Anyways, one of my tattoos is on my ribs. It's a picture of a hummingbird with the words "Ezer Kenegdo" scripted below.
"Why a hummingbird," you say? Well this is why...
" Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy, and celebration. The hummingbird's delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning, and that laughter is life's sweetest creation. "
I saw this little phrase years and years ago, and ever since, I've always loved the hummingbird. Not only because they are fascinating little creatures, but also because of what they represent. Or what legends tell they represent.
And why "Ezer Kenegdo"? Well, let me rewind and explain this timeline first...Casey and I got engaged in June of 2011. We got our "matching" tattoos (that don't really match in the traditional sense) in August 2011. We got married in May 2012. We'll be married forever, and we'll have our tattoos forever. Simple as that. Kinda like how 1 + 1 = 2. Easy math and no questions asked. That's just the way it'll always be. Lucky me.
Casey got a sparrow with the verse reference "Genesis 2:24" scripted below.
"That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh."
In Christianity, the sparrow is a symbol for hope and renewal.
Psalm 84:3
"...even the lowly sparrow was invited to make her home in the Lord's temple"
This verse shows God's love and protection even at our worst.
The sparrow also symbolizes freedom, dedication, trust, and finding your true love. It is common among servicemen to get the symbol of a sparrow to remind them of finding their way home. Sparrows mate for life and will always return home no matter how far they travel.
I love Casey's tattoo. So back to my "Ezer Kenegdo." Notice the reference Casey got tattooed on his arm, and the word "helper".
Ezer kenegdo is a Hebrew phrase that has been translated to mean
“helper” or “help meet” or “partner”. “Ezer” (help) is actually a
very strong word used in the Bible, it is used for someone who saves or
protects another, the one that needs help. “Kenegdo” (meet) means
facing or corresponding to. She will provide the help he needs and is
neither superior nor inferior to him, she is equal yet different. The
original Hebrew verse was translated this way in Genesis 2:18 “The
LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” (See Casey's tattoo!)
Now some people (some women) at first glance may take offense to
this translation. They may think it sounds as if we are just little
helpers that are like assistants to our husbands. However, as you can
see from the explanation above it is much more than that.
The true Hebrew meaning of “ezer” is actually a combination of two
words, strength and power. God is not referring to a small task or
some remedial little helping job where we make sure he gets dressed in
the morning and gets off to work. Not at all. Our role as “helpers” is a
very important role. We are called to be right by his side helping him
with life, with decisions, with struggles, and celebrating blessings.
We are to “save and protect” him. Our husbands are there to protect and provide for us, but we
are there to protect and provide for them as well…just in different
ways.
God gave our men a big role with a lot of responsiblity. We are
here to help put them in a position to succeed at what God has planned
for their lives. We are to be supportive, loving, respectful and
nurturing. They take care of us and we take care of them. This
includes helping them with daily tasks, with long-term goals, with
their spiritual walk, with their struggles and their doubts and anything
else in between.
That is how it supposed to work. A husband and wife both have
big jobs, and while they may not want to trade jobs, men appreciate a wife who is always there to support,
respect, love and help them.
And the boy and girl lived happily ever after.
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