Well, he says, taking a breath...
I do like that "Family Tattoo" that the brother of a brother here has shown us. My dad gave me some advice so long ago and I remember rejecting it even as it was heard. When I was considering taking classes at a local bible college, he pulled me aside and shared wisdom that had been given to him, saying, 'We are accountable for the according to the amount of light that we have.'
I knew that what he said was true. But he went on to say, "... that is why I would suggest that you don't attend bible college." And that is where I drew the line. The man who had taught me directly from his favorite quotes and sections of the bible who had encouraged me to "... be a man and not a sheep; think for yourself," and had gone on to say, "If I told you once, I've told you one thousand times..." and it's true. He had told me 1,000 times and I, as his son, had turned off the mind in response to his, "drilling it into my head" for the 1,000th time messages but with this new word, this word of wise? caution, I was now intrigued.
What is this? I should shun the light?
He reasoned with me that I should not follow the course that I felt I was drawn on and should find myself to be content where I was. There was some wisdom there and he exemplified a moderate God-fearing man, humble and loving of others on a balanced scale even as himself. No, my dad wasn't perfect and the advice did not go unquestioned. It merely went unheeded.
So then, as I was brought among others whose thirst for knowledge had brought them to the font of the Waterbook of our Lord and as we drew close to God, so also did God draw close to me. What has this to do with tat (or that?)... bear with me, I'm getting there. (Pardon the little wordplay puns, I do know they are the 2nd lowest form of humor). Sometimes I just can't resist.
The love that my dad had for others was indeed drilled into me and as he says, "A nut does not fall far from the tree." But there was something else about the love that our Father has for each of us that compels me to look closely to the witness that is given toward others. At once I am found to be a smoker, caught in a web, showing myself to be one of 'those' and exposing myself to the rightful charge of hypocrisy. Even as this is seen in me who knows to avoid the mere appearance of evil, I also know that I shall not condemn my brother, knowing that God is no respecter of persons and that He alone is our right and just and merciful God and Father. It is he who challenges me and says, "You who say, "do not murder, do YOU murder?" It is his comfort and solace that I take shelter in, knowing that the Name of Jesus is a mighty tower and able to protect and shield me from the storm.
It is also that very same spirit that guides me so that if I were to consider a tattoo similar to that "Family" tat that has been shown here? It is very much not in me to look askance or cast the first stone or to even consider my friend in disgust or any other such thing. No, indeed. If I were to think about getting a similar tattoo, it would not be the concern for the conscience of a weaker brother that would stop me. Yes, that would be taken into consideration but the real thing that would stop me is that I am a 60 year old man with a hairy body and I have what is called a beer belly, even though I don't drink beer. That's why.
Shhhh... don't tell, okay?