This Valentines Day I asked for this tattoo! I have been planning the theme of it for about two years now. This was definitely not a spur of the moment wild hair idea.
The verse inside the crown of thorns is Ephesians 1:13, the Crown of thorns represents the Seal described in this verse:
[13] In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
[14] Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
I also like to include verse 14 because it makes it very clear that Jesus paid for me! I am His possession!
The word Adopted signifies that I am adopted into God's family because of my profession of faith.
I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour on December 8,1992 and that is why the date is at the bottom.
Romans 8:15
[15] For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
[16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
About the experience!
While I was having the tattoo done at first it was like, YEP, it hurts but not real bad. I can handle it for 2 hours.
It seemed like it had been a while so I looked at my watch... 15 minutes! That's it.. it was going to be a long hour and 45 minutes before this was over!!!
YES IT HURST....
More time passes... I was talking to Robin and Bill who were with me.. They kept asking me how I was doing and I was like, " I am OK"
At that point I stated, " He is about done with the outline, right?"
Jimmy, the guy working on my tattoo, said "NOPE, not even close!"
So after about 45 min I was finally getting used to the level of pain I was like' OKAY... half way there! I can do this.
During the first half I was thinking about how Jesus took my whippin for my sin and how this pain does not compare to the pain Jesus suffered for me on His Crucifixion day so I could spend eternity with Him!
He PAID for my Adoption! So every time I felt like it was too much pain I was reminded of God's Love for me - John 3:16
[16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believer in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
When Jimmy started filling in the colors ... that was when I was like "WOW".. Now that HURTS... I just kept telling myself, "IT IS WORTH THE PAIN"
Again I say.. The pain I was experiencing was NO WHERE, NO WHERE near the pain and suffering Jesus took on for me.
I do wonder this though:
Did Jesus see us every time he was struck with the whips, chains & what ever else they did to Him?
Did He say every time, "IT IS WORTH THE PAIN"?
When the roman soldiers nailed Him to the cross did my Jesus say, "YOU ARE WORTH THE PAIN CAROLYN JOHNSTON!"?
When God sent Him to walk this path of destruction, was He motivated by His desire to please and glorify His Father which is in Heaven?
I have to say that this has been an inspirational experience for me.
I am inspired today, even when things hurt or get so hard to press on!!!
Philippians 3:14
[14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
When my path gets tough I have to press on, I have to he mindful of all the Orphans who have not yet been Adopted into God's family!
WORTH IT!!!
