A Norvell Note for March 28, 2022  

Vol. 26 No. 13

Learn To Let Go

“THIS IS A TIME IN YOUR LIFE WHEN YOU MUST LEARN TO LET GO: of loved ones, of possessions, of control.” (Jesus Calling, March 24)

I agreed. I sighed. I groaned. I laughed. I thought: this is a time to learn to let go? I do not remember when I wasn’t learning to let go. To live is to learn to let go.

The moment we were born, we started learning to let go of the safety and security of our mother. So likewise, the moment our children are born, we begin letting them go.

As soon as we possess, or think we own, an item or a gift, we learn that eventually, we will need to let go of it. But unfortunately, the reality of life is that nothing lasts forever. Homes and automobiles can be burned or ripped apart by the wind. Our favorite jeans eventually wear out. Sadly our most comfortable shoes reach a point of no repair. Precious jewels lose their shine or may be lost or stolen. Relationships change and sometimes end. 

Jesus told a story of a wise man who built his house on the rock (Matthew 7) to remind us that everything changes. Likewise, in the Old Testament, the book of Job is the story of a man who lost everything only to learn that he had the one thing that mattered most and did not change: his relationship with God. 

Everything changes, and we are constantly learning to let go. Except for one thing. The March 24 entry from Jesus Calling also included these words: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

Jesus Christ does not change. God the Father is always the same. The Spirit of God is always with us. Our understanding varies. Our knowledge matures and evolves, but He never changes. 

Birthdays, anniversaries, the change of seasons, and the aging process remind us that this is a time when we must learn to let go. As challenging and often painful as the process is, we have the assurance that we are not alone.  

“For I am the Lord, your God,

         who takes hold of your right hand

         and says to you, Do not fear;

         I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.  

A Norvell Note for March 21, 2022  

Vol. 26 No. 12

There Is No Law

Growing up with two brothers and a sister, we occasionally got on each other’s nerves when one of us would do something that annoyed the others. When a request (demand) to “Stop it!” A typical response would be. “Can’t make me! Ain’t no law against it!” The argument rarely ended there. 

Similar, but not so childish, arguments continue today.

“Can’t make me wear a mask! Ain’t no law against it” “Can’t stop me from wearing a mask. Ain’t no law against it!” 

“Can’t make me go to church. I can worship at home. Ain’t no law against it!”

“Can’t make me act nice. I can be unkind if I want to. Ain’t no law against it!”

“Can’t stop me from attacking Ukraine. I’m a dictator. Ain’t no law against it!” 

Arguments about what’s is against the law will continue, but I was thrilled when I learned there is a list of actions against which there is no law. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

There is no law against love. You can love as much as you want and no stop you. 

There is no law against joy. You can be as joyful as you like. There is no law against it. 

You can be as peaceful and spread peace wherever you go. No one can stop you. 

There ain’t no law against patience. You can be as patient as you want. 

Go ahead, be kind. We need more kindness. Live it up. Go crazy with kindness. 

Be good. Demonstrate goodness. Spread goodness everywhere you go. 

Be faithful. There is no limit to your faithfulness to God and people

Gentleness has no restriction. Be gentle. Please be gentle. We need as much gentleness as we can get. 

Don’t let anyone tell you not to practice self-control. Self-control is up to you. Only you can control your self-control.

Feel free to practice any of these spiritual gifts as much as possible. However, if someone tells you to stop, tell them with gentleness and kindness, “You can’t make me. There ain’t no law against it.” 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.  

A Norvell Note for March 14, 2022

Vol. 26 No. 11

Six Months

A year ago, we had no idea what was ahead. Now we struggle to accept what happened. It’s been six months. Has it been six months? Has it only been six months? 

We were at the beach a year ago, and everyone was healthy. Our concerns were the weather, our next meal, and watching the children play in the surf.

Two months later, our world changed forever, and as we changed our clocks this weekend, I wished the clocks would have stopped a year ago, and we could have stayed at the beach. But of course, I know we can’t. 

There are difficult days, and there are less difficult days. Some days almost seem normal. But then again, we are not sure what normal is. Yet, with God’s help and loving, caring people surrounding us, we go on. We wake up, collect our thoughts, and move through our days and nights as best we can. Then, we start over the next day. 

We are moving through the necessary grief work in our way and at our own pace. When we think we are at a good place, a song will play, a photograph will appear on a screen, or memory will flash across our minds. It’s been six months, but sometimes it feels like it is September 10 again. 

If you, or someone you know, has experienced a loss, you can be sure they have tough days, even if they tell you otherwise. If they want to talk, listen. If they don’t want to speak, accept that, give them space. Let them know you are available but respect their boundaries. Pray for them. 

It’s been six months since our family lost Norah. It’s hard to believe it’s been six months. It’s hard to believe it’s been only six months. We miss Norah every day, and with God’s help and the help of friends and family, we will keep going. Thank you for your prayers and gentle, loving support. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.  

A Norvell Note for March 7, 2022  

Vol. 26 No. 10

There Is No One Like Bill Alliston

“There is no one like Bill Alliston.” That’s how his daughter described him in the post she shared after his sudden passing. (@amac70) All who knew Bill would agree. 

I was a college student at Arkansas State University and involved in the Church of Christ Student Center (now #wolflifecampusministry). Bill and his family were also involved in the ministry. I don’t remember the exact time or circumstances that brought us together, but I soon became a part of the Alliston family. It was and is an abundant gift from God. 

Bill (and his family) made an indelible impression as a college student, as I became a part of a group from church that sang for weddings and funerals. I ate meals and spent countless nights in their home (including the night before our wedding). I drank coffee and ate Dixie’s Apple Pie with them. I was in their home when they brought Nathan home. We laughed a lot. 

Much of the laughter came because Bill was a great storyteller and could tell jokes as well anyone I’ve ever known. Some were not repeatable. He enjoyed life and wanted others to enjoy it too. I can still hear him laugh after he smacked my head with a brush as he cut my hair. He was a master of sarcasm.

Bill was kind and generous. He loved people and wanted people to love him. I was a recipient of his kindness, generosity, and love. He was intelligent, and it seemed that he liked for people to know it. He was complicated, and I think he enjoyed his complexity.

As often happens, we eventually moved in different directions and followed different paths. As a result, our times together became fewer, and our communications became less. But the love has remained. 

The last time I saw Bill, his daughter and son-in-law brought him to hear me preach one Sunday morning. I was honored. As I said goodbye to him that day, I thought I probably would never see him again due to his health issues, distance, and time. I did not. Like others who have passed from this life, he continues to live with gratitude and love in my heart. I am blessed. 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 13)

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.