Is That a Tattoo?

My son Ron and I sat on the sofa and talked, warm fingers of sun oozing through the curtains. I turned to face him. I like eye contact, especially with my kids. Were those navy blue robot feet stepping out just below the hem of his shirt sleeve? I worked to keep my voice calm; lowered it two notches. "Son, is that a tattoo?"

He lifted his sleeve to unveil the splendid artwork. There stood a smiling robot sporting a necktie, a pen peeking over the top of his shirt pocket. One of Ron's happiest creations, drawn several years earlier when he was a carefree high school student.

But now it was on his upper arm. Forever. "When did you get this done?"

"God's Tattoo," one of the drawings Ron did for my book
Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top

He smiled, patient and calm like usual. "About six months ago." 

I sighed. "I hate to even ask you how much it cost."

"A hundred dollars."

I felt my heart flatten. "Oh, son. I just hope it doesn't ruin your chances of finding a good job." 

Again his patient smile. He didn't even have to work at keeping his voice even. "I thought long and hard about this, Mom, and I feel I can live with Robot Executive as a permanent part of my body. I'm really not worried about job interviews. I'm an artist*after all."

I had to agree, even though I hated the idea of marking up his lovely skin with a needle and ink. This was my baby boy. Well, he had been twenty-some years before. 

Several years after Robot Executive's arrival on Ron's shoulder, I noticed a second tattoo

on his other arm. It was a simple drawing he'd found in one of his dad's old clip art books. It showed a hand gripping a rubber stamp that read "APPROVED," which had been imprinted on the surface below it. 

I stared at it for a minute before speaking. "Wow. I think you prophesied on this one, Ron." 

"Oh no, Mom, I just thought this was kinda funky and cool. There is nothing deep about it." 

But I--the Mama--knew better. I recalled all his years of self-doubt, asking the Lord for direction in his career, wondering where he fit in the whole puzzle of life. Now it seemed he had come to a place of accepting himself and the gifts God had placed in him. He was embracing the Lord's approval of Ron Levellie as a person, not for the laughs he could elicit from others or the good deeds he could do. But for himself. Made in God's image. Approved. It was more than just a fun piece of art stuck on his upper arm. 

It was a tattoo of grace.

At least, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. It helps me accept the tattoos on my son, and it helps me see that if we are in Christ, we're approved by God, regardless of our differing tastes and styles. So there. 

Do you think we unwittingly make statements about ourselves by choices we make? Have you ever changed your mind about something, like I did about my son's tattoos? 

*Ron has created all the drawings in three of my four published books. Please email me at jeanettelevellie@gmail.com if you'd like to hire him to illustrate your next book!

What Are You Afraid of?

Often of late when I get my feelings hurt or become angry more than the situation merits, the Lord prompts me to ask myself, "What are you afraid of?"

If I perceive that the reason my husband interrupts me is because he thinks what I have to say is unimportant, am I afraid he thinks I'm stupid? Or am I afraid I truly am stupid? 

If I get my dander up because my mother seems to imply that I handled something in an inept manner, am I afraid of her opinion of me? Or am I afraid that I am inept? 

If my books don't sell well, am I afraid that I others will view me as a poor writer? Or am I afraid I really am a poor writer? 

I don't know. 

This is why I believe Jesus nudges me to explore why I 
overreact to certain people and situations so vehemently; why my emotions spin out of control when someone pokes a wound I thought was healed. Seeing that it's still open and very sore, not healed at all, embarrasses me. But it also makes me want to know: why hasn't it healed? And what am I afraid of? 

What are you afraid of? Are you willing to invite Jesus into your wounds, to explore with you the roots of your pain and fears? Do you believe he can and will heal you? 

If I'm gutsy and real, I can say that I'm afraid of more than I'd like to admit. And I am willing to ask the God who loves me to walk with me into the pain. I believe healing awaits me there, in His embrace and through His Words.

That's why I never quit asking myself,
"What are you afraid of?"

A surefire way to predict winter weather

The Wooly Worm Report

drawing copyright Ron Levellie

Did you know there is a surefire way to predict winter weather? According to early American folklore, you can forecast the harshness of an upcoming winter by examining the brown band around a wooly worm’s middle. The thinner the brownish red band, the harsher winter will be.  

flikr image

But I have my own methods.  As we go on a walk up the country lane near our home at Nevins and I spot a wooly worm scooting across the pavement, I’ll note its coloration. If it’s dark brown or black, representing the bare earth, I predict a mild winter with no snow. If it’s orange—a happy, warm color—I maintain the upcoming winter will be warmer than usual. And if the wooly worm is white or tan, I report that winter will be fast and fun, with snowfall only on Christmas Eve.

Scientific? Hardly. Accurate? Rarely. But my overly biased wooly worm reports make us laugh every time. And giggles help us get through the long, freezing months better than gripes.  I imagine even the wooly worms laugh. At me.

I may not be able to predict the weather, but I’m convinced that the Apostle John predicted accurately when he told us Jesus is coming soon. I hope you and I will spend eternity together with Him, in that lovely city where every day is bright, and every wooly worm gives a sunny report.

The above is an excerpt from my book The Heart of Humor: Sixty Helpings of Hilarity to Nourish Your Soul, a combination of funny stories and articles on how humor helps.

Please join me this week on

Karen Lange’s blog, Write Now, for a

chance to win an autographed copy of

my newest book,

Touchable God: Finding the Lord’s Friendship Through Prayer.

I Repent!

When people tell me:

• they are sad about,
• they wonder why, and
• they refuse to accept 

my comment that Touchable God might be my last book,

I want to do something drastic. So . . .

I repent!

Yes, we've had a hard year in our family, my faith has been tested to its breaking point and I don't feel like I have another book in me. But I'm still young, right? And I want to give God a vote. So I will say that if the Lord wills and if he gives me ideas, I will write and publish books until Jesus returns to get us out of here.

Speaking of Touchable God, the winner of an autographed copy from last week's contest is Diannah! Congratulations, Diannah. I hope you enjoy this peek into my prayer life and the prayers for friends in crisis.

Have you had to repent lately? Did you feel better afterwards? 

Win My Newest--and Probably Last--Book!

I Never Planned This

When I wrote Touchable God: Finding the Lord's Friendship Through Prayer, I never planned it to be my last book. And who knows? God may nudge me to write another. He loves to surprise us, doesn't He?

               This week I'm giving away a signed copy of Touchable God to one blessed winner. Here is a short description:

“Every Christian longs for an intimate walk with the Lord, talking openly with their Heavenly Father and hearing from Him. Touchable God addresses this longing, helping you find a joy-filled relationship with the Lord instead of a joyless religion. 

"In Section I Jeanette shares stories from her own journey in prayer. Written in her warm and casual style, these candid glimpses into Jeanette's tests and trials will help you believe the Lord's willingness to be involved in every area of your life. 

"Section II consists of Jeanette's bold, often poetic prayers for friends in crisis. You need answers, and the Scripturally-based prayers will help you approach God's throne to find them. Touchable God gives caring friends, family members, and ministry leaders specific prayers for others' needs and guides you in praying for yourself during crises.”

Your cup of tea?

If this book sounds like your cup of tea, or you know someone who you think will benefit from  Touchable God, please leave a comment--anything about prayer, books, or friends--at the end of this post along with your email address. 

         
I will choose a winner on Sunday, Sept. 4 and post his or her name here on Tuesday, Sept. 6.