On Wednesday, July 13, 2016, I did something that I never thought I would do. I got a tattoo (drops mic for a second). For anyone who knows me, you know this is extremely out of my comfort zone and it will probably shock a lot of people I know -- specifically, my family (Sorry, Grandma). Although I am legally of age, I did ask my parents’ permission. While my mom was not very happy, she said that she would support me. My dad, however, said that if I wanted the mark of the beast on my body then I could go ahead. So, I did.

Now, the general public has this exaggerated stereotype towards people with tattoos. Almost as if this marking on your body somehow strips away everything you’ve accomplished, every good deed you’ve ever done, every life you have ever positively changed; you’re basically shunned to Hell if you mark your body. However, this is simply not true and for those of you who believe this, please take your ignorance and close-mindedness somewhere else. If you believe that I am defying the Lord because I have marked my body as it says not to do in Leviticus 19:28, then whip out your dusty Bible underneath your numerous magazines and take a look at Matthew 7: 1-5. After that, read James 4: 11-12. If you’re still under the impression that getting a tattoo is the worst possible sin one could commit, then please do a double-take of yourself in the mirror and repent on the fact that you have probably cursed numerous times today as told not to in Ephesians 4: 29. Oh, remember the other night where you got drunk? Well, Ephesians 5: 18 warns against that. Let’s also not forget the premarital sex (1 Corinthians 6: 18-20) or the time you disobeyed your parents’ wishes (Colossians 3: 20).

Two years ago, I would have never imagined getting a tattoo; heck, not even a year ago. I was stuck in my comfort zone. This bubble that wanted to please -- my parents, my friends, my boyfriend at the time, everybody who knew me. I had the reputation of the “good girl.” I am not saying that a tattoo makes me any less of a good girl, but I do believe that it helps strengthen the argument that tattoos and piercings do not define a person. My new marking and my three earring holes in both of my ears surely do not define me, but they are a part of me. A nose ring does not define my best friend and a belly-button piercing does not define another one of my friends. It’s time to take a look at what deserves our attention and what does not -- I can assure you that tattoos and piercings are the least of our worries.

I want my tattoo to be a part of who I am -- that’s why I got it. On the side of my left ribcage are the words “My beautiful walk.” When I was 16 years old, I was baptized. My preacher told me that this would be my “most beautiful walk in the world.” I now walked with Jesus; however, I did not walk with Him hand in hand as I should have at the time. I did not know what it was like to put my trust fully in Him and I also did not know what it was like to seek Him and only Him in a time of need; not until a few months ago. When I say that I was not ready to be baptized, I truly mean it. I had not known true struggle, heartbreak, and rejection. I can honestly say that Jesus came last in my life a few months ago. How horrific! How could I have done that to my Creator? How could I have forsaken Him and nearly forgotten Him? I know now what it is like to fully depend on Him and boy, am I glad that I do! What a beautiful ride it’s been and will continue to be.

My tattoo serves as a reminder that I am STILL and ALWAYS will be on my most beautiful walk in the world. I walk hand in hand every day with my true love, my refuge, my Creator. When I forget this, all I have to do is look down and remember who I am, who I have next to me, and who I am called to be. I am a daughter and follower of Christ. And yes, I have a tattoo.