This is a picture of my tattoo. I drew it after MawMaw had passed away, after I had spent days in her hospital room reading the Bible to her - and for the first time in my life, to myself. I realized for the first time that my prayers going unanswered didn't mean that there was no God or that I wasn't loved by God. God doesn't choose for bad things to happen in the world - but when they do happen God sends the Holy Spirit to comfort us.
I taped the drawing to the bookcase on my desk in my dorm room and stared at it every day for a month before I committed to making it a permanent feature of my body. The dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit - a concept which was, at the time, fairly new to me. The grey ribbon symbolizes brain cancer. My tattoo reminds me that God released MawMaw of her suffering, that her spirit soared on to heaven, and that the Holy Spirit came to me in my time of need and mourning.
Whenever I feel the tingle of the Holy Spirit wash over me I imagine that its her - sending me a message from heaven - letting me know that even though my road to God was long and winding, I am heading in the right direction.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea,
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no
evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
John 14:26
26 But
the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my
name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your
remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
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