The Trip Tattoo

A year or so ago my wife and I took a trip to Israel.  We were traveling with a church group of approximately seventy people, but it was well organized.  We had a great time and got to know people we had only known as church acquaintances.  We look forward to a return trip one day.

At one of the evening meals we were seated with Martin and his family. I’ve changed his name to protect his identify and integrity as he was one our church’s newly elected deacons.  He and his family were young and energetic and seemed to be enjoying life.

While making small talk at our evening meal the topic of travel came up.  You know the conversation; is this visit your first trip to the Holy Land?  How many other trips have you been on? And so forth.

Why I don’t know, but when I had only Martin’s attention I was suddenly being led (my wife said I became possessed) to tell Martin about my wife’s “trip tattoos.”  You see, I remarked, “when my wife and I travel she always get a small tattoo to commemorate our trip.  Some wives buy things, but mine likes to get a trip tattoo.”

As his eyes widened, I began to elaborate.  She usually has the tattoo placed where it will not show, as she does not want to appear to be “one of those.”  Not that there is anything wrong with body tattoos from the world’s perspective.

While I continued to describe the various tattoos in terms of their size, shape, body location and significance to our trip I waited for the inevitable “why a tattoo” question.

He finally bit.  Looking him straight in the eyes, I said, “there are times when my wife and I want to relive the good times we have had on our many trips. It is fun to journey between and amongst the tattoos as I simply retrace our trips with my fingertips as we lie in bed together.   It is quite romantic and we laugh and giggle about all the great times we have had.  When we get older and can no longer travel we will still have memories.  But, my wife is running out of room so I am encouraging her to add a few extra pounds so that there might be a little more space for when we make additional trips.”

“Would you like another slice of cake or some more ice cream,” I turned and nonchalantly asked my wife. “I would be happy to get you some more,” I said. 

Turning back to Martin I continued. “I would recommend trip tattoos for all married couples,” I said, as he stared at me not knowing quite what to say.  Before I could get more graphic and erotic with my description, my wife apparently had overheard enough of my conversation with Martin to quickly remark, “quit telling those stories, someone is going to believe you.” I simple smiled, changed topics and took another sip of my coffee.

From that evening on and for the rest of the trip, whenever our paths crossed Martin would always smile and ask if my wife had gotten her trip tattoo.  I would always remark that we were still looking but she planned to get one before we departed Israel.  Maybe a small cross or menorah, I thought.

My wife still gives me that wifely look every time I ask to look at her trip tattoos.  “Dream on,” she says; “it will be a cold day before I live out that fantasy with you.” In reality my wife does not have any tattoos.

As I pondered on this story that is actually true except for the tattoos, of course, I’m amazed at the details provided in the laws and commandments written in the book of Leviticus. Having a tattoo is actually addressed in the book of Leviticus 19:28 (NIV), “Do not cut your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves, I am the Lord.”

It is not that tattooing is wrong in and of itself, it is simply that this was a pagan practice, and God wanted the Hebrews to be identifiably different; practices and customs of pagan society were strictly forbidden.  The commandments and laws were given to the Hebrew children as they were wandering in the desert to set them apart from the pagan Egyptian society they were leaving and the pagan societies they would encounter in the Promise Land.

The Hebrew children were never able, due to their own stubbornness, to adhere to the Law and sacrificial system instituted for their physical and mental health and for the forgiveness of their transgressions (called sins).

The God of the Bible gave the ultimate gift of Grace to his children by the sacrificial offering of Jesus Christ.  Freedom is found only in Jesus Christ with ones acceptance of his gift of salvation by a simple act of faith and belief.  Pray that God will call you to accept his Son as your Lord and Savior.

Your soul is the most important possession you possess.  Don’t cast it away by following worldly ambitions and desires.  Seek God and find the peace that surpasses all understanding. 

This entry was posted on 16. June 2009 at 02:13 and is filed under Man Gone Wild!. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.