Vol. 22 No. 25            The week of June 28, 2020

When You Don’t Know What Else to Do

Where do you go when you don’t know where else to go? What do you do when you don’t know what else to do?

With the resurgence of increased COVID cases, rising unemployment rates, and heightened racial tensions, we are all searching for answers and looking for guidance. 

For the weary, the confused, and those who are starting to feel hopeless, I offer these words from Jesus.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29, NIV)

As tired as we may be of being told to stay home and wear a mask if we go out, Jesus is not tired of hearing from us and continues to welcome us into His presence where we can rest.

As difficult as it is to know who is right or wrong and who, if anyone, has the answers, we know that Jesus is truth, all-knowing will always be here to comfort and guide us.

As exhausting as it is to listen to one more negative news report, hear about one more death, or be told one more time that we should be afraid of the air we breathe, we know Jesus is not exhausted. He is our place of rest, comfort, and hope.

Are you tired of caring for the sick? 

Are you burdened by the demands of your life?

Are you looking for comfort and peace?

Are you hurting and lonely and feel isolated? 

Jesus says, “Come to me.”

When you don’t know what else to do, turn to Jesus. He will be waiting with open arms, reminding you to  “Come to me.”

 A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

Vol. 22 No. 24            The week of June 21, 2020

This is a semi-constant prayer and desire.

Let the words of my mouth

    and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing to you,

    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

Father let the words of my mouth be pleasing to You.

Words are plentiful, and sometimes I say too much. But sometimes I don’t say enough. Sometimes I speak kindly and build people up. But sometimes my words are harsh and tear others down. 

Sometimes my words bring laughter and help people feel better. But sometimes my humor makes them feel worse.  

I know I’m guilty of succumbing to moments of frustration, judgment, and insensitivity. But in my heart, my truest desire is always to use my words to bring light, joy, hope, and peace to those who read them. 

Father let the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you.

So I pray, Lord, give me words that comfort those who are hurting, bring peace to those who are anxious, bring joy to those who are sad, and bring hope to those who are hopeless.

Remind me that the words I speak and write are the result of the meditation of my heart. Help me keep my focus on You-  the battles You have empowered me to fight and the struggles You have enabled me to overcome- so that when I speak or write, those who receive my words will be able to hear and see You more clearly.  

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

 A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

Vol. 22 No. 23            June 15, 2020

I have many questions, but few answers. I see many problems, but few solutions. I have some level of influence and insight, but not enough to calm the fears, relieve the pain, or reduce the level of anger that exists in our world. 

I cannot change all the things that need to be changed, but there is one thing I know; change starts with me. 

It starts with me, loving my neighbor as myself.

It starts with me, treating my wife with love and respect.

It starts with loving my children and grandgirls and helping them see Jesus in my words and actions.

It starts with me walking across the street to meet my new neighbor and being kind and thoughtful to those who live around me.  

It starts with taking a deep breath before I react to a person not wearing a mask at the gas pump next to me.

It starts with going beyond good intentions and doing what I know I need to do.

It starts with me listening instead of trying to prove my point and keeping my mouth closed when I want to speak unkindly.

It starts with me speaking up, even when it’s more comfortable to be silent. 

It starts with me, expressing the joy in being alive, even when joy is hard to find…especially when joy is hard to find.

It starts with me, following the instructions from the prophet: 

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

It starts with me treating others how I want to be treated. 

It starts with allowing God’s Spirit to more fully develop love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Because against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5)

It starts with remembering this truth:

 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. (1John 2:6) 

I realize there are changes that must occur in our political structures, social systems, and institutions that may be beyond my scope of influence. But change must come.  

And that change starts with me. 

 A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

Vol. 22 No. 22 | June 8, 2020

I was listening to Sara Bereilles’s song, A Safe Place to Land, struck by how much the lyrics reflect the times in which we are living.

When pain is all that they offer 
You know the famine so well, but never met the feast 
Like a kiss from the lips of monster 
And home is the belly of the beast 

When holding your breath is safer than breathing 
When letting go is braver than keeping 
When innocent words turn to lies 
And you can't hide by closing your eyes 

The ocean is wild and over your head
And the boat beneath you is sinking
Don't need room for your bags
Hope is all that you have
So say the Lord's prayer twice, hold your babies tight
Surely someone will reach out a hand
And show you a safe place to land
 
Oh, imagine yourself in a building
Up in flames being told to stand still
The window's wide open
This leap is on faith
You don't know who will catch you
Maybe somebody will
 
The ocean is wild and over your head
And the boat beneath you is sinking
Don't need room for your bags
Hope is all that you have
So say the Lord's prayer twice, hold your babies tight
Surely someone will reach out a hand
And show you a safe place to land
 
Be the hand of a hopeful stranger
A little scared but you're strong enough
Be the light in the dark of this danger
'Til the sun comes up..

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, 
as we also have forgiven our debtors. 
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours it the kingdom and the power And glory forever. 
Amen.