A Norvell Note for June 1, 2021

Vol. 24 No. 21

The Open Window

Well-intentioned encouragers often say, “When God closes one door, he always opens another.” An alternate version: “When God closes a door, he opens a window.” A less optimistic response: “Unless you’re me. Then he closes all doors, bars all windows, and sets the house on fire.”

I admit I’m not a fan of the first two statements. Regardless of the hopeful truths, they convey they often seem shallow in the darkness of a crisis. My reality is that all three sentiments might resonate in our hearts on any given day in any given week.  

Life hits hard, and nothing makes sense anymore. We have more questions than answers, and our dreams are fading. We struggle to maintain a hopeful attitude. We can’t find the open door, an open window, and it feels like the house is on fire.

We put it all in God’s hands and trust Him to do what is best. At least we try to. But the uncertainty is suffocating. The silence of God drives us crazy. We wish, we hope, and we pray. We long for the open door, and we search for the open window, and we wait.

So, what do we do while we wait? What can we do? We do what we have always done. We turn to the Creator of life to strengthen us, guide us, and sustain us. We rely on the truth in words like these to get through the day.

I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
    along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
    and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
    I will not forsake them. (Isaiah 42:16, NIV)

When we cannot see the path through the unknown ways, He will provide the light. He is the open window. He will not forsake us. Hold on to Him.

[Keep up with Norah’s updates at Tom on Facebook]

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2021 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.   

A Norvell Note for May 24, 2021

Vol. 24 No. 20

Everything Just Changed

There are moments in life when you realize something just happened that changed everything. We can’t make sense of it, we can’t believe it is true, and we don’t want to accept it. All we know for sure is that everything just changed, and life will never be the same.

For some, it was a pandemic. For some, it is an accident. For some, it is a decision. For some, it is a cancer diagnosis. At the moment, we cannot process what is happening or what is to come. All we know for sure is that everything just changed.

You suddenly realize that what you once called normal is gone forever. Talking about the new normal only makes you angry, yet you know you must deal with it and face it. You wish you could turn the clock back just for a few minutes, and maybe, just maybe, there will be a different outcome.

Every morning you wake up, assuming you’ve been able to sleep, hoping it was just a bad dream. But it wasn’t. The nightmare continues. You wonder how you are going to do it again. You take a deep breath, put your feet on the floor, and take a step.

You know people are praying, and you know prayer works, but still, your pain is oppressive, your emotions are raw, and your thoughts are rapid and random. You hope for relief, but so far, comfort has not come. All you know for sure is that everything just changed, and you don’t have a clue how to deal with it.

So, you pray.

Father, help me. I don’t know how to deal with life now that everything has changed. You know that right now, I don’t know what or how to pray. So, please, please, please listen to our breaking hearts. When we are exhausted, and we can’t take that next step, help us know that You are holding us in Your arms and will keep us from falling.

[You can find out more on what our Daughter and Son-in-Law are dealing with by following updates at Tom on Facebook]

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2021 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.   

A Norvell Note for May 17, 2021

Vol. 23 No. 19

Pray. Listen. Walk.

I have a deadline on a writing project, so I pray: “Lord, give me words. Give me words that encourage those who are discouraged. Give me words that comfort those who need comforting. Give me words that build up those who are feeling down. Give me words that bring peace and offer hope to those who need it.” That prayer is often followed by sitting down at my computer to a blank screen and start typing. The words come, and I remember these words.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)

When I was preaching, there were Sundays when I would be walking to the platform praying with each step, “Lord, I don’t know if what I’ve prepared is what these people need to hear. If not, give me the words You want me to speak.” The message comes. The words come, and I remember these words.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)

I’ve been called to the hospital to pray with a family in a crisis. As I drive to the hospital, walk from the parking lot, step in the elevator, and then enter the room, I pray, “Lord, I don’t know what to say to this family. Please give me the right words.” He gives me the words to pray, and I remember these words.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)

When I have a significant decision to make, I often pray, “Lord, I don’t have a clue what I am supposed to do. Give me wisdom and discernment. Lord, please give me ears to hear what You are saying to me.” The wisdom comes, the decision I make the decision, and I remember these words.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)

Please understand I do not claim to have any special gift or unique ability to hear the voice of God. However, when I pray, God responds with wisdom, words, directions, and peace. His responses are varied in form and timing but real and undeniable.

My purpose in this writing is to remind us that God does listen to us, He will respond to our prayers, and if we pay attention, we can know the way He wants us to go. Then, we can walk in it with confidence and peace.

Pray. Listen. Walk.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2021 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.   

A Norvell Note for May 10, 2021

Vol. 23 No. 18

The Lord’s Favor

Using the simple definition of blessing as the Lord’s favor, we can acknowledge it we receive God’s blessing every day.

The air we breathe is a sign of God’s favor. If you do not believe it, ask someone who has difficulty breathing.

The water we drink is a sign of God’s favor. If you do not believe it, ask someone who does not have access to clean, healthy water.

Friends and family are signs of God’s favor. If you do not believe that, ask a lonely person.

Our spiritual community’s relationships are signs for God’s favor. If you do not believe that, ask a person who feels distant, disconnected, and isolated.

I list these everyday blessings to remind us that God shows His favor to all people all the time and in all kinds of ways, but unless we are paying attention, we will miss them and take them for granted. Sometimes it takes a sudden and unexpected blessing to awaken our awareness of His constant loving presence in our lives.

For instance, we needed to replace my wife’s car but were trying to extend the vehicle’s life as far as possible. Then, while servicing the car, they discovered another costly problem. Realizing we needed to make a change, my wife talked to a salesman if there was anything on the lot that might meet our needs. Without going into all the details, and to our utter amazement, the sales and financial departments (yes, car salespeople) made us a deal that was more than we could have ever asked or imagined, and we are now the blessed owners of an almost brand-new car.

We have been the recipients of the Lord’s favor.

Once we receive a blessing and realize that God wants to show us His favor, we may begin to see gifts everywhere we look. Look for signs of His favor this week. Make a list of blessings. Tell someone how God has blessed you. And be sure to thank Him for the kindness He shows you.

May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us— yes, establish the work of our hands. (Psalm 90:17)

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2021 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.   

A Norvell Note for May 3, 2021

Vol. 23 No. 17

At Just the Right Time

This sentence from Romans 5 recently captured my attention.  

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6, NIV)

My first thought is gratitude. I am grateful for the fact that God knew me well enough before I had taken a breath to see that I would need a Savior. I am thankful that although I occasionally struggle to prove my worth to God, to people, and even to myself, He knew that it would be impossible for me to do that. I am grateful that at that moment, when I was utterly powerless, Christ died for me.

Then, my focus camped on the one phrase at just the right time.

At just the right time, when I realized that neither of my parents would be around for college graduation, my wedding, for grandchildren, or for support in making important decisions and how to handle life’s traumas, substitute Mothers and Fathers entered my world.

At just the right time when I was struggling to discover a direction and purpose in life, I met my wife, who has supported me, loved me, encouraged me, and patiently walked with me through all the other times of searching and struggling for over forty-five years.

At just the right times, after waiting for the right time to have children, our son and daughter brought joy and happiness into our world. And at just the right times in both of their lives, when we were at a loss as to how to guide and teach them, God brought just the right people into their lives to provide what we could not.

At just the right times when I have felt lonely, discouraged, insignificant, and discarded, God, sent messengers with echoes of friendship, words of comfort, memories of purpose and value.

At just the right times, when simply trying to help people see Jesus failed because of bureaucracy and pettiness, someone would show up in my path to allow me to fulfill my true calling.

I have learned that God loves to show up in our lives when we need Him most, when we least expect it, and always at just the right time. Be ready to see Him and enjoy what He does.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2021 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.