A Norvell Note

November 28, 2022 – Vol. 26 No. 38

The Moment That Could Not Last

From the soundtrack of A River Runs Through It, one 84-second excerpt always catches my ear and takes me to another place. The name of the piece is The Moment That Could Not Last. Every time it plays, I pause, time stands still, and reflect on moments that could not last. 

When my wife and I were dating and in the early days of marriage there were moments that I wanted to last. The first time we kissed. The first time we said I love you. Our first Christmas and anniversary. The birth of our children we held them for the first time. I wanted those moments to last forever. But those moments did not and could not last. As they have grown and become parents themselves there have been more moments than I can recall that could not last. 

There have been moments in ministry that no matter how much I wanted them to last, they could not. There were the Saturday night devotionals around the campfire when we sang and never got tired. There was the worship assembly where God’s Spirit was active. There were weddings that I officiated and saw the look on the groom’s face when his bride came into his view. There were the meals with friends when we cried because we did not know when or if we would see each other again. 

I could also include holidays and vacations with my family, coffee with a friend, standing by the ocean at sunset, golf on a beautiful day, time with our grandchildren, watching my kids play sports or perform on stage, and ordinary times with people I love. All were moments I wanted to last but could not.

Every time it plays, I pause, time stands still, and reflect on moments that could not last. Sometimes I weep. Sometimes I smile. Sometimes I play the song again and wish those moments could have lasted and thank God for those moments that could not last. 

I treasure those moments that could not last, and I long for more.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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A Norvell Note

November 14, 2022 – Vol. 26 No. 36

Expressing Your Gratitude

For many, Thanksgiving is the most enjoyable time of the year. Unless we complicate it, it can be simple and calm. Family and friends gather to enjoy a delicious meal, renew friendships, and share memories as you make new memories. You love your life and have no trouble expressing your gratitude.

For all of us, Thanksgiving is an opportunity to count our blessings and express our gratitude to God, the people God has put into our lives, and all our physical blessings. Life is good for you, and you have no trouble expressing your gratitude.

For others, Thanksgiving is a difficult time of the year. The day marks the beginning of the holiday season shifting into high gear and we are reminded of those who are no longer with us. The pain of the empty chair at the table is too much for some. It is difficult but you do your best to express your gratitude. 

And for many others, Thanksgiving is a season of endurance. You are away from home, and your loved ones, and you realize they are making new memories without you. This is the first holiday you will spend without your mother, dad, brother, sister, son, or daughter, but they are on the other side of the world serving in the military, on the mission field, or providing for your family. Your life is hard; you are all alone and miserable. Someone you love with all your heart is sick and you try as hard as you can, but expressing your gratitude is not something you can do.

Regardless of where you are this Thanksgiving season, I offer this prayer. 

Father, please listen to my heart for I do not how to express the gratitude I feel in my heart. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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For past articles, go here:  A Norvell Note

A Norvell Note

November 14, 2022 – Vol. 26 No. 36

Thank you,

Dear Readers, 

Thank you for taking the time to read this Note, and for any other times, you have taken a few minutes out of your day to read my thoughts about Jesus, God’s love, observations about nature, people, places, and ponderings. 

Thank you for reading and tolerating the times when I have whined about my life. Most of the time I am aware of how blessed I am now and have been throughout my life. 

Thank you for the weeks when you could not make sense of my words, but you kept reading and came back the next week.

Thank you for your kind and gracious comments that mean more than you can imagine.

Thank you for sharing your stories and letting me know when my words touched your heart or struck a nerve.

Thank you for giving me grace when you disagreed with my thoughts, opinions, or views. 

Thank you, especially over the last eighteen months, for how you have expressed your concern for our family through your notes, emails, texts, and prayers. And thank you for the comfort I feel in knowing that you will continue to cover us with prayer.

Thank you for reading A Norvell Note.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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For past articles, go here:  A Norvell Note

A Norvell Note

November 7, 2022 – Vol. 26 No. 35

Moving Stories

By moving stories I’m not referring to stories about dogs being rescued from deplorable and abusive situations, or dogs running for help because their master is trapped in a mineshaft under a fallen tree. I’m not going to tell a story about a football player that had never played a down all year but gets in the game and makes the play that allows his team to win the championship. I have nothing against dogs or those tear-jerking stories, but those are not the moving stories I have in mind. 

I’m talking about real moving stories, stories that happen while moving from one house to another. 

For instance, have you ever noticed that your possessions seem to multiply when you start packing for a move? No matter how much you think you have downsized and discarded, you pack and load, load, and pack, then you look in a closet and see boxes and bags and clothes you do not recognize.

And what about, when you finally get everything out of storage and into your house and you look in your garage and wonder where did all this stuff come from, and what you are we going to do with it?

And then, when the new refrigerator is finally delivered, and you start removing the plastic protective coating, Styrofoam, and tape and you notice that there are little circular stickers on every tray and glass shelf. You struggle to pull one off and read what it says, “Please remove.” It is written in four languages. 

Finally, you are in your new home. You have time to sit, relax, and reflect on this latest move, and all the other moves you made through the years. The memories start flooding in. You remember the dreams you had with each move, you remember the laughter and the tears, you remember the meals you shared with each other and with guests, the conversations you had. Then, you look around your new place, take a deep sigh, and pray: “Lord, thank You for the blessing of this house, and help us fill this home with love, gentleness, kindness, and lots and lots of grace for each other and all who enter our door.” 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2022 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

To follow updates on Junie, go here: welovejunieblue

For past articles, go here:  A Norvell Note