You know, I posted some pictures of my most recent tattoo (11/2009) and the question was asked of me why? It wasn't until I began to type that I was able to put into words what I never have before. 
"i am going to show my age here. but what is it with tatoos ? I dont get it. I am trying to get it. truly I am....... they are permanent basically... so you better really love it. talk to me, girl."
This was my response:
"Well, FOR ME, I can't speak for anyone else, each one of my tattoos tell a story. Some people do it because it's the "in" thing...not me. The first one I got was because I'd just come out of something very major in my life that I hadn't dealt with and finally had to face it (that spanned over a 20 yr. period) that I know the Lord brought me out of and I never wanted to forget it. The butterfly on my shoulder was done because of (2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.) to serve as a reminder that no matter what I am always and forever a new creation. The Daddy's Girl on my right shoulder is because of how very, very much I see the Father, Heavenly Father, as my Daddy and I am His girl. He loves, protects, carries, and loves me always. If you look at it closely, the girl is kneeling and praying it. It opens a lot of doors for me to talk to regular, everyday people like you and me about the fact that He's not some unreachable big guy in the sky ready to strike us dead-He's our Daddy, our Heavenly Papa and we are not just His creation, but we were born for relationship with him as His children. (Romans 8:15-17 This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him!-The Message Bible) The one on my wrist which I just had done in November serves as a reminder to me that there is nothing I will go through, no cross I will ever have to bare, that compares to what Jesus suffered on the cross. As a follower of Christ I must remember that this world, this life of mine is but a vapor, a wisp of smoke, a comma in the book of all eternity. It's easy to lose sight of that. (Mark 8:24-"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.) There have been some "crosses" the last couple years that threatened to overtake me, both emotionally, spiritually, and physically, but He brought me through. It's not right for everyone. I am a very visual, artsy person, so that's why I call my tattoos my scars that tell the story of my life and what He has brought me through so that He may be glorified. Some people choose to do it through singing, writing (which I also do), acting, preaching, teaching, etc. But for me this is just one way I chose to "express" His goodness and faithfulness. This is probably much more than you needed to know, but I wanted to share why. I'm sure there are many more to come."
