Today, I did something I thought I would never do. I got a tattoo. I know, some of you are probably very shocked. I’m almost 50 years old and I have no business getting a tattoo. I researched this subject by listening to podcasts by John Piper, reading articles by Relevant Christian on What the Bible Says about Tattoos, I talked to several pastors, I discussed it with my family, and most importantly, I prayed about it. Of course, my 83 year old mother wasn’t too thrilled.
This idea has been going on in my head for months and months. I knew what I wanted it to look like, what I wanted it to say, and where I wanted it. I called to make the appointment and they told me it would be a year! A YEAR! I sent a text to a friend of mine, Dawn McMillian and told her that it would be a year. I knew that she had an appointment for her soon to be 18 year old son as a surprise for his birthday. She sent me a text later and told me don’t worry about it, June 15 at 3:30. I said what? She said she took care of it, I was going with her family. Well, that took away a year of changing my mind!
Today, we went to the very reputable Ramesses’ and I went first. Jay was there to hold my hand, thankfully. It really hurt. Bad. All I could think about was how much Trey had gone through being poked and prodded with needles and this was nothing compared to what he suffered. I covered myself with his UT blanket that covered him when he died. Good thing because I hugged it tight.
After it was over, I went to sit in a chair and wait for J.D. to go. Immediately I began to think – what have I done! About that time, I got a text from Keith Cochran, our former youth minister. He attached a video from a men’s conference. It was a huge conference center filled with men singing 10,000 Reasons. I just smiled and sent him and text and told him that I had just gotten my tattoo! Jay had to leave and go to work and I stayed with the McMillian family.
I sat and sat, and as my leg was throbbing I watched J.D. get engraved on his arm UNASHAMED – Romans 1:16. He was in some pain too, by the way. Romans 1:16 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” His tattoo did not take as long as mine and before we knew it, we were on our way home, all bandaged up.
My thought was that I was not going to share the picture or the news of my tattoo until people saw it. As I was in the parking lot in Kroger, a sweet lady approached my car to ask if I was Lisa. I said yes and we carried on a conversation. She told me she read my blog and told me how strong I was. I told her I was not as strong as she thought I was and that I get very weary and worn.
On my way home from Kroger, I began to think, did Christ get weary and worn? Did he ever just want to stop sharing God’s word and hide? Then I began to think, what have I done to my leg? Just as I was pulling up to Peterson Lake, 10,000 Reasons came on the radio. I just began to cry uncontrollably. The verse that got me – “Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me, Let me be singing when the evening comes.”
Christ had imprints of the nails in his hands and side that he had to prove to Thomas in John 20. Thomas, after touching His hands and side said, “My Lord, My God!” Jesus said to Thomas, “Because you have seen me, you have believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”
I mentioned that story because most tattoos are personal. They tell a story, as do scars. Trey’s favorite movie was The Lion King and he was Simba~always. After Dr. Sara told him that he had cancer, the only thing that he tweeted was “Hakuna Matata” which means no worries. Trey had no worries. He knew his future and what God had in store for him. If anyone sees my tattoo, I will be able to tell the story of what God has done in my family, through Trey, and through James 1:2-3, with perseverance and faith, we have no worries.
Thank you J.D. McMillian, for I learned a lesson today. I am UNASHAMED. And I STILL have more to tell through God’s grace.
“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” James 1:2-3
living the life of christ 
That’s ridiculous. There are better and more mature ways to honor your son’s memory, that don’t involve a freaking tatoo from The Lion King. Yes you are almost 50, so act like it. Your son was 15, not you. Get a grip.
Can you respect her decision on her tattoo? Her son went through a ton and so did she. She thought it was a good way to remember him. She’s a great woman and someone that means a lot to me and to see you as immature as to leave a comment like this hurts.
You are absolutely right and I did apologize. My comment was rude and disrespectful.
Its beautiful Lisa! What an amazing tribute and reminder.
Kacey, You don’t know what she’s endured. Your comment was rude and immature. This is not your blog or your life. You should “get a grip.”
Lisa, you & your family are amazing. I read your blog on a regular basis & hope that I am raising my kids to love Jesus & to follow Him as you have done with Trey & Collin. Not many people know this but I also have tattoos – 12 to be exact. I think your tattoo is a touching tribute to your sons & to your faith. Be careful they are Addicting!!!!
It is very touching and beautiful Lisa! May it encourage and comfort your heart and the hearts of all who will ask you about it! There are many ways to honor our loved ones, and we all can and should pick the ones that sit best with our hearts, and not judge others hearts and choices! God will bless and cause each of our choices to work together for good, because of our love for Him and His love for us! How blessed we are to know Him and be known of Him! God Bless you & your family always!
Hey Lisa, What a tatoo!! Lion King is Trina’s favorite movie too. I heard someone say, “How can I tell them what their truth is, I just need to believe it.” This is your truth and your way of enduring through something that most of us will hopefully never have to endure. I praise God that with every day that you get through that He is there to guide and continue to love you and accept your every decisions. If God accepts your decisions, and still love you, who are we not to love you through your decisions (for some, even if they don’t agree with them). Allow your tatoo to bring about conversations that will allow you to tell your story and the love of a mother that has lost her son, and be a witness onto God. Be that unapologetic witness for Christ and continue to share your truth, they best way you know how.
Love it Lisa !! I was in my mid-50’s when I got mine so I can relate. There will always be naysayers and those that just don’t understand, and that’s ok. Love you girl !
I love it Lisa. You are an inspiration to call on our Lord to get us through the things we are too weak to endure. I think the tat is perfect.
Woohoo! Love it…….I’m scared to get one (ouch!) but I LOVE them! You go girl and you and many others be blessed as our Father brings you many to witness to of His love. ❤
I think it’s awesome!! A great tribute to both your children. We should all have No Worries. Also I hate reading comments like the one below. I can only imagine how great that makes you feel.
Some people do need to get a grip. If you can’t say anything nice don’t say anything at all.
I must apologize for the above comment. That was insanely rude and thoughtless. I guess I have some serious anger issues that I should resolve. You do what makes you happy. I am truly sorry.
Kacey, you are truly forgiven – child of God! If you ever need me, please email me at lerwin@bpjlaw.com! Blessings!
LOVE your tattoo!!! No worries with Jesus, for sure. Love you all.
That is an AWESOME tattoo!! I love it and I hope you smile every single time you look at it. I hope it encourages conversation from others and opens up doors for people to talk to you and for you to witness to them about your faith, your struggles, your joy in having Christ as your Savior. I hope your family and friends are supportive of the tattoo and the meaning behind it and, if not, so what! Hakuna Matata! 🙂
i love your boldness, lisa! tattoos can get a bad rap but so many people get them for good reasons. i am sure trey is loving that you did this!
LISA, your blog makes me cry. Not because this community misses Trey, but because your heart is poured out and is so transparent. I can’t imagine what you have gone through, even though your detailed blog shared the experience. My heart aches for you knowing how hard it was to let Trey go. Yes, he is with his maker and is whole again and worshiping our Lord God, but those left here on earth suffer with the emptiness you describe in your blog. We still pray as a family for you, Colin and Jay. Thank you for pouring your heart and soul out. You are definitely changing someone’s life.
Absolutely beautiful Lisa! Trey would love it, no doubt! This blog made me cry and smile so big at the same time. God bless you and your beautiful family always.
I love your tattoo. I got one when I was over 50. After everything you’ve been through, what people think about your tattoo I’m pretty sure is not even in your list of concerns. I decided after several years of being judged after Junior’s death, if people were talking about me or my children, they had a great subject. I think of you and your sweet family often and always enjoy your posts.
As a Christian woman, you shouldn’t have marked your body that way.. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Leviticus 19:28 says: ” Ye shall not, print any marks upon you.. “
As a Christian, Christ died for our sins and created a new covenant. We do not live under the old covenant. If you want to take that scripture in context, then you should not cut you hair, men shall not cut or shave, we shall not eat red meat. My body is the temple and I do not have to sacrifice animals to worship him any longer. God knows my heart and I am accountable to Him. Public will always say something about what I do because they have not walked in our shoes, and that’s ok!
You know I’ve never had anything I’ve ever wanted to get tattooed onto my body, but what you got made me cry. If I went through what you went through, I think I’d change my mind. G-d bless you and your family.
Thank you so much for the encouragement Carmen! That means the world to me! Trust me, I didn’t either! I was so NOOOOOO, you DON’T do that! But God has used it for so many blessings. It is such a personal decision and that is exactly what I was told by my ministers when I sought counsel. God can use ANYTHING for good!