Souvenir: from the French for ‘remember.’
From a street vendor in Hyderabad, India, I purchased a 3-inch block of wood with an intricate pattern carved into its top side. It looks at first like a disorderly maze of unrelated lines, but when pressed into a bowl of mehndi, the reddish paste made from henna leaves used to create temporary tattoos, this block of wood becomes a stamp which would decorate someone’s somewhere with the image of a . . . scorpion!
Several years before I bought the scorpion stamp, I met a young woman whose left forearm was being henna-tattooed with intricate designs. “Why?” I asked. “What does it mean?” Well, she was preparing to take part in a wedding. But she won’t be decorated as elaborately as the bride. Indian brides favor detailed images of flowers, peacocks or fancy patterns on their forearms, palms and the tops of their hands. These are symbols of positive energy, fertility and happiness. If the groom looks carefully, he may find his initials hidden within the scenery, an omen of good luck in the years of marriage ahead.
We Christians are clothed with the righteousness of Christ. Having credited to our account the sinlessness of our Savior, God has declared us not guilty, ready to join our Savior in the glory of heaven, what St. John called the wedding supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19). We look to Judgment Day with joyful anticipation; in faith we are prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband (Revelation 21).
(The ELS relationship with the Lutheran Mission of Salvation – India is conducted by the Asia Committee of the Board for World Outreach)
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Steve Petersen
Supporting those who share the Good News that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ secured forgiveness of sin for all people – including you!
