Inked

This is the blog post I've been dying to publish.  Mostly because I love surprises.  But also because I love to do things that people don't expect me to do.  I'm not gonna lie, I really enjoy the wow-I-can't-believe-you-did-that look on people's faces.  Don't put me in a box!  Anyway, back to my surprise...

I GOT A TATTOO.

There it is, do you believe it?  I don't blame you if you don't.  My own mother didn't believe it.  She thought it was a stick on.  Maybe she'll believe it when she reads this post (whaddaya think now, mom?).  Here's how it came about:

Once upon a time (last summer) in a land far way (Hershey Park) a beautiful young damsel (me) noticed that 99% of the other inhabitants of the land had tattoos.  And she didn't want to be left out so she ran to the nearest tattoo parlor and got something slapped on.

The first sentence is true (except there was no official poll done to prove the accuracy of the statistic).  The second is not even close to truth.  Firstly, I (mostly) don't care what people think of me so I wouldn't get a tattoo just to fit in.  Secondly, I am wise enough to know that you don't get just anything tattooed on your body.  This is permanent, people!  And not cheap.  So don't do it just to do it.

After being at Hershey Park and seeing all those tattoos (some very cute and some VERY disturbing) the idea really started to grow on me.  I knew exactly what I wanted and where I wanted it.  In May I told Larry I would like a tattoo for my birthday which is in March.  I was looking for a shocked expression but in true Larry fashion there was little to no reaction.  This is what I got instead: "As long as you earn the extra money for it".  Um, ok, I'll do it then.  I set about putting a little cash back each week in my envelope marked "tattoo".   In June I asked my good friend, Rachael, if she would go with me.  I had no idea how to go about this and Rachael has a pretty little tattoo above her ankle.  And we share the same birthday so we really should celebrate together!  She was super excited and surprised (it made up for Larry's non-reaction).  I was so happy that she would come with me.  But a few weeks later I decided that March was taking too long to get here.  So I texted Rachael and asked if we could go for our half-birthday.  She was more than willing.

So on Sept 10 we drove into the city and walked into a building where we were extremely out of place.   But I left with what I wanted and was extremely pleased about it.  And Rachael left with the knowledge that I can really talk a lot if I have to :)

And now you are thinking, "What is it?  Stop blathering on and on and post a photo!"

There it is.  This word "redeemed" has been rolling around my heart for a very long time.  I think it is one of the loveliest words I know.  "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect."  ~1 Peter 1:18-19  Jesus redeemed my life and yours by sacrificing his very own!  If that doesn't get you excited then you best be checking your pulse.  The only reason my life is worth anything is because Jesus washed over the ugliness of it with his blood.  I can't earn this redemption.  All I can do is accept the fact that I am a sinner saved by grace alone.  Jesus took the punishment that was meant for me so that I could be saved.  And he did it for you too.  Trust him with your life, let him wash you in his blood.  Sing with me at the top of your lungs "I've been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, filled with the Holy Ghost I am.  All my sins are washed away, I've been REDEEMED!!"