A Norvell Note for the week of November 30, 2020

Vol. 23 No. 35

A Time to Let Go

I have an old pair of Levi’s that are loose and frayed and worn, and now have a couple of iron-on patches. They have served me well through the years and especially during the Pandemic. But, I know the day is coming, may have already passed, when it will be time to let them go.

Our 2007 Toyota Highlander, had 8 miles on the odometer on it when I drove away from the dealership, now has almost 281,000 miles on it. Within the last year, we repaired or repaired many significant parts, the outside is scraped and scratched, and the seats are worn thin and stained. There will come a time when we will not include the Highlander in our travel plans.

I have dreamed dreams that were clear and seemingly within the realm of possibility, only to realize that they will never come true later. A successful career never materialized. The growth potential never developed. The relationship that held so much promise never evolved.

Against our will, because of the Pandemic, we have learned about letting go. We’ve let go of traditions and people who are sacred to us. We’ve let go of dreams. We’ve let go of plans. We’ve delayed graduation ceremonies and parties, reimagined wedding plans, put vacations on hold, and celebrated holiday traditions in non-traditional ways.

Life teaches us to accept that material possessions wear out, people leave us, plans can change and fall through, dreams sometimes fade, and we have to let go of them. 

The wise man who told us, “There is…a time to throw away,” also said, “There is a time to keep. [i]” So, do your best to accept the fact that letting go is a part of living a full life. It is not always easy, but acceptance is key to the process.

Then, hold on to what you can. Add another patch to those favorite jeans, as long as it is cost-effective, make those auto repairs, and keep dreams. Cherish every moment with your family and friends. Hold tight, keep it running, dream on, and live a rich life of blessings and blessing others.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

[i] Proverbs 3:6

A Norvell Note forthe week of November 23, 2020

Vol. 23 No. 34

We Can Still Be Thankful

We wear masks to protect others and ourselves, but creative people have provided colorful, unique, and safe face coverings. For these people and these masks are thankful.  

Medical professionals are still willing to risks their lives to save others’ lives; some have lost their lives. For these dedicated workers, we are thankful.

Companies have been thoughtful and innovative in developing tools and opportunities for their employees to work remotely. For this can be thankful for that.

Individuals, churches, businesses, and food banks collect and distribute tons of food and essential products to families so they will not go hungry. For these generous hearts, we are thankful. 

Nearly 100,000 small businesses have closed, millions have lost their jobs. If you are still working for this, you can be thankful.

Teachers, school administrators, and parents are learning new and creative ways to provide quality education. For dedicated teachers and determined parents, we can be thankful.

Church leadership teams are being diligent in providing meaningful ways to worship safely. For these spiritual leaders, we can be thankful.

You may not be able to have a typical Thanksgiving this year, but hopefully, you can safely share a meal with someone you love. For this, you can be thankful.

We may not be able to reach out and physically touch someone who needs encouragement, but we can use the technology we have to call, text, email, FaceTime, or Zoom to remind them that you love them and are thankful for them. For this, we can be grateful.

The deaths from the pandemic and increasing cases of violence have reminded us that life is fragile. If you are healthy and your family safe and well, for good health, we should be thankful.

In a year when almost everything has changed, we have the opportunity to be a source of hope and peace. For this, we can be thankful.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note forthe week of November 9, 2020

Vol. 23 No. 32

Hear us. Help us. Heal us. Hold us.

Rather than recap all the happenings of last the nine months, and especially the last week, I’ll just pray.

Hear us, Lord.

On any given day, and especially on this day, we need to know. You hear us. Some of us are crying out in despair, some in frustration, and some in sadness and anger. We are also crying out with disbelief, relief, joy, and celebration. All of us are crying out for wisdom, patience, understanding, and discernment. All of us are crying out for calmness, restraint, justice, and mercy. Hear us, Lord.

Help us, Lord.

Whether we are experiencing feelings of celebration or feelings of defeat, we interact with one another in our homes, work with friends and in church, help us express our feelings with respect, humility, and graciousness. When we talk about the events taking place in the world around us, give us the language that builds others up and encourages those who listen. Help us, Lord.

Heal us, Lord.

We are battered and bruised, confused and distracted, afraid, and cautious about the future. Our opinions, decisions, and assumptions divide us. We are trying to maintain our hope, but we struggle to maintain that attitude of hopefulness consistently. We are hurting. Heal us, Lord.

Hold us, Lord.

A child frightened by a thunderstorm, or awakened by a nightmare, wants to be held and comforted. So we want to hear Your calming voice and long for the peacefulness of resting in Your strong arms. We trust You, and we need You. Hold us, Lord.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note for the week of November 2, 2020 

Vol. 23 No. 31

So That You May Have Peace

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NIV)

Jesus spoke those words to His closest friends as He moved toward the cross, as they encountered a time of confusion and struggle as they had never known. He wanted them to see that He was aware of what they were experiencing even though He would not be with them in the flesh.

The circumstances are different, but our need for comfort and peace is just as real today.

We are living in a time of confusion and struggle. How many people will die from the Coronavirus? How much longer with the pandemic last? Will I be able to pay my mortgage? Will I be able to feed my family? Will I get COVID? What if one of my loved ones gets it? Will our nation be at peace after the election ends? Will all people ever be treated as equals? Why is this happening? When will it end?

It took some time before the disciples completely understood what He was saying to them, but He wanted to prepare them for what was ahead. It will take some time before we fully grasp what has happened and is happening to us and our country. It is exhausting, and maybe futile, to try to answer all the questions.

We can find comfort (“take heart”) in knowing God is aware of our situation. He knows what we are going through, and He knows how it is affecting us. He may not choose to intervene or change the circumstances, but He knows, and He is with us.

We can find comfort in knowing that He has overcome the world. “In this world you will have trouble.” How? That is another question I can’t answer, but I am confident that it is true. When He ready, He will reveal His plan.

I don’t know when the pandemic will end. I don’t know what will happen when the vote is final. I don’t know what will happen an hour from now. But, I do know that God is here, Jesus is alive, and the Spirit is with us and in us. That is enough for today.

Peace be with you. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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