Beloved

I did something today I never thought I would do: I got a tattoo! This might be quite a shock to some who know me. I’m actually a little surprised by it myself. But here’s the thing: I finally know who I am in a way that has impacted the deepest parts of my soul. And I don’t ever want to forget.

 I wear many hats and play a variety of roles. I am a wife and a mom. I am a sister and a daughter. I am an administrative assistant. I am a teacher, writer, mentor, and friend. I’m a giver. I pour myself out with the hope of making a difference, with the desire to point others to Christ. But before I am any of those things, I am a beloved child of God. By definition this means I am adored, cherished, treasured, prized. It means God declares me to be worthy of love. I am beloved…by the God of the universe! And I want to always remember that truth.  So everything about this is intentional – the decision, the word, and the placement. It is a visual, permanent reminder of who I am – Christ’s beloved.

 As His beloved, I am engraved on the palm of His hand. As His beloved, I am seated with Christ at the right hand of the Father. As His beloved, I am reconciled to the Father because of the wounds Jesus suffered on my behalf. As His beloved, I am lavished with His unending grace and renewed mercies each day. As His beloved, I am called to rest and receive before I am sent out to work and give. My role is simply to be-loved. And that is often harder for me than it would seem. As His beloved, I am chosen and sent out to make disciples and bear fruit in His name. As His beloved, I am His and I am loved.

 The pain of the needle could never even begin to compare to the pain of the nails, but I don’t ever want to forget all Jesus endured and conquered to secure my place in His family.

 What in the world is this love? How can it possibly be so, that the Father of heaven and earth would love me with such extravagance, going so far as to call me His own daughter?! And that is exactly who I am.

 I am forever His beloved.