Tattoos, Faith, Protocols, and Skill Set
Jessica Sunday
I'm not sure where to even begin with this blog entry, but I wanted to take the time to share the reason and meaning of why I got my first tattoo. As many are supportive about my recent tattoo, there are some who have their opinions as to why I just defiled the body God created me with. Before you judge me for mine, hear me out.
I want to start off by saying that if I am unsure about a certain conviction in my life, I tend not to act on it until I know why I believe what I believe. Some decisions or convictions about drinking, piercings, and tattoos are examples. Here, I will be discussing tattoos only. I did my research about tattoos and Christianity. I actually watched a YouTube video a year-or-so ago entitled, "Are Tattoos Sinful?" by Jefferson Bethke. I will post the link below. I believe Jeff explains it best Biblically in this video. He explains the passage in Leviticus that is often taken out of context by the ones who are against tattoos. He truly did such a good presentation and explanation that it cleared up a lot of my questions when it came to if it was okay for a Christian to get them. My conclusion for my personal walk with Christ was that it is totally fine; however, it does matter what your tattoo is. I wouldn't mark my body with profane tattoos. That is to say, my convictions may not be your convictions, and if you are against them, that is your conviction the Holy Spirit laid on your heart.
My tattoo is pictured below with a cross, heart rhythm, heart, a hymn title, and a date each symbolizing something very special and close to my heart. The cross symbolizes the moment I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. He nailed all my past, present, and future sins to that cross. He thought a sinner like me was worth dying for, and I will be forever grateful for that. If you don't know Him, He thought you were worth dying for as well. That was the most important decision I made in my life at the age of 10. Secondly, the cardiac rhythm is a symbol that healing is not linear. If there are no ups and downs in your life, you are flat lined, or in other words, you are dead. Thirdly, one of the attributes or gifts from God I possess is my heart for others. Often times, I am guilty of wearing my heart on my sleeve which can be a good asset or a bad evil. The dates is when my Great Grandmother passed away. That evening my mother and I were the only two family members left in the room when we began to sing, "It is Well with My Soul," After the last verse, she took her last breath. That was a bitter-sweet moment because was it 'really well with my soul?' or was it was comforting knowing that everything will be okay? At that moment, I decided that I wanted to be a nurse even though I desired to be a teacher my entire life and vowed I would never go into healthcare. Well, sometimes the Lord has a way of changing our plans, but as long as I was in the center of His will, that was more than okay with me...not that He was asking for my approval.
For the negativity I have received about the tattoo, I do not care. As many want to think they know my Great Grandmother and what she would have wanted, that humors me. To be honest, sure maybe she would not have liked it herself, but she also lived in a different time. I got it for myself to honor her memory not out of a spirit of "liberation" or rebellion. Also, "people are not going to know or care about what it means." Usually people ask what tattoos mean if they see one, and if they don't ask or care that's okay because I didn't get it for others, I got it for myself. Next, someone said, "they will just see a tat and add it to how they see you." If they view me poorly based on having a tattoo, they have a heart issue that needs addressed.
There are people who feel that nurses should not have tattoos because it's a "high" profession. As it may be a 'high' profession, it's often the most under thanked, exhausting, bullied, etc. profession. It's rewarding, and I am glad to be able to serve my patients; however, if a protocol is going to tell me to cover my tattoos, I will do my best to follow it. Do patient's fear nurses in tats? Do hospital policy makers think it interferes with my skill set, knowledge, critical thinking, and care I provide to my patients? No ink deep enough could come close to interfering with the care I provide to my patients day-in and day-out.
Today, I wore my mermaid tattoo cover to work and about two to three people thought my cover was my tattoo. So, tell me again how sleeves do not draw as much attention than the actual tattoo or how many people wanted to see my tattoo and know the meaning...
So, here's a shoutout to Jeremy who is talented, and gave me a special tattoo to remember my Great Grandmother by, my faith, and my first job as a cardiac nurse. Like he told me before I go my tattoo, "You work at your job 40 hours a week, you're in your body forever."
Until next time, The Tatted Nurse
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Romans 10:13
- "Are Tattoos Sinful?" https://youtu.be/rN3voADV14Y
- Tattoo shop: Needles of Fury in Natrona Heights, PA http://www.noftattoo.com/
