Jesus & Tattoos

Weird title, I know. Lemme explain. I have been realizing so much lately how so many people comment on and ask questions about my tattoos on a daily basis. It's something I'm so used to that it doesn't even phase me anymore; especially not in a tattooed-town like Austin. But even in a "do-whatever-you-want" kind of city like Austin, there are still many people who aren't all that into em.

In case you didn't know, I have 4 tattoos. I love them dearly and they each have a very significant meaning (I will go into all of that later). BUT not everyone is a huge fan of this kind of art. It's not a huge deal in our generation. It's almost become something that you do when you turn 18; you go get a tat. But it is a big deal in the generation that we all know as the Baby Boomer generation. Ya know, our parents and stuff. Especially those conservative, West Texas Baby Boomers. If you're from west Texas, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Coming home with a pea-sized tattoo can break a mother's heart. Tattoos are looked down on by anyone over the age of 50. Pretty simple. Just like anything else, there are always exceptions; but for the most part, the Baby Boomer generation has a completely different opinion on getting inked up. It is something that our generations will just have to agree to disagree on. 

Now, here's where it gets messy. 

Two of the four of my tattoos that I have are on my wrist/hand. Meaning, they are mega visible. And I like them that way. However, it does mean that they are going to be visible to people who aren't very keen on ink. I'm not a heathen because I have tattoos, duh. But to some people, it comes off that way. AND I'M NOT EVEN COVERED IN TATTOOS. Imagine how people who are covered in tattoos feel walking into a church - I tell you right now, most churches may not give them the kind of welcome they deserve. 

Hear me when I say this: JESUS. LOVES. EVERYONE*.

*including people with tattoos.

So many Christians miss this. We get way too wrapped up in earthly things that we forget that we are called to love like He loved; even if they don't necessarily look like you. One of the hundreds of things that I love about my church is how welcoming it is of anyone. For goodness sakes, our worship leader has his arms downright covered in tattoos. He loves the Lord with all his heart and no one would ever question that for a second. People of all colors, shapes, and sizes come to worship at my church and it makes my heart so happy. On the other hand, it breaks my heart to hear someone feel unloved and unwelcome walking into a church because of their tattoos, hair, piercings, clothing, etc. It is completely against what we (supposedly) stand for as a body of Christ. AM I RIGHT?

"My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?" - James 2:1

Having said all of that, I'm stoked to explain to y'all how Jesus has played a part in every tattoo of mine.

1. The first one is a tattoo that I got when I was 17. Yes, I got it illegally, if that's what you're thinking. I was rebellious, had a little graduation money left over, and I was about to enter my first year of college. So what did I do? I snagged a friends ID and took it to the nearest ink shop and had them slap a tattoo on my wrist. It is a Maori (New Zealand) symbol called a double Koru - it stands for new beginnings, growth, and harmony. I have never regretted this tattoo, but I have always wish I would have handled it differently. I did it in a very disrespectful manner towards my parents and went against their will; I deeply hurt them and it breaks my heart to have done it in such a spiteful way.

2. My second tattoo is the set of music notes in my ear; yes, IN my ear. And no, it did not hurt. God gave me a crazy love for music ever since I came out of the womb. It's always been a huge passion of mine, and I wanted to 'physically' always have music in my ears.

3. On to the third one. This tattoo is a dove inspired by the Koru, which is the first tattoo I got. Beneath the dove reads "Matatoa" - which means "fearless" in Maori. P.S. All of my Maori inspired tattoos come from my dad's side of the family, whom are all Kiwi's (New Zealander's).

4. And finally, my last tattoo is the one that I got right before I moved to Austin. It was the first time that I had been prayerful about getting ink. All of the others were selfish. I mean, they looked good and had cool meanings, but I never got them FOR God. Who does that anyway? Welp. I did. And so do a lot of people. This last tattoo reads "Mo ake tonu" - which means "forever, forever, and a day" in Maori. Through all of my struggles, anger, tears, and heartache, God loved me no matter what. And He will love me for forever, forever, AND a day. Talk about some crazy love!!! 

All this ink is a crazy representation of my walk with God. The first one means new beginnings and growth and it was in a season that I was drinking every day and found fulfillment in earthly things; I was starting my new journey without God, but God was definitely there whether I liked it or not. The tattoo of the dove that means fearless came at a time that I quit drinking and began working at Buckle and set out to prove to my friends, parents, and the world that I was going to be something important. The last tattoo brought it ALL together! Through the rough journey through the desert, God kept on loving me - and that's something to celebrate! My last tattoo was kind of like a second baptism to me. I wanted to proclaim to the world that I am God's and He is mine. I was sold on Him and His love and I wanted people to see it! And I fully believe that God looks at me, tattoos and all, and sees me as His beautiful, prized daughter.

Hear me when I say that being disrespectful through tattoos is not okay. Like, at all. It can cause a ton of pain to people you love if you're not careful. While I didn't handle some of my "inking" in the best way, God used it for good; just like He does in every single situation. So next time you run into someone with tattoo(s), ask them about it. You never know what they mean to someone. They may love the Lord just as much as you do.

Blessings y'all,

Katie