racer norm. It has almost become the thing for racers to do. Getting a tattoo in Thailand, seemed to be just what was done. The two became synonymous. And me wanting to somewhat rebel and go against the norm promised myself that I was not going to give in. That whatever I wanted to get permanently drawn on my body could wait until I was stateside again.
Well never say never.
Last night a took a big bite of humble pie as I let myself get a tattoo in Thailand.
Praise the Lord.
I am pretty ecstatic with my decision to give into the alleged norm and get a tattoo in Thailand. The Lord blessed my team last night with a wonderful tattoo experience. We were blessed with a clean shop, who was open and willing to take in three American girls.
For four hours we dominated their shop. We printed out our ideas and they sketched them out on traceable paper. We went to 7 eleven and shopped down the street. We talked to fellow tattoo seekers. But most importantly I got tatted.
I decided to go a bit risky. I chose a location that I had always deemed as an area that was too risky for me to try to do. My ribs.
I say my ribs but it runs at the top of my ribs starting from my chest towards my back. Its pretty sweet and it did not hurt nearly as bad as I had anticipated.
I chose this location at the top of my ribs on my left side around my heart for a reason and purpose.
As I contemplated this new tattoo I asked the Lord what is meaningful and important. What has He been teaching me and what does He continue to speak to my heart.
After processing this question and seeking Him for the answer. The response was simple and clear.
Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
After hearing this from the Lord and talking it over with my team. I knew. There was no other option. This was it. I feel as if this thought is continually showing up in my journal, my prayers and my thoughts. Lord knows that I am prone to wander. Prone to leave the God I love. So what better way to express my heart and to seek Him fully than ask Him to bind me to Him.
So as I stepped into a norm of sorts I stepped into a new level of commitment with the one whom I love. With the one who has always held my heart in His palms. Who loves me fully and completely.
As I continue on through this life I know that I will have my moments of ficklenss and wandering. But thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ that I am saved! That I am His and He is mine. That even when I wander I am found and close to Him because He has already bound my wandering heart to Himself.
As we would say in Africa “Bonasafeway” Praise the Lord.
So that is my Thailand tattoo experience. It might be a bit clique but I am more than ok with it.
