Day 40 - Living Hope

PHIL WICKHAM
2018


How do you even begin to end a project like this?

If you know me, literally at all, you probably guessed it was a gut-wrenching, over-analytical, torture of a process to find THE. PERFECT. SONG. to wrap up this journey.

But here's the thing: it really wasn't.

This Top 40 started with my grandmother so that's where it's going to end.

I love tattoos and am fascinated by the stories they tell. Nothing makes my skin crawl more than having to talk to a complete stranger, but I will ask anyone anywhere about a tattoo. I enjoy hearing the stories and meanings of each one.


My problem with getting tattoos has never been the money or the pain but the time it takes to get them done. Whenever I see one I like on someone, my first question is always, "How long did that take?"


If it's over two hours, I'm out. I can't do movies that run over two hours - hell, I even get a little antsy when sporting events go to overtime. Let's keep life moving. Everyone's got better things to do.


Just like Nana said.


So that keeps my options limited.


But I really like the three tattoos I've gotten done so far:

1. "All These Things" over my heart on the left side of my chest. I got it when I turned 35 in February of 2015.


2. A letter "Q" on the right side of my chest for
the baby, Quinn, that we lost when I was 37 in February of 2017.

3. This lion (pictured below) on the inside of my right arm, between my elbow and shoulder, that I got as I was turning 40 in February of 2020 (February has inadvertently worked as a good time of year for my tattoos, because (A) it's an easy birthday present and (B) it's something to do/look forward to in the most boring stretch of the year).




There had been a bunch of concepts that I had been thinking about when dreaming up a new tattoo but nothing was really standing out or coming together.

Then my wife, Summer, saw something very similar (with the lion, the banner, and the arrows) to this final version in late 2018 and I was instantly hooked. 


I knew it was what exactly what I wanted. 


I sent the concept to the same artist that did my other two tattoos and she designed this one - I can't recommend
Jessa enough by the way. She is a legit artist and has her own style and vibe. I cherish the uniqueness and individuality of her work. 

Here's what all of this new tattoo means to me:


- Obviously the word "Jericho" has 
meant a lot to me over the past decade. That was an easy decision for the banner.

- The arrows come from Psalms 127: 4-5. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them. 3 arrows for each of our kids: Jack, Kate, and the baby, Quinn, that we lost at 20 weeks. 
We will never forget you, Baby Q.

- Then there's the lion. So many things I like about this lion.


1. Summer and I went to Old Dominion University where the team names are the "Monarchs" and the
mascot is a lion.

2. Silly as it might sound, lions are bolder and braver than I am naturally. I like that little reminder on my arm to be bold. Seriously.


3. And above all else, it was a line from the song "Living Hope" that put it over the top.


Back to Nana: I mentioned in the Intro that her funeral in August of 2018 was a big inspiration for this entire Top 40 project. "Living Hope" had come out that year and our church had recently introduced it in our services at that time. It really connected with me at that moment in life and really helped me deal with her passing. 

Love you, Eno. Thanks for one last, great idea.

Then came the morning that sealed the promise

Your buried body began to breathe
Out of the silence, the Roaring Lion
Declared the grave has no claim on me
Jesus, Yours is the victory.

Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free

Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me
You have broken every chain
There's salvation in Your name
Jesus Christ, my living hope

Wow.


What comfort. 


What excitement!

When you're living with this mantra as your anchor, then nothing can really get to you. Again, it doesn't mean that life is going to be easy. But it does mean that life can be better.

I can honestly say that I'm not really scared of anything anymore.

(Well, except for the Nationals going back to back).

In that Top 40 entry referencing Quinn (from above), I also mentioned that I struggled with being obsessed with death for a good portion of 2018. But when I can stay cognizant, present, and locked-in on this concept of a living hope in Christ, I can pull out of any tailspin.

It's like that epic episode of "Lost" where Desmond needed something - or someone - to keep himself grounded against the shifts of time he was experiencing.

This tattoo will be my own constant against the ever-changing variables that life will inevitably throw my way.

The songs and stories and memories that you've read the past 40 days - about my past 40 years - have helped shape me into the person I am now. But I am relieved to know that I have an active, living hope to guide me into the experiences of the next 40 years and beyond.

I'm as hopeful as I've ever been as I start this new era today.

Listen to "Living Hope" here:








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