A Norvell Note for March 1, 2021

Vol. 23 No. 09

Plans and Pauses

Spring was coming on with intensity, then the winter storm hit and slowed the process. Fields and lawns were turning green. Trees were budding. Birds were singing. Then, pause.

Tiger was recovering from back surgery and preparing to return to competitive golf, hoping to make an appearance that the 2021 Masters. His automobile accident has put everything on hold as he recovers. His career is on pause.

Twelve months ago, we could not imagine the life changes we were about to experience. Nor could we imagine that we would still be experiencing them.

The Bible is full of stories about people who experienced an unexpected pause in their plans. Poor choices distracted David from following God. Jonah rebelled against God, delaying the message of repentance. Peter’s denials disrupted his leadership of the disciples. Paul’s missionary travel plans had multiple starts and stops. They paused as they dealt with the setbacks.

As I reflect on my sixty-eight trips around the sun, it reminds me of numerous times when I faced setbacks (some my own doing and others beyond my control) that forced me to suspend my plans and wait for me to see and understand God’s new approach.

Without exception, a setback (a reversal or stoppage of progress) irritates and frustrates me. I’m in a hurry, and a long slow train stops my progress. When I need to print a document quickly, the printer decides to misfeed. When I thought I was moving toward accomplishing an important goal, I realize that goal was not what I was needing (or wanting) to do. When I see some light at the end of the financial tunnel, an unexpected expense dims the light.

Does any of that sound familiar?

Almost without exception, the pause (interrupt action or speech briefly) ends up being a blessing. I cannot tell you how many times I wanted to say (or write) something, but I hesitated and remained quiet for one reason or another. That train that stopped my progress reminded me that being in a hurry is not necessary. The pandemic and slower pace provided the opportunity to see what’s important and appreciate my blessings. The weird and unexplained rash made me get a couple of days of much-needed rest.

As warmer weather returns, I am confident that the colors of spring will soon decorate the landscape.

Pauses and setbacks are part of life. How we deal with them is our choice. We can fuss and fume. Or we can look for the beauty found slowing down and looking for hidden blessings, as we remember that the Father is on our side, guiding our steps, sees things that are beyond our ability to see.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow
    come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
    without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
    so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
    It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
    and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy
    and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
    will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
    will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
    and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
    for an everlasting sign,
    that will endure forever.”[1]

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2021 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.   

[1] Isaiah 55:8-13, NIV

A Norvell Note for February 22, 2021

Vol. 23 No. 08 

Lessons in Humility and Gratitude

The truck passed me on the freeway, and ice started flying off his roof and hitting my windshield. I wanted to yell ugly things. Then, I wondered how many times I have unknowingly done the same thing.

As I watched the news reports, I wanted to call him arrogant, selfish, and a horrible public servant example. Then, I remembered times when I’ve been egotistical, selfish, and an awful example of a servant.

I grew restless and frustrated with being confined to home because of the snow and ice-covered roads. Then, I remembered the message repeated so often throughout my life be still, relax, and be where you are.

I was frustrated as the electricity kept going off, and when the restrictions on water usage and said to boil the water before drinking. Then, I talked to folks whose power had been off for days, had no idea when or if the power was coming back on, and had no water at all.

I began to feel gamey and grimy and complained about not having had a shower in five days. Then, I heard a nurse say she was wearing clothes from the facility lost and found and that he had not left the hospital in seven days.

I was almost boastful that have received both vaccine shots very early in the process. Then, I heard someone say they could not even get an appointment for the first dose.

I was thankful that we had candles and cell phones to light the darkness and gas logs in our fireplace to keep us warm. Then, I heard stories of freezing people, and others who were burning furniture to stay warm, and others who had water damage because of bursting water pipes.

Sometimes I whine and complain (my “No Complaints. No Fear. Finish Strong” bracelet broke last week) and think my life is more challenging than I deserve. Then we have a pandemic, a winter storm, a tornado, a hurricane, and images and stories of others who are dealing with much more than I am, and the Lord reminds me how richly blessed I am.  

Father, thank You for blessing me with life, home, food, water, bed, warmth, family, friends, a spiritual community that knows no boundary, and so many other physical, material, and spiritual blessings. And, Father, please accept my prayer of repentance for the times when I gripe and complain and fail to acknowledge how much You love and bless me.  So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. (Colossians 3:12-14 The Message) 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2021 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.   

A Norvell Note for February 15, 2021

Vol. 23 No. 07

Good Friends Who Love Deeply

In a section of Scripture where the writer (Paul) offers instruction for believers and among non-believers, he writes:

Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle. (Romans 12:10 MSG)

I have a few people who fit that description. They have been and are good friends and have loved me deeply. They have loved me through good times, they have loved me through challenging times, and they have loved me through all the mediocre times in between. They have loved me when I have been easy to love and loved me even more profoundly when I have been far from lovable.

They have loved me when I have been sitting on top of the world, in the depths of despair, and I cannot imagine my life today if those friends had not decided to love me deeply. Thank you, good friends, for loving me deeply.

I also have people who have been willing to remain in the shadows while I have been in the spotlight. While I have been the preacher enjoying a level of celebrity status, they have stood beside me and behind me, encouraging me, believing in me, and at times protecting me from unseen dangers. These dear people have been willing to stay close and cheer me on as I have tried to use my communication skills to share Jesus. Thank you for always being near me.

I am thankful for the good friends who love me deeply and inspire me to be more like the Jesus I see in them and practice playing second fiddle.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2021 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note. 

A Norvell Note for February 8, 2021

Vol. 23 No. 06

It’s About Focus

Take a moment and focus on your fears. COVID-19? The vaccine – getting it, not getting it. Family problems. Being alone. Money problems. Health issues. Political division. Racial unrest. Not having enough to eat. Death.

Now, close your eyes and take some deep, slow breaths.

Now, read this passage, silently and then out loud.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. ^[1]

Do the same with these words.

Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God. I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you^[2]

What did you notice as you were reading?  Do you see the contrasts in focus? I have two observations.

When I focus on my resources, I am likely to be afraid, I will become anxious and discouraged, I see my weakness, and I may very well fail.

When I focus on God and accept His help, I do not need to panic because He is with me, I do not need to be anxious, I have His strength, and He keeps me steady.

On any given day, you have countless reasons to be afraid, but you just as many possibilities to change your focus away from your fears and toward the One who will be with you, give you strength, and hold you steady.

It’s about focus.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2021 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note. 

^[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1984), Is 41:10.

^[2] Eugene H. Peterson, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005), Is 41:10.