[photos by the fabulous Alison Holcomb]
Freedom. it’s something I’m learning more and more about. the freedom we have in Christ. Back in May I got this new tattoo with my sister Amanda in Nashville. You know me + tattoos….they are addicting. and somehow in someway God prompts me to get tattoos that I’m not 100% sure what it means to me when I get them. Like my “restored” tat. [read about that here].
It was like he gave me a word for the season that was coming, and although it took a year to be fully revealed – I’m thankful He was with me the whole way!
so back to freedom.
I knew when He prompted my heart to get this tattoo, there was something in store for me in this season. and I’m starting to see what it was! I need to know the message of freedom all the time. I struggle. don’t we all? I struggle with productivity. yes. I always want to have to be “doing” something. I’ve always been this way. I remember in college, I couldn’t just take a nap like a normal college student – I had to make up something to do. So imagine me as a mom. There is ALWAYS something that needs to be done. and I”m trying to come to grips with the fact that I won’t EVER be 100% on top of everything. and that’s ok! there is FREEDOM!
I was lying in bed the other night thinking about all the emails I needed to respond to, and the post I needed to write, and the pictures I needed to edit – and I just had to say “stop”. There is FREEDOM in REST. Christ tells us NOT to worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow has enough worries of it’s own. I want to claim that. to believe it. to find freedom in it. I want to be 100% dependent on Him alone. not on myself + how much I can “get done”. My internet was out at the house this week + it was freeing. freeing to get to sit on the porch and read and drink some iced tea. freeing to get to think of fun things to do with the kids when they woke up. freeing to be present.
Freedom. “where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom” -2 Corinthians 3:17
is the Lord teaching you anything about freedom? If so, please share!
Hey, I'm Wynne!
Hi, friend! First, I truly am so giddy that you are here. I want you to know I believe in you and all the ways you are growing towards living a more intentional life. I genuinely hope you are encouraged from our time together here.
A little about me, I’m a type 7 on the enneagram, a total extrovert + people lover, entrepreneur, connector, storyteller, people gatherer, and passionate wife, mama + friend. I feel most alive when I’m exploring new places and surrounded by people I love. Give me a day in the outdoors disconnected from wifi, and I am a happy girl. I run on oat milk lattes, Jesus, gratitude journaling and kitchen dance parties with my four kids.
Welcome, come on in!
I love your tattoos! I have 2 myself. A cross on my wrist and “Yaweh” in Hebrew between my shoulder blades. I want to get another one when we bring our child or children home from Ethiopia, because my tattoos represent my covenant with God, my reminder that He is always with me, and a conversation starter with others about Jesus! 🙂
Amy, thanks for your comment! ohh I love yours! I was just thinking about “yaweh” tattoo yesterday….send me a pic! YES! I agree, i love using them to start a conversation. I always say I can tell the story of the cross, restoration, hope and freedom from my ink! that’s pretty good 😉 and I dream of a tattoo to represent my children, just gotta wait until I am done having/adopting em 😉 thanks for sharing!
love the tattoos, love the shoes, love the story 🙂
I really needed this today. I was just telling Chad earlier today that I was so tired and not feeling too well…I just wanted a nap, but didn’t want to because there were WAY too many other things that needed to get done. I was explaining to him my guilt complex about taking naps in the week. I don’t mind on Sunday after church, but to stop to take a power nap during the week seems like weakness…I think I should be able to accomplish it all without ever breaking a sweat and getting tired. Well, all that to say. I decided to listen to my body and rest for a little bit. How liberating! It didn’t hurt one bit and things were still accomplished and I felt better about completing those tasks! It seems that I am constantly having to remind myself not to lean on by own strength, but His! You are amazing and an inspiration! I love you!
jamie, thank you for saying hi! i miss you! thank you for sharing your heart and being honest. and i totally know what you mean! sometimes just taking a nap is EXACTLY what we need! i can tell you countless stories of gods faithfulness to me when I just stopped and rested! thank you thank you! love you!
Wynne,
I want a tattoo but my parents have said no for now. I want Jeremiah 29:11 somewhere on my body. such a beautiful verse and really has meant so much to me and in my life. your tattoos are absolutely beautiful and I love how you use them to start conversations and remind yourself of all that God has brought you through. I am also not a huge pain person so I don’t know how I would handle the physical pain.
Wynne, I love the tattoos, but I have to ask . . . According to Leviticus 19:28, the bible instructs us not to tattoo our bodies. What are your thoughts on this? I am not judging, I have 2 tattoos myself, but I am curious if you feel that it violates what God tell us. I just recently discovered this verse and was concerned about my tattoos and feeling like I had disobeyed God.
Allison, sorry it’s taken me so long to respond. HOnestly, all my tattoos tell a story, of jesus, restoration, hope, and freedom – so I love them. it’s an easy way to share the love of christ with people and strike up a conversation!