My Dirty Little Secret: I Have a Belly Button Ring & I Love Jesus.

As I sit here typing this I have a slightly sick feeling in my stomach. It feels empty and like a hurricane is in my stomach. I might be a little nervous to write this post...maybe. Because, today I am writing on something that some people may hate and find, what’s the word...repulsive, annoying, despicable, inappropriate, trashy? The list goes on.

That is because today I am writing about my thoughts/opinions/feelings towards belly button rings. I can already see the eye rolls and hear the negativity of some people. And, now, I am a little more sick to my stomach. But, more than that I am excited to tell you about the truth of a married woman that loves Christ, believes wholeheartedly in modesty, wants nothing more than to never have another dude think lustfully of her, and who has a belly button ring. *GASP* STONE HER!!!!

If you hate this topic, that is ok. I get it!!! Because I know what you are thinking and why. “Belly button rings are like tramp stamps, you get them to be sexually interesting to guys.” And you know what, sometimes that is absolutely true. And sometimes it is not. I got my belly button pierced about 3-4 months after I turned 18. I was not a Christian, I had no right to be getting one, I was boy crazy, and I just wanted to be “hot”. Oh, and I awkwardly told every guy I knew, including my, now, husband who thankfully just said “Um, ok?” and then changed the subject. (I love him!)

But, once I became a Christian it became something else. I still loved it. I liked the decoration and that it made me feel cute! I no longer cared about anyone’s thoughts on it. Good or bad. And I even made sure it was hidden and I took it out if I was in a swimsuit in public. Because, I wasn’t wearing it for anyone else anymore. “What, that’s crazy! Women don’t want to FEEL pretty. They just want guys to think they’re hot.” *eyeroll* *eyeroll* *eyeroll*

Side note: I loathe the word “hot”. It just sets off alarms in my head that say you’re doable and that’s it. I use the word attractive instead. Or something else. Anything else. That is just my random conviction that I wanted to say because it feels weird typing that word. Ha!

As I said, not everyone has them for this reason. So, don’t hear me say that. For me and plenty of other women belly button rings are likened to pretty panties, pretty bras, working out, or tattoos. Or, like, a million other things we do for ourselves! I have had this conversation with plenty of other women. And many many of them were other Christians who were married. I know how we feel about them.

Since I was literally in 7th grade I wore panties that were pretty. Not lacy or anything. Just with flowers or whatever because I liked to, and they were cuter than a plain color. I felt pretty in my own head, under my clothes. I liked that. A lot! I specifically remember a girl at FCA camp scoff and ask why I had pretty panties and I explained just what I said above. She did not seem to grasp the concept, which baffled me. I made this decision on my own as a 7th grader (whatever age that is, 12?).

Currently, I am working out and eating healthier so that I can be healthier inside and lose some fat and gain muscle outside. And guess what? I am not doing this for anyone but me. Again, this may not be true for everyone that works out and loses weight. They may very well be doing it to look “hot”. Me? I just want to live healthier and better. My husband thinks I am, we’ll use the words “great and attractive,” no matter what. And we will leave it there. He loves ME not my body or  my looks, but who I am and how I love Christ. And that transfers over into being attracted to me. No matter what. Because one day I will not look like I do now and neither will he. Ha!

About a year ago I got a tattoo on my upper arm of a cross. I got this one mostly for me. I also got it so I could show off my personality easier. Because clothes, hair, and makeup weren’t enough for me. Ha! But, I don’t choose a tattoo because of what others will think and like. For that matter, I avoid trying to do anything anyone else has done. I hate that. And if people don’t like that, they can move along. I do not have time for all that.

When I was making an entire Pinterest board and mapping out via a drawing where each tattoo would go I was thinking of only what I would like. And, to be frank, I want a lower back tattoo BECAUSE I THINK IT IS A CUTE AND DAINTY PLACEMENT. But, I have stayed away from that because I KNOW when men see that they will think one thing. And keeping that hidden is a little harder than a belly button ring. Notice I didn’t say I have stayed away from it because of what OTHER PEOPLE will think. Because, if a woman in a store thinks I am a “tramp” because of a freaking tattoo then God bless her. Ok, that was a little mean. But, I DO NOT care what anyone thinks. But, I do care if men have gross thoughts in their head. Even though they just shouldn't think of women as sexual objects (*eyerolls*). That gives me the creeps. I am kinda mad that this tattoo placement has been ruined too. But, anywho.

This post was brought to you by Kimberly’s insanely over-analytical and feminist brain. Take these thoughts as you please, but know I am a married woman, that loves Christ, believes wholeheartedly in modesty, wants nothing more than to never have another dude think lustfully of her, and who has a belly button ring. And I will own that title, yo!

Have a wonderful and beautiful day and if you enjoyed these words and want more bombs of awesome wisdom, inspiration, and love packaged up all pretty and sent directly to you then sign up for the newsletter below!!!