inked.

FAITH. this word. it encompasses so much. according to hebrews, faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. to me, faith is not only this but something so much more. to me, faith can encompass one's entire Christian experience from start to finish. So many Christians have coined the term regarding talking about their "faith", which to me, basically illustrates their personal walk with the Lord. Whenever i'm asked to "share my faith" it's usually in the context of where i am at, where i have been, and where i am going spiritually. So i begin to talk about my strengths and weaknesses. Where i have experienced tremendous growth, and where i have hit my valleys. I talk about great people of the bible who demonstrated great faith by abiding in God's Word, setting an example others, or commanding great armies to conquer land. In my generation, this word, faith, is used quite frequently to describe someone's "spiritual status." we talk about people's faith as if to scale them on a greater and lesser level.

LOVE. this word. i believe it encompasses even more than we can ever understand. I have been taught that love is a choice, not a feeling. it is a verb not an adjective. love is an action. in involves ACTIVELY being intentional and caring, but above all, considering others needs more highly than your own. The expression of love can come in many different forms. a hug, a kiss, a smile, a wink. but the best expression that i would know that i truly love someone is by CHOOSING to commit. through thick and thin. this is the love that, despite the circumstances, through better or worse, through rich or poor, until death, will CHOOSE to last forever.

i believe in love. and i believe in faith. and there is one reason.

my mom.

my mom is the epitome of these two words. i know she will never, ever have any clue the example that she has have shown me and aaron, but she is the best example of these two words this planet will ever see. (besides jesus of course :)) the way she has demonstrated her faith, her relationship with the Lord, her fervor for knowing Him more has been a testimony to me. The encouragement that she has given me to pursue wholeheartedly MY relationship with the Lord through writing me notes, giving me cards, sending me bible verses, sharing her thoughts with me, praying WITH me, but most of all FOR me. i noticed. and now that i'm getting older i can see the stages of growth that she has gone through. i can see the peaks and the valleys spiritually. and i know she's not done, and she will have bad days. but her example to me has been phenomenal. she is the best demonstration of love anyone could ever have. To be in my mother's shoes, i don't know if i could've done it. her perseverance, her hard work, her tears, her agony - we were SUCH a tough family, but she loved us more and more each day. there are so many things that if i could i would go back and change. things that i've said to her, the way that i treated her. if i only had a clue as to what i was saying and doing and some of the hurtful things i have done, i would go back and change things in a heart beat. she consciously committed to my dad for better or worse. she consciously committed to me and aaron through thick and thin. if i could be half the woman and mother and wife that my mom is, i will have accomplished the world.

a while ago, i asked her to write down those two words in her handwriting. she asked me why and i passed it off like it was nothing. well, by now she should've known that i am always up to no good, so never take ambiguity for an answer. so i did it. as you can see, below is a picture of my new tattoo. gently and delicately written are her words, permanently etched in my skin, in honor of her. her example, her story, and her legacy deserves to be told so i am telling it.yay for the most remarkable woman on the face of the planet.