Would you put a bumper sticker on a Ferrari? Yes, I most definitely would, because I love bumper stickers.

My name is Maddy McGlade and I am absolutely, entirely, infinitely head-over-heels for my tattoo.

I understand that they get the stereotype of being “trashy,” “slutty,” “dumb,” “ugly,” or whatever other negative connotation they are referred to as. I want the world to stop the judgment of tattoos. I am so over the negative view they receive from so much of the world. The purpose of this article is to tell you why I love my tattoo along with the rest of the tattoos in this world, and also to state why the judgment needs to stop.

Disclaimer: This is not to say that some tattoos aren’t poorly thought out and maybe were a bad decision, because yes, it happens. But, keep your negative thoughts to yourself and get over it. Your negative thought is not going to remove the tattoo from someone's body.

Now, continuing on with my real point.

A tattoo can be an inspiration, an aspiration, a memory, or a motivation. A tattoo can be a story, and can reveal an entirely different side to a human being. A tattoo is a daily reminder to you of what truly matters, what you are passionate about, what has changed you, or who has changed your life.

We (hopefully) did not wake up one morning with ink on our bodies, we chose the ink that we have on our bodies. A tattoo (hopefully) has meaning.

One of my favorite things to do is ask someone about their tattoo, as I learn so much about a human that I might not even know the first name of.

I am so proud to show off my tattoo, and I love talking about it. My tattoo is a tribute to my grandmother (it’s her quote and in her beautiful, perfect handwriting), who passed away the week after my sophomore year of high school. Let me tell you, friends, that I can only hope to be half of the person she was. My tattoo reminds me of so many memories with my grandma, it reminds me to never give up on absolutely anything, and it reminds me to love always. She is my inspiration. She is one of my best friends. And she is with me, and on me, for the rest of my days.

Looking in the mirror and seeing that tat on my body for the very first time was one of the best feelings I have ever felt. It is empowering, it is beauty, and it is mine, forever.

Now, the Biblical side. “It is against the Word of God to tattoo your body.” What I have to say about this phrase is this: please read all of Leviticus 19. Read it in it’s entirety. It says, in verse 28, "Do not cut your bodies for the dead, and do not mark your skin with tattoos. I am the LORD.” This verse is talking about pagan ritual. Last time I checked, the quote “love always, grandma” is not ritualistic.

I spent a great amount of time searching the Bible for verses against tattoos before I got one, and found nothing. My body is a temple, have you ever seen a temple? Let me tell you, it isn’t blank. My freckles, birthmark, and tattoo are all apart of this temple, and I will forever use this temple to glorify our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Also, if I remember correctly, it is God’s job to judge, not ours.

I’ll leave this here.

But, one final thought. If everyone took the time to listen and learnwhat a tattoo is about and the story it holds, I promise so much of the judgment would end. So, I dare you. Ask someone the story behind their tattoo, because I guarantee you, they would be so happy to tell you all about it.

This is my temple, I will use it for the glory of God, and I will proudly do that with my favorite words on it, forever.