Tattoos & God

I know you are reading the title and thinking, "What in the world could these 2 things have in common?" Honestly, I didn't think they had ANYTHING in common myself--that is until Saturday night.
What originally started as a date night with dinner and a movie turned into dinner and tattoos. Yes, we are those kind of hoodlums that feel the need to ink ourselves occasionally. We entered the tattoo parlor (yes Mom, it was sterile and very clean!) and began to describe what we were wanting. The guys told us it couldn't be done and asked if we were interested in anything else.
*Let me interject that what we had asked for can actually be accomplished, but that's for another blog at another time*
So, sure! Why not get something else while we are there and in the position to do so. We picked our designs and were inked. Me first, of course. The only thing was that John didn't realize it was going to take FOREVER to get his finished. I feel for the guy, really.
The tattoo artist taking care of John this fine evening was also named John. He was quizzing my hubby about the significance of what we had originally asked for--not what was being added now--and we told him. He was impressed that it was something to do with Christianity. In fact, that opened a floodgate of conversation. He proceeded to tell us about how he goes to Trinity Fellowship too, and that he went on the men's retreat back in September. He then began to tell us about how he is sadly in the beginnings of a divorce. Something about needing love to sustain a relationship--then he was quiet. He said that unfortunately the church was overbooked in the marriage counseling department, and he didn't know what else he could do. I felt so sorry for him. I made mention of the Marriage Today program, and how that truly helped us mend our marriage. He listened, but it didn't seem like he had much hope left.
By the end of the night, my heart was aching for him and his wife. Needless to say, he didn't completely finish John's tat, so he will have to go back. We are praying that in the mean time, God will help us find the words...or the SOMETHING...to help him out. My first lesson learned here--don't ever judge a book by its cover. You may never know where or when God will use you, and you can't have a judgmental heart when it comes to the affairs of the Father. There are more lessons to learn I'm sure.
I know that you are all wondering what it is we inked on ourselves this time, but those pictures will have to wait as well. We are still under construction. :) This is a story that will end with:
to be continued...