Inked

The stories behind my tattoos

I know a lot of people who disagree with tattoos, and that’s okay! I also know that I was born into a generation that, according to USA Today in September 2017, "about 38 percent of young people ages 18 to 29 have at least one tattoo." Currently, as I write this blog post, I have two very special tattoos and plan to get more in the future. This is why:

People can, and will, fight me on this point, however, I believe that tattoos should have meaning. I get that not everyone agrees with that statement so let me change it up a little bit, I believe that MY tattoos should have a deep meaning. In fact, the two that I have currently already hold significant meaning in my life and allow me to share a piece of my story with anyone who asks and is willing to listen. The stories I get to tell through my tattoos point to my walk with my Heavenly Father and enables me to share my testimony.

On September 3, 2016, I went out with a few friends and permanently put James 4:7 & 10 on my inner bicep. James 4:7 reads, “therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.” And James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” In June of 2015, my mentor gave me these verses to commit to memory.

I had been struggling with some very prominent sins in my life that I felt like I couldn’t shake free of, so Laura told me that every time I would even think about continuing on with that sin, I should replace it with these verses. Here is where I become very vulnerable and let you in on my life. The biggest sin that I struggle with on a daily basis is my pride. Pride comes in many shapes and forms, and for me, I wanted attention; I wanted to be recognized for my talents and the things that I did. When I finally realized that the only reason I can do the things I can do well is because God has given me the talents and the opportunities to do them, that's when, I started the journey to giving Him the praise and glory for it all. The more I took to heart James’ words of submitting all my thoughts, worries, concerns, doubts, fears and insecurities, the more I felt the Devil lose his stronghold. In my battle with pride, I eventually realized that nothing on this Earth can amount to what’s in store for me in Heaven. Within these realizations, I stopped worrying about my desires and started thinking about how I could glorify God with the things He has already blessed me with. Now, with every song I sing, with every key I play, and every photo I take, every story I write, it all comes from Him and I choose to live my life according to His plan and purpose for me; choosing daily to give Him the honor and praise for every step along the way. That doesn’t mean that my pride doesn’t get in the way from time to time, it’s still something I struggle with. However, I put these verses on my arm to strengthen me and remind me, every day, why I really do what I do and who I do it for.

Recently, I got my second tattoo on my ankle. For many of you reading this post, this is your first time seeing it. There are two reasons why I decided to get this tattoo and an even more important reason for why I got it when I did. A while back, I stumbled upon Isiah 6:8 while doing my quiet time. I can’t tell you how many times I had passed by this piece of scripture before, but that day is when I felt God pulling at my heart. For those who aren’t familiar with this verse and for those who may need a refresher, Isiah 6:8 says, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: Who should I send? Who will go for Us? I said: Here I am. Send me.”

This brings me to reason number one of why I got this tattooed on my body. On Wednesday, August 5, 2015, in Glorieta, New Mexico, I answered God’s calling and surrendered my life to the ministry. Even then I wasn’t sure where He would take me, and still today I’m not 100% sure where in the ministry He’s going to lead me. However, little did I know that night that I was praying Isiah 6:8, saying “ya know what, Lord, I don’t have the first idea of where you’re going to take me and how you are going to choose to use me, but send me and I’ll go.” Fast forward to September 30, 2017, when I sat on my grandparent's couch, in the midst of gutting my home after Hurricane Harvey and read an email from Disney saying they were still taking applications for the Spring 2018 Disney College Program. Up to this point, I had sworn to just about everyone I knew that I was NOT going to apply for the program because I didn’t feel as though God was leading me in that direction. Yet, at this moment I felt conflicted and didn’t know what to do. So, I closed my eyes and I asked God what He wanted me to do. I simply told Him, “Father God, if it is Your will and Your plan for me to go to Disney, then send me and I’ll do Your work there. But if it is Your will for me to stay right here in Orange, Texas, then I will gladly stay and continue to do Your work here.” You see, I gave up my desires in order to let God take control and in the end He very quickly answered me, because, on October 5, 2017, I received an email stating I was accepted into the Disney College Program. And, because the ONLY reason I am currently living in Orlando, FL and working for Walt Disney World is through God’s hand at work in my life. I felt as though I needed to have “Send me” tattooed on my ankle as a constant reminder of why I am here. I am walking around WDW as a cast member and a guest because this is where I am meant to be. I thought hard about the design of this tattoo. The words were typed out on my personal typewriter and ends with a cross instead of a period. The cross didn’t mark the end of Christ’s witness to His people, it marked the beginning of endless grace, mercy and unconditional love for us. Just as Christ, my work doesn’t end with me simply saying “send me,” it marks the beginning of me sharing what He has done for us and helping lead His children.

- Morgan