Tattoos and Stones

Tattoos and stones?

Unusual combination, or totally related?

For me . . . they are totally related. My tattoos serve as stones of remembrance.

Let’s take a look at two examples of stones of remembrance before I relate them to my tattoos.

Struggles During Their Forty-Year Journey

When we read Exodus and Deuteronomy, we learn Moses and the Israelites faced many struggles during their forty-year journey in the wilderness. We know those struggles were tests of their faith. But God also demonstrated his covenant relationship and love for them by performing many miracles.

So many opportunities to strengthen their relationship with God! But would they see it that way?

Would the Israelites rely on God, or would they complain and turn their backs on God when times were tough?

Would witnessing those miracles first-hand strengthen their faith?

After reaching the Promised Land, would the Israelites remember God’s provision?

Honestly, these are excellent questions for us to consider while we are on our journeys.

Importance of Remembering

When Moses died, God selected Joshua to be the next patriarch of His people. One of Joshua’s first tasks was to show the Israelites the importance of remembering how God was with them, especially during their struggles.

In Joshua 4:5-7, Joshua says, “Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”

The stones are to be a memorial (of his covenant and his miracles).

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The LORD Has Helped Us

In 1 Samuel 7, the Philistines returned the ark of the covenant to God’s people. It was brought to Abinadab’s house to be guarded.

We learn the Israelites were convicted of their sins of pagan worship. They confessed and turned back to God.

Several verses later, God intervened and helped the Israelites defeat the Philistines. The prophet Samuel knew the importance of remembering God, so he set up a stone, named it Ebeneezer, and said, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”

Thus far the LORD has helped us.

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Tattoos as My Stones of Remembrance

With regards to my health struggles, I needed a memorial of his covenant and his miracles. And without a doubt, I could confidently say thus far the LORD has helped me.

I wanted a daily reminder. So, I have tattoos as my stones of remembrance.

When I first sat in Erick’s chair at the tattoo shop, I felt the pain of the needle when he permanently tattooed the word overcomer and three flowers on my left bicep.

One flower represented the stroke at age 2. The other two flowers for two mini-strokes.

When I posted about it, I said, “If . . . and I do mean if . . . I have another mini-stroke, I will add another flower. If my arm becomes a garden of flowers, I WILL STILL FIGHT.”

Tattoos and Stones

Five flowers (mini-strokes) and a dragonfly (brain surgery) later, I kinda do have a garden of flowers.

And I continue to FIGHT.

I honestly look at my tattoos in the mirror every morning as I’m getting ready for the day. On the days I feel the residual weakness on my left side, the tattoos are memorials of his covenant with me and the miracle that my life didn’t end with the stroke/mini-strokes/brain surgery. How can I not be thankful?

On the days my lingering fatigue feels overwhelming, the tattoos remind me thus far the LORD has helped me. And He will help me again. And again. How can I not be thankful?

On the days I feel great, how can I not remember God? How can I not be thankful?

All About Remembering God

For me, tattoos and stones are related on a daily basis. It’s all about remembering God.

Because I never want to forget God’s hand of love and kindness in my life.

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