Today’s scripture:

Genesis 9:8-17New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9 “As for me, I am establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the domestic animals, and every animal of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark.[a] 11 I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 God said, “This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations:13 I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

Today we have a treat! A guest blogger!  My friend Susan Dehm is an amazing photographer and writer as her passion and vocation besides working in credit recovery.  She is also one of my favorite people in the world.  Susan is someone that hears a clear call to ministry in her everyday life.  She is someone that I believe is a true servant of God, a wonderful listening ear, and someone I trust with my whole heart. Ok, enough from my mouth. Hear what Susan has to say….

I love to drive around the countryside, “seeing”.  I take my camera with me but not a map.  I’m not actually “going” anywhere, so it doesn’t matter if I know where I am.  I’m sure the people that get stuck behind me, when I haven’t noticed and pulled to the side of the road for them to pass, say unpleasant words about me under their breath – or perhaps in shouts!  There are little cemeteries along those winding roads, full of surprises and questions, and often the very best views.  Boot-hills, remember?  I always drive in and take a stroll around.

This past Sunday after church, with the sun shining, I grabbed my camera and headed out to wander.  Eventually, I found my way to Hilltop Cemetery, south east of Independence.  Views of farmland and Mt. Hood, past a huge old oak, beyond a white fence.  What caught my eye though, and my mind, were two special graves.  They were bordered by a heart shaped outline of bricks, slightly lopsided, and yes, there were fake flowers stuck in the ground around the two flat headstones.  But it was the two stand up, vibrant, in your face, crocheted flower crosses that took my breath away.  These two people, in life, must have shared their love and joy to the people around them, in just such an over the top way!
I’ve been thinking about them all week now, as I contemplate Lent.  Looking at the people who have taken the time to overflow love and joy into my life.  Looking at my life and thinking about shifts that I want to make, that would help me to be one of “those” people.   Brilliant, homemade, filled with love and laughter, overflowing to others, in that generous Jesus way.