Help For Design

I've been thinking on this tattoo for a while now, except I can't figure out one design to finish it up and I'd like some ideas. Where I want is right above my hip Psalms 25:18 and then a crown right above it (more than likely). Then I want some sort of design going up my ribcage to the bottom of my armpit but the idea is I want that design to leave spots open for further work (for like when my dog passes I'll get her face tattoo'd on a spot there, etc..). Kinda like a timeline sorta thing. I was thinking maybe a lightning bolt. Does anybody have any ideas?