It Only Took a Tattoo and an Hour.

We are ending our time in Europe. I can’t believe how fast and slow these past 3 months have gone. I have experienced every kind emotion that humans possess… or at least it seems like that.

 

We are currently debriefing the past couple months in Bucharest, Romania. As I reflect on the past few months, I see the goodness of God throughout it all.

 

I see my teammates filled with joy. I see my leadership, passionately giving vision to us. I see my friends developing deeper relationships. My brother is out of the ICU. My heart can finally rest.

 

Throughout this debrief, I have cried in front of my PSquad family as I read a journal entry I wrote during the toughest moment of my life. I have spoken about Kingdom Dreams to PSquad and explained what Kingdom Dreaming actually is. And low and behold, I got my first tattoo.

 

Now before I am judged for getting a tattoo, I want explain three things:

 

1. Getting this tattoo is an imprint of what God has done in my life

2. A friend of mine (who came with me to get it) was able to explain the Gospel to the tattoo artist

3. I shared my testimony through my tattoo

 

Now I don’t know your view on tattoos. I don’t know if you are all for it or if you don’t think they are biblical. I’m not writing to debate this issue among believers. I’m here to share a story of my tattoo.

 

My tattoo says: Until my last breath, Hallelujah

 

The reason for this is because I got a text that my brother was coding and I had a decision to make. Will I continue to worship Jesus and trust that God has a plan for this?? Or will I curse God and ask Him why?? I don’t know if any of you have ever been in a position like this… Where you have NOTHING to say or do that encompasses the emotions running through your veins.

 

All I remember is falling to my knees, screaming the word hallelujah over and over again.

 

After these sorrowful moments passed, I realized that until I die, I want to praise the Name of the Lord no matter what. I want His Name on my lips forever and ever. Because although I don’t understand WHY things are happening, I’m going to trust my King. Life or death.

 

This is where my tattoo comes from. A place of deep sorrow and joy. I never knew that joy and sorrow could be found in the same place at the same time. But I lived it. I felt it. And it’ll be over my dead body that I keep my mouth shut about it.

 

Followers, until my last breath, I will sing the name of the Lord. 

After I got the tattoo, I was walking back to my hostel. When I got there, the receptionist who I have grown very fond of, was sitting in the lobby.

 

She exclaimed, “What happened to your arm?!”

 

I smiled and told her that I got a tattoo. She asked what it said and why.

 

This conversation turned into a deep dialogue of my story. How I don’t feel empty anymore because Jesus has filled the void in my heart. How Jesus took everything for me. How drinking, guys, and jobs always left me feeling empty, but my King gives me life and meaning. How my King is STILL worthy of praise even though He allowed my brother to be injured. And I can rejoice because He heard thousands of prayers from His people.

 

It was the coolest thing to share my story with an unbeliever, just minutes after getting my first tattoo.

 

The pain of almost losing my brother was excruciating, but through that, I got a tattoo, and I was able to relate to Roxanne with my story.

 

Jesus really does redeem.

 

I don’t know what the Lord has in store for Roxanne. But in Jesus’ Name she will become a believer in Christ. Even if it was just planting a seed.

 

I believe tattoo’s are conversation starters for anyone. Again, I’m not here to debate. I’m just here to share what Jesus can do through tattoo testimonies and sorrowful times.

 

I ask that you pray for Roxanne. Pray that the Lord gives me the words to tell her the Gospel and that she receives it in Jesus’ Name.

 

Thanks for all your support.

 

Our lives to His honor. Hail to the King.