I wanted a tattoo that was Uniquely me. I love my American Indian heritage. My great grandfather was 100% Cherokee Indian and I love looking at tribal designs. That language fascinates me. I also love The Word of God. It is food to my soul. I know that without the love and grace of Jesus I would be nothing at all.
If you read my blog, then you know that in my life I am at the starting line of an amazing shift, a journey, an adventure. I am excited and eager about what lay ahead for my family. With that, now seemed like the perfect time to either get the tattoo or just totally forget it.
There is a true artist who lives among us here in Mannheim. Joy is brilliant. I knew that I wanted her to create the art on my foot. After-all, it is permanent!
So here it is... My Art, My Ink!
Let me tell you about it.
It is a tribal eagle. It's body is made with the words "Isaiah 40:31". It says, "But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." This is one of my favorite verses in the bible but it also symbolizes the fact that we as one faith are the body of Christ.
It has seven wings. Throughout the scriptures, seven is known as the number for perfection/completion. The Word of God is prefect... without error... and we are made complete in Christ.
Inside the wings there are eleven blocks. Eleven is known for the number of judgment. It has a two fold meaning to me. I believe that one day we will all stand before God in judgment and I believe that it is God alone who can judge.. not ME! So I pray for those who do not trust Christ as Savior, but I dare not judge them. My job is to show them the LOVE of Christ without preaching or casting judgment on them.
The heart of the eagle is made of three circles symbolizing the Holy Trinity.
The head of the eagle is designed with the mouth open. Psalm 19:14 say, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."
The eagle has two eyes. Two is the number for unity. It also symbolizes that as Christians we should see people not only in the natural, but also in the spirit. We should see them and love them as Jesus would.
The eagle has three talons. The talon is the eagles weapon of offense and defense. We too have three weapons. They are The Word of God, The blood of The Lamb, and the word of our Testimony. Revelation 12:11 says, "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death."
Finally the eagle is facing away from me. Symbolizing that I am to follow God's plan instead of trying to get him to follow mine. Also the words Isaiah 40:31 are written backwards and thus can only be read plainly when facing a mirror. The words are for me alone as a reminder to not grow weary in the waiting, to hope with great anticipation, to run without fear, to FLY!
