I didn’t mean to stare, but I couldn’t help it.
After exchanging a quick smile, she continued placing grocery bags into her cart, while my eyes glanced back at her arms.
Tattoos covered every inch of skin from her tiny shoulders to her delicate wrists. Images of hearts, religious symbols, quotes and names of those I imagined she loved over the years. Woven together in a tapestry of flesh and ink.
Some of the designs had faded with time, while others popped with fresh, bold colors. Forever inscribed with permanent ink from a tattoo machine…
{Hi Friend, I’m so glad you stopped by. The above excerpt is from a devotion I have running at Proverbs 31 Ministries today.}
If mentioning the word tattoos has you envisioning all sorts of craziness, feel free to click HERE so you can read the entire devotion. Be sure to come back so we can continue the conversation.
If you’re stopping by for the first time or clicked over from the P31 site, let me give you a warm hug and southern welcome! I’ve been praying for you today and hoping you’d stop by so we could connect.
Did you know that one of my all-time favorite verses is Isaiah 49:14-16? I’m sure you didn’t, but here it is anyway:
But Zion said, ‘The LORD has abandoned me, and my God has forgotten me.” “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or have no compassion for the child of her womb?
Even these mothers may forget; But as for me, I’ll never forget you! Look! I’ve inscribed you on the palms of my hands, and your walls are forever before me.
I love these verses because they display a beautiful picture of God’s love and faithfulness for His children.
In these verses, we get to take a peak and see a dialogue unfolding between Zion {the people of Israel} and God. You can almost feel the tone of fear and rejection in their words, “The LORD has abandoned us … forgotten us.”
Take notice of God’s response.
He doesn’t scold or condemn the Israelites. Instead God compares His love for Zion as the kind of love a mother has for her precious child. A mother who sings and rocks as she holds her baby ever so closely while nursing. A mother who goes to great lengths to protect her baby for 9 months during pregnancy.
And, yet, the LORD goes even further in His response to Zion. “Even these mothers may forget … I will never forget you!
I love the exclamation point, don’t you? It shows God’s passion and devotion to His people. This is a biblical truth we need to know and remember.
I’ll never forget you!
Maybe you’re dealing with some painful circumstances today and think God has forgotten about you. That He’s abandoned you and doesn’t care what you are going through. Do you sometimes feel deserted, or forsaken, left behind and unwanted?
Let me assured you by the authority of God’s Word. Although people may abandon us – people we love and have a life history with – God will never abandon us.
The fact that you’re still reading this post tells me God has directed you here, for this moment in time, so that He can remind you of His love and reassure you that He will never forget you. Never.
You are always on God’s mind. He thinks about you 24/7. He has tattooed (inscribed, engraved, etched} your name in the palms of His hands. His awareness of you is constant {Psalm 89:1-2}.
Take a moment and try to imagine how many grains of sand there are in the world. Got a number in mind? Did you know God’s thoughts of you outnumber the grains of sand {Psalm 139: 17-18}?
That’s how often God thinks of you!
God loves you so much that He gave His One and Only Son, Jesus, handing Him over to death, so that through His resurrection, you could receive the gift of eternal life. {John 3:16}.
Jesus paid the price for our sin. He redeemed us because He loves us.
I know you’re busy today, but will you take a few minutes right now to pause and pray? Do you sense God drawing you close to Him? Tell God what’s on your heart.
Is something bothering you? Are you holding back a secret? Do you have a question you long to ask Him, but are afraid to express? He can handle it. His arms are big and wide and ready to embrace you. He will wait patiently for you.
This moment is sacred. The Lord is near. Pause and pray. Then, be still and wait for His response.
He loves you and longs to hear you say, “I love You, too”.
Feel free to leave a prayer request in the comment section below. Share a fresh perspective you’re received from this post or from God’s Word this week.
I can’t wait to read your comments!
Julie says
Thank you so much for sharing this wonderfully profound and beautiful story! It touched my heart deeply. I have a friend with several tattoos and she recently became baptized. She now has them inside and out! This story spurred my to send this her. God bless you and may He continue to use you to bless others, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Leah says
Julie, I’m so excited for you friend! Thank you for passing along my post/devotion to her. You are a very good friend. 🙂 Blessings, Leah
Jules says
Thanks for this message. It really spoke to me this morning. It’s comforting to know that God is always with me. Please pray for my daughter who is going through a rebellious stage right now and is almost giving in to peer pressure.
Leah says
Jules, I”m so glad you enjoyed my devotion and want you to know that I’m praying for your daughter today. Trusting that God will draw her to His side as your prayers continue to echo in His ears. Blessings, Leah
Pam says
I loved this. I came over from Prov 31 email and just wanted to say thank you.
Leah says
Pam, I’m so glad you stopped by. Thank you for leaving a comment and saying hello. 🙂
Blessings!
Angela says
Thank you for this devotion. It touched me to the core. I know God’s love for mere is an issue for me. I’m always asking God, under my breath, if he loves me. The things I’ve done and the painful circumstances have caused mere doubt.
When I had depression my ex husband had an “inappropriate” relationship with his 12 year old student at age 32. It wasn’t documented, but there whole school knew. Because I didn’t have the money to hire a P.I. I lost temporary custody of my children. He married that student of his and now my children don’t really know God anymore. All I ever wanted to be, was a stay at home Mom and wife and when I remarried I wasn’t able to haveanymore
Leah says
Angela, thank you for being so honest about your struggles and entrusting your story to me. I’m so sorry for what you’ve been through and I am praying for you {and your children} today. Angela, God’s love for you is not based on what you’ve done or haven’t done. His love for you is based on who He is. God is love and He created you with love in mind. His mercies are new every morning, so each day we have a clean slate to start fresh in our relationship with Him. God created you in His own image. He thinks your beautiful! Continued prayers, Leah
Alicia says
Leah, I LOVE the idea of God’s word being tattooed on my heart! When my kids were little, we used to press Silly Putty on their favorite Bible verses in their children’s Bible and watch as the words showed up on that crazy little blotch putty. It was just a goofy reminder that when we press God’s Word on our hearts, it leaves an imprint. Now, instead of Silly Putty, I’ll have to grab some fun washable tattoos and talk to my little ones about those cool “hidden tattoos” we can have:) Thanks for inspiring me today, friend.
Leah says
Alicia, that sounds like so much fun! What a creative and memorable way to teach your children the Word of God. When you get to heaven I wonder if the Father will hand you a glob of Silly Putty and little press-on tattoos and says to you, “Well done, Alecia. You were so faithful with those I entrusted to you.” 🙂 Miss you, friend! Leah
Donna b says
I remember the very first time you shared the question on FB about feeling unnoticed and not being seen. Loved it then. Needed it then. Need it today! Love where God has taken our friendship & how he provides those gentle reminders through His words and friends!
Love ya!
Leah says
Me too, Donna. Life just wouldn’t be complete without you! Hugs, Leah
Nancy says
Just need a little boost. I know God is always thinking of me, I just need some redirection and motivation to make changes needed. I will try to take the next action I need to and wait on his plan. Thanks!
Leah says
Nancy, I’m praying for you today. Sometimes it seems easier to just stay where we are instead of making the changes we know are necessary. I want to encourage you to trust God with every step you take and rest in the assurance that He promises to direct your path (Psalm 25). Sweet Blessings, Leah
Juli says
Thank you for all your insighs and helping us to look at things spiritually, as i pass these on to friends, i pray it helps them, too. I wish I could lie here in bed all day, reading these amazing reminders of how to handle these earthly challenges. I know God wants me to go out and help others to see things His Way…..
Leah says
Juli, thank you for sharing your comments and sending out my devotion to your friends. I’m praying God will speak specifically to each of them through the words I’ve shared. Sweet Blessings, Leah
Heather says
Thank-you for your devotional on Proverbs 31 and your blog. That reminder of God NEVER leaving me and that HIS LOVE for me is real has been a real blessing this morning.
Isaiah 49:16 is such an encouraging verse! I am going to write it down and memorize it for one of my tattoos on my heart!
Leah says
Heather, thank you for sharing! Reading your comments brought a big smile to my face. 🙂
Sweet Blessing,
Leah
Carol says
Tattoos on my heart! What an awesome picture of how God works to keep us to Himself – and work He must since we are so prone to wander. That just makes me smile and be filled with joy as I contemplate that He has placed His Word and His promises right there for me to know and remember when troubles come.
Leah says
Carol, God loves you so much that I truly believe you bring a smile to His face every time you think of Him. He is always thinking about you! Sweet Blessings, Leah
sarah says
Iowa loved the part where you sais of I asked Jesus if he has a tattoo he would show you his hand and here would your name. I stopped and read it twice as tears began to form in my eyes. What a beautiful reminder of of the gift of the cross. Im reading Lisa’s Am I Messing Up my kids and she talks about the scars of stretch marks and how we should wear them proud because Jesus chose to keep his scars from the cross. We really do have God who truly unconditionally loves us.
Thank you for this devotional this morning.
Leah says
Sarah, I’m so glad you enjoyed my post today and love how it reminded you of Lysa’s story about her stretch marks. I remember reading it for the first time and how grateful I was for the new perspective it gave me as I reflected on Jesus’ marks for me.