Tattoo

Kevin, my husband, has a few tattoos. He has my name, Rochelle Diane, on the inside of his right bicep and the name Jesus on his chest over his heart. He has wanted me to go with him to get a tattoo as well but I have refused and would quote the Bible verse in Leviticus which states “Do not tattoo thyself as the heathen do” omitting the rest of the verse which says, “to honor the dead.” The Bible says in Deuteronomy 4:2 “You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” Why do you think God does not want us to honor the dead this way? I believe He is a loving God and does not want us to have a daily reminder of such a painful event. I do believe he wants us to remember the loved one but not suffer so in the remembering. Our son, Austin, justifies his tattoos by quoting “Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;” Isaiah 49:16. Our music minister quotes “and on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.” Revelation 19:16

Approximately a year after my encounter with the Lord, I flippantly told my husband that what the Lord had said to me would be something I would consider getting tattooed on my forearm. With a grin on his face he said “get in the truck” I knew that was coming, Kevin had read the book I AM N by the Voice of the Martyrs and in one of the stories the Muslim group ISIS had put the Nazarene symbol in red above the doors of the Christians homes to notify them to renounce Christianity, move or be killed. Kevin was raised in the Nazarene faith, a follower of Jesus Christ from Nazareth.

 I do love the artistry of tattoos. Another reason I had not gotten a tattoo in the past was because I could not decide on what to get, I was afraid that overtime I might regret what I got. This time I knew what I wanted, and I knew I would not regret it. I never wanted to forget what Jesus said. I have noticed how the mind does strange things especially when you get older, I’ve seen wives forget their husband’s names and that they were married 50 years. I just hope I do not mistake the tattoo for spiders on my arm if I cannot see well.

We went to Paris, Texas and sought out a tattoo artist other than the one Kevin had been to before. I was very uncomfortable there. We walked into Alpha Ink Tattoo Parlor and met the only artist in the shop that night. Christian music was playing on the televison which was an unexpected and welcomed surprise. We filled out the paperwork and he took copies of our drivers licenses. Tack started on Kevin and listened intently to Kevin’s story as he tattooed the Nazarene symbol on his shoulder. After he finished with Kevin, he started on mine and proceeded to tell his story. Tack had lived a rough life and was trying to live straight. He was going to an intense Bible study and he was putting a nondenominational worship center in Paris, Texas. A place where anyone of the Christian faith could stand up to the mic and preach, pray or sing. He had a great story of God’s faithfulness and protection. As he finished, he said “that’s a cool tattoo!” Thanks, I said, I designed it myself. I told him I had a life changing incident and handed him a two-page letter describing it. He said thanks and that he would read it.

The next day I had to go to the orthopedist because I had pulled something in the back of my leg and it was causing me great pain. When I got there they requested I show my ID. I went to look for it in my purse and realized that I had left it at the tattoo parlor. The Tattoo parlor wasn’t open yet because they don’t open until afternoon. I provided my concealed carry license which they questioned the ability to use until I told them about the background check needed to acquire one. After my appointment I ran a few errands, ate lunch and then went to the tattoo parlor to get my license. Tack was there working on someone and immediately stopped when he saw me. He said he knew why I was there and went and got my license. As he came toward me he said “I have to tell you something. I couldn’t sleep last night so I went into the kitchen, got myself a glass of milk and sat down to read your story. I balled like a baby. It is such a good story. My mother and her husband had moved in with me because they had fallen on hard times. She must have heard me and came downstairs. She entered the kitchen and asked what was wrong, I pushed the papers toward her and told her she had to read them. She balled too and then her husband came in the room. He asked what was wrong and my Mom pushed the papers toward him. He in turn cried as well.” Tack then leaned in and asked me “Can I print more copies and share them?” I said “Yes, you can.” He said “Thank you” and then I went home fulfilled.

I have kept up with Tack over the years on Facebook. He seems to have been tormented at times and I have tried to encourage him. I told him to “Tack Life” instead of so much death but he said sadly he couldn’t make any money doing that. Then I recently saw where he had posted a picture of himself kneeling down and praying with a child that was standing in front of him. Tack was wearing a t-shirt that had the Nazarene symbol on it and the website from I Am N, The Voice of the Martyrs. He also stated he was closing his shop, embracing his real name, Herman, and going into the ministry.

Thank you Lord Jesus for allowing me to see You working in others lives. Amen.