A Norvell Note for April 25, 2022

Vol. 26 No. 17

Communication

Do you ever get frustrated as you share directions to your location with a friend over the phone? You know what you are saying and know all the landmarks that stand out along the path, but the friend on the other end of the call is still lost. So you try again, talking slower and then louder, but they still don’t get it. Or maybe the roles are reversed, and you are trying to understand your co-worker’s instructions on how to complete a project. To them, the instructions make perfect sense. To you, it’s gibberish—the frustration increases. 

There is a reason for the frustration. Clear and effective communication takes effort. Maybe that’s why Jesus said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 

Across the coffee shop from me, there is what appears to be a tutoring session taking place. The young lady tutoring another lady will occasionally pause, lean back in her chair, rub her eyes, and take a deep breath to say, “Why can’t you get this?” Then, a little later, she’ll smile and raise her hands in celebratory fashion, expressing, “That’s it! Good job!”

Tony Weston (college friend, fellow communications major, brother in Christ, and occasional musical partner) told this story many times during speech competitions.

An elderly gentleman and his wife were sitting on the front porch. He turned to her and said, “I’m PROUD of you, Maw!” She leaned toward him and said, “eeeehh?” He repeated, “I’m PROUD of you, Maw!” She leaned towards him again and said, “eeehh?” He repeated loudly, “I said I’m PROUD of you, Maw!” She spits on the floor and says, “I’m TIRED of you too, Paw!”

We laugh at the story, but the truth remains that clear and effective communication takes effort. 

After decades of searching for words, illustrations, practices, and styles that help transfer my thoughts so that others can receive and understand, I have collected a few insights that seem to help. 

Good intentions are not enough. “This is what I meant to say.” “I didn’t mean to say that.” Your message may be clear and concise to you, but the person sitting across from you may be hearing something different. That’s not a bad thing; it’s just reality. 

Know and pay attention to your audience. If you know and understand the people you are communicating with, you should be able to adjust your message and style, which will help them know what you are saying. 

Know what you want to say and say it. Have you ever been listening to a sermon only to realize halfway through the speaker had no idea what he was saying? 

Listen and hear what is said. Listening is an essential element in the communication process that we overlook. Listen with the intent of understanding, not just waiting for the speaker to stop talking so you can say what you want to say. Listen. 

After centuries of trying to communicate His love to the world, God eventually demonstrated it by sending His one and only Son into the world to live, die and rise from the tomb. Yet, even with that, we sometimes don’t get it. Clear and effective communication is difficult, but not impossible. It is possible. It’s worth the effort. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.  

A Norvell Note for April 18, 2022

Vol. 26 No. 16

After the Resurrection

As we move through the week after Resurrection Sunday, I pray that we will find great joy in knowing the grave was empty, and because the tomb was empty, our hope is accurate, and our victory is assured. Death has no sting. Death has no victory. 

Peace be with you. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.  

A Norvell Note for April 11, 2022

Vol. 26 No. 15

Tired But Not Done

Maybe it is a sign that I watch too much television or am just irritated by what I consider ridiculous.

• I’m tired of the green lizard.
• I’m tired of the ads supposedly staged in front of the statue of liberty. 
• I’m tired of the ads with talking buttocks. 
• I’m tired of the dancing crabs. 
• I’m tired of the bears advertising toilet paper. 
• I’m tired of the ads where animals drive cars. 

I’m not just tired of annoying television commercials.

• I’m tired of rocks hitting my windshield when I drive down the interstate.
• I’m tired of wearing masks and wondering if I should be wearing one when I’m not. 
• I’m tired of (to quote a colleague from a recent talk) acting like a victim.
• I’m tired of being intimidated by and surrendering to fear.
• I’m tired of spending so much energy on stuff, people, and proceedings that I cannot control or change. 
• I’m tired of allowing my will and desires to override God’s spirit.

Life can get wearisome. As you can tell from my list, there are times when trivial things get the best of me, and it wearies me when I allow that to happen. So, it’s the time for a change. 

So, during this week of soul searching and reflection, I acknowledge that focusing on the things that irritate and annoy me accomplishes nothing. 

I acknowledge that it prevents me from doing the good that God placed me here to do. 

I acknowledge that the good happening around me is where my focus should be. 

I further acknowledge that my issues are nothing compared to the pain and suffering of the Ukrainian people, the abuses taking place in our nation, and the sorrow of the people I love. 

I’m tired of missing opportunities to do good. 

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:9-10)

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.  

A Norvell Note for April 4, 2022

Vol. 26 No. 14

I Can’t Do It All 

I can’t do it all. I try to do it all, and I try to convince myself that I can. Sometimes I even try to convince others that I can. It is frustrating when I admit that I can’t do it all. 

I can’t work and rest at the same time. 

I can’t be young and get older at the same time. 

I can’t be at home and with my children and grandchildren simultaneously.

I can’t write an article while I watch a movie. I can, but it’s a mess. 

I try to do all these things, but I can’t.

I can’t help everyone that needs or wants my help. 

I can’t attend every friend’s funeral.

I can’t attend the wedding of all my friend’s children. 

I can’t travel to all the places I would like to. 

I can’t watch every basketball game. Almost but not quite. 

The Scripture says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” But I realize that does not mean I can do all the things I want to do. I think it means that I can do all that He wants and needs me to.

So, what do I do about the needs I see? 

Simple. I learn to accept that I can’t do everything. Ouch! 

I can pray the Serenity Prayer. 

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

I can pray this prayer: God, give me wisdom. Then, give me the wisdom to use the wisdom You give me.

I can pray this prayer: God, you have given me the ability to do many things, not everything, but many things. Thank You. Now help me look for opportunities to use the talents You have given me to do what You need me to do. Then, allow me to trust that You have equipped other people to do the other things that need to be done and be at peace. 

I can’t do everything, but I can do some things. The things that I can do, I can do in a way that no one else can. So, I need to do the things I can and do them well. 

Lord, remind me to pray these prayers and know that You will give me the opportunities, abilities, and strength to do the things I need to do.

I can’t do everything, but I can do what I can do. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

You may read past articles at A Norvell Note.