Once upon a time, before the advent of the smart phone (gasp of shock and horror… yes kids, there was life before the iPhone), busy women, like myself, were forced to rely on their own over-burdened memory to get things done. Appointments. Phone numbers. Grocery lists.
It was all too much for this daydream-y, flustered brain to recall. Writing myself a note was only half the battle. Far too often I would proceed to misplace the paper, along with the ever-so-crucial piece of information I needed to remember. So discouraging when the worn shredded scrap was found at the bottom of a purse or pocket or diaper bag days after it was needed.
I learned to write my important notes somewhere impossible to lose: my own arm.
At the peak of busyness, my skin was a criss-cross of inky blue impressions. The tribal markings of a suburban soccer mom. Appointments. Phone numbers. Grocery lists.
I don’t write on my arm anymore.
Until this weekend.
I decided to revive my old tradition – with a twist. This important reminder is permanently inked on my left wrist… where I will see it frequently… so I will never forget.
B’Tzelem Elohim
in Hebrew
Meaning:
Because I forget this about myself all the time.
About my family and friends.
About the people I meet everyday.
The ones who I barely notice. The ones who cut me off in traffic. The ones who inspire me. The ones who irritate me. The ones we write songs and speeches and made-for-tv movies about. The ones in prison and rehab and reality tv. The ones who are just like me. The ones who live a world away.
Every single person is one of us. There is no them. We all have something in us that resembles the One who made us.
If I remember this… If I look for it… If I call it forward… in myself and in others. Maybe then, I will love and live the way I’m meant to.
God spoke: “Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature
So they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle,
And, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.”
God created human beings; he created them godlike,
Reflecting God’s nature.
Genesis 1:26-27 (MSG)
So here’s me, and to preemptively answer the most frequent question about getting a tattoo: YES, it hurts, a lot. But it’s worth it to me.
So Here's Us... 
March 12th, 2013 at 1:09 pm
Tefillin – Your version of Deut. 6:8- Binding the law,or God’s Word, on your arms!
March 12th, 2013 at 4:49 pm
Exactly!!!
April 22nd, 2013 at 1:14 pm
Hi I stumbled across your delightful blog at the DEEPER Link up about tattoos. I love your tattoo, such a great reminder!
Susie
April 22nd, 2013 at 8:17 pm
Thank you! I love your blog title (as I am another recovering church lady) and your butterfly tattoo also.
April 22nd, 2013 at 2:10 pm
Such a lovely reminder… made in God’s image. Thank you for sharing your story with us. Blessings as you always remember that you are created in HIs image.
April 22nd, 2013 at 8:20 pm
Thanks for the chance to share it! Tattoos are like a new spiritual discipline, with all the great stories and reminders…
April 22nd, 2013 at 3:20 pm
What an excellent message to have inked on your skin. Love it! Thanks for sharing your story. 🙂
April 22nd, 2013 at 8:22 pm
It’s served me better than “I’m a failure” or “people are stupid” which is too often my reflex. Tattooing my way to really understanding truth!
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December 30th, 2013 at 6:00 am
[…] At the peak of busyness, my skin was a criss-cross of inky blue impressions. The tribal markings of a suburban soccer mom. Appointments. Phone numbers. Grocery lists… I decided to revive my old tradition – with a twist. This important reminder is permanently inked on my left wrist… where I will see it frequently… so I will never forget. Read More. […]
August 12th, 2014 at 2:17 pm
[…] believe this so strongly I tattooed it on my arm to remind myself. Every human being – infinitely precious, entirely […]