A Norvell Note for July 26, 2021

Vol. 24 No. 29

 I Don’t Know How to Do This

Lord, I don’t know how to do this.

I am confident and self-assured when facing most of life’s events, but I don’t know how to do this. I trust You, and I know that You are aware of the pain, the confusion and that I don’t know how to do this.

I know how to take deep breaths to calm my mind and soul to help prepare me for whatever might come at me during the day. I know how to spend time in the Word to help keep me focused on how I should live.

I know how to work hard, and I know when to take a break. I know how to take care of myself and, to some degree, take care of others. But, Lord, I don’t know how to do this.

I am blessed richly and humbled by the opportunities and the abilities to serve people in the name of Jesus in ways I never imagined. But this is different, and I don’t know how to do it.

I trust you when you say, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

I’m asking for wisdom, Lord, to do what I don’t know how to do.

[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 July 19, 2021

Vol. 24 No. 28

I Didn’t Expect This

From blessings to trials, we may evaluate our lives by how we deal with the unexpected. 

I didn’t expect to enjoy college so much.

I didn’t expect to fall in love. 

I didn’t expect to get a call from seeing my friend at the game.

I didn’t expect to win the award.

I didn’t expect to love my children so much. 

I didn’t expect this to hurt so much.

I didn’t expect the job offer. 

I didn’t expect to miss my friends so much. 

I didn’t expect to enjoy that movie so much. 

I didn’t expect to be in so much pain after my surgery. 

I didn’t expect the recovery to be so complicated and take so long. 

I didn’t expect anything like this to happen to our family. 

I didn’t expect people to respond with such an outpouring of love and kindness.

We must be careful when we receive an unexpected blessing that we do not believe we deserve the gift. Also, when we experience a shocking trial, we must not entertain the idea that we deserve it. 

The key to dealing with the unexpected events in our lives, whether blessings or trials, is the same: with graciousness and humility. 

When the unexpected is a trial of unparalleled proportions, accept them with humility and graciousness. “Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10)

When the unexpected is a blessing of unimaginable magnitude, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

We have no control over the unexpected events that come our way, but we choose how we respond to them. Remain humble. Live graciously.

[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 July 12, 2021

Vol. 24 No. 27

I’m Not Driving

I’m sitting in the passenger seat today. The perspective is different in the passenger seat. When I’m not driving, I see things I usually would not see. For example, I do not recall seeing that building. I never noticed that grove of trees. When did they start construction on that corner? Has that coffee shop always been there?

When I’m not driving, I’m an observer. I go wherever the driver takes me. I can make suggestions and requests about the route, the music we listen to, and listen to music, but the driver makes those decisions. If the driver decides to stop, I stop. If the driver chooses to take a different route than I would, I go where he wants to go. So when I’m not driving, I can look at the scenery, write an article, or take a nap.

When I’m not driving, I can see many things and do a lot of things that I would because I trust the driver. The driver is in control. I’m in the passenger seat.

It is the same with life. So here are a few things I’ve learned by being a passenger.

I must trust the Driver. The Driver knows what He has a plan for me. He wants me to enjoy the view. He has so much to show me, but if I insist on driving or tell Him how to go, I may miss it. I trust that He will take care of me.

He has planned the route. He knows what’s around every corner. He knows the best places to stop along the way. He knows the dangers to avoid. It usually turns out better when I let the driver drive. I trust that he knows where we are going and how to get there.

The Driver controls the pace and the best time to arrive. He understands that I usually want to get to my destination as soon as possible. Of course, there are times when He drives slower than I prefer, and there are times when He moves faster than I like. But I trust to get me where I need to be when I need to be there.

Jesus said,” “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

The only way I know to get to where I ultimately want to go is to trust the One who knows the way, the One who is the way.

He is the Driver. I am the passenger.

[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 July 5, 2021

Vol. 24 No. 25 

Something’s Off

Something’s off.

Somedays, I get caught up in work and life responsibilities and almost forget that life has changed. Yet, even on those days, there is a strong sense that something is off.

Sometimes it is a song on my playlist or the weather, or it is a photo on my phone. Somedays, it happens when asked, “How are you?” For most of my life, my typical response to that question has been, “I’m okay.” If pushed, I’ll add, “Not great. Not bad. Just good.” That’s always worked, but not so much anymore. I catch myself pondering my answer, “Am I really, okay?”

Some people know better and ask, “Really, how are you?” I don’t mind going into more detail, but it changes the tone of the conversation, and most are don’t feel comfortable with that, so “Okay” is good enough. I’m glad.

The reality is something is off, something is not like it was, my (our) world has changed. Life is not the same and will never be the same, and I try every day to remember that it’s okay.

Most of the time, I can go about my day and do what I need to do. But when the pace slows, when I’m sitting at a traffic light or standing by a gas pump, and in my quiet moments of reading and journaling and having my morning coffee, there is no escaping the haunting reality that something is off.  

Life today is not what I expected. It is not anything like I had imagined. I never asked for life to take this turn of events. But it has happened, and I am dealing with it as best as I can. There are good days. I won’t say normal days, but good days. And there are some tough days. But we go forward dealing with the day before us, doing what we can and enjoying the moment even though something’s off.

Something is off, but that’s okay. 

[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.