Vol. 21 No. 47 | November 25, 2019 

Here is my list of things for which I’m thankful.

I’m thankful for my family, memories we have made together, and the memories that are yet to be made.

I’m thankful for my friends…especially the old friends…and especially for the new friends.

I’m thankful that a beautiful sunset still takes my breath away.

I’m thankful (when I get up early enough) to see the sunrise.

I’m thankful that I still get excited over the possibility of a snowfall.

I’m thankful that I see a tree of many bright colors I still pause to capture the image in my mind and sometimes with my camera.

I’m thankful that when I hear a child laugh or cry it still touches me deep in my soul.

I’m thankful that I can share thoughts and feelings with people all over the world within a matter of seconds.

I’m thankful that I deliberate over my thoughts and feelings for more than a few seconds before I share them with people all over the world.

I’m thankful that when I share my thoughts and feelings with people all over the world some people read them, some people appreciate them, and some people act on them.

I’m thankful that I’ve lived long enough to learn that not everyone wants or needs to know my thoughts, feelings and opinions.

I’m thankful when I see a character in a movie who reminds me of a person who has had a major impact on my life I am still moved to tears because I miss them so much.

I’m thankful for the material possessions I am blessed to own, and for the increasing desire to own less.

I’m thankful for music and the power it has to energize me, to calm me, and to soften my heart.

I’m thankful for bright blue skies and warm (not too warm) sunny days, and I’m thankful for cold rainy days.

I’m thankful for the creative people and their ability to tell a good story and tell it really well.

I’m thankful that I’ve taken the time to remind myself of these things for which I’m thankful, that I have the opportunity and ability to share them with you, and you have taken the time to read them.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15, NIV)

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A Norvell Note © Copyright 2019 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved 

Vol. 21 No. 46 | November 18, 2019 

The holiday season- what’s supposed to be: “the most wonderful time of the year.” It’s the season of gift-giving, thanksgiving, and finding joy and peace. Then there are countless parties,  travel, shopping,  gift-wrapping, more shopping, and eating, eating, and more eating. 

That’s all fine and good. However, this year, there is one person I‘d like to suggest you pay special attention to. 

You. 

In the midst of all the festivities and making sure everyone else is taken care of, don’t forget to take care of yourself. 

What good is it if every member of the family is well-fed, gets the perfect gift, and feels special if you’re so worn-out and frazzled you can’t enjoy time with them. 

I understand that you might feel guilty about taking time for yourself, or you might get fussed at if you skip one event or don’t make someone’s favorite pie.   But, I promise you, they will survive. They most likely will not starve and their world is not going to end their big present doesn’t arrive on time. 

This year, give yourself a gift. Rest. Relax. Sleep. Find a quiet place and take a few minutes to recover from all the activity. Take a walk, not around the shopping center in search of the ultimate gift, a nice slow walk through a park or the neighborhood. 

You will not be good for everyone else if you are not good to yourself. You cannot take care of them if you don’t take care of them. 

So, here’s an early Christmas gift from me. (Yes, I know it’s not Thanksgiving yet). By the power vested in me, as a fellow human being, I hereby give you permission to be kind to yourself and actually enjoy the holiday season this year. 

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A Norvell Note © Copyright 2019 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved 

A Norvell Note 

Vol. 21 No. 45 | November 11, 2019 

“Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get. (Matthew 7:12, The Message)

These are some of the most well-known and quoted words in all of Scripture. But I often wonder what our lives would be like if we actually put these words into practice. 

Parents might listen to their children more intently and with more respect for their children. 

A husband might try to be more accepting and kind when his wife has emotions or moods he can’t understand and doesn’t want to talk about.  

A wife might just sit and listen to her husband without trying to explain, defend, or fix what is going on. 

A politician might respect his constituents more, work harder to make their lives better, and give them the benefit of the doubt that they’re not just out for personal gain.  

A church leader might be more sensitive to a member who is frustrated and hurting because she feels inadequate to do what God has called her here to do. 

A customer might demonstrate more grace and kindness toward a cashier, even when he isn’t receiving the kind of service he expects.  

A writer might be more concerned about using his words to encourage and inspire his readers. 

I think I’ll give it a try, and I hope you will too.

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A Norvell Note © Copyright 2019 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved 

A Norvell Note 

Vol. 21 No. 44 | November 4, 2019 

Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. (Isaiah 64:8 NIV)

I remember hearing these words when I was a child sitting in a church pew. I envisioned a man sitting at his pottery wheel, shaping something from a glob of clay, and it took me decades to understand what these words really meant. 

God is the potter. He created us, taking us from an idea to what He imagined we could be and then shaping us into something beautiful. 

We are the clay. We aren’t in control of how we are “shaped” or how long it will take for God to complete His creation. We are at His mercy, but His mercies are beautiful.

We are all the work of His hand, and we are all in his hands. Even when the work He does is painful and lasts longer than we want, the end result is always beautiful. 

Some days I recognize that He is still shaping me, even in my sixth decade, and I wonder why. What else needs to be changed? 

On these days, I have to remind myself that I won’t always understand what He is doing or why. But what I do know is this: He is the potter, shaping me into the image of His Son. 

And that is a beautiful thing. 

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A Norvell Note © Copyright 2019 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved