A Norvell Note

January 30, 2023 – Vol. 27 No. 05

Beyond My Understanding

It makes no sense to me why people in the west and northwest have floods and landslides, people in the southeast get tornados, people in the southwest are experiencing drought conditions, and those who live in the northeast deal with frigid temps and snow and ice. 

I don’t know why some people are impoverished and live on the street; others have more money than they can ever spend.

I cannot comprehend how some people can endure unspeakably horrible childhood trauma yet live to praise God with unimaginable joy. But unfortunately, others with similar experiences develop callous, resentful, and ungrateful hearts.

It makes no sense that professional athletes and movie stars make millions of dollars, and police officers, teachers, social workers, and other public servants often struggle to pay their bills. 

How churches lose their way and become more about power than loving like Jesus is beyond my understanding, but I see it all too often.

And, of course, I am not sure if I will ever understand why children die of cancer. 

There may be reasonable explanations for everything I mentioned. But my finite mind is incapable of understanding these perplexities. But, should there be a time when the Lord decides I need to have a complete understanding of how He works, He will enlighten me. But, until that time, I will trust Him.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8,9)

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2023 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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A Norvell Note

January 23, 2023 – Vol. 27 No. 04

The Land of What May Be

I have been on a little journey in recent days. It’s not a journey I particularly enjoyed, nor is it one I can recommend. It is a journey I’ve tried to avoid and have cautioned many others about making. Nevertheless, against my better judgment, I have traveled into the land of what may be. 

You don’t need to remind me of Jesus’ words, “Take no thought about tomorrow,” I understand that today has enough trouble of its own. But Jesus’ words did not stop me from veering off the path of living in the. 

My journey away from living here and now was not one of wringing my hands in worry, severe panic, or paralyzing fear. Instead, my expedition took me to a place where I was trying to prepare for what may happen. 

The following may or may not be examples of where my wondering took me.

How will I respond if another friend dies? 

What are we going to do if our car breaks down?

How am I going to handle it if she does not get well?

Where will we get money to pay the bills?

The list could go on and on. How will I deal with this? What am I going to do if this happens? What am I going to do if this does not happen? What about this? What about that? 

I acknowledge that I’ve been on a journey to the land of what may or may never be. That’s the first step to getting back to reality. 

The next step is to accept that no matter how much I think about and dwell in that distant land, I have no control over what may or may not happen. All I can do is live in the moment and let tomorrow take care of itself.

Easy to say.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2023 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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A Norvell Note

January 16, 2023 – Vol. 27 No. 03

A Simple Answer

Have you ever asked a question, and by the time you got an answer, you were sorry you asked? I have. I’ve also been on the other side of that. Sometimes, someone asks me a question, and I want to impress them with my answer, so I go way overboard with too much information. You know you’ve over-answered when the questioner’s eyes glaze over, or they fall asleep. 

Sometimes, a long, drawn-out, and detailed answer is appropriate. However, I’ve discovered that simple answers are an excellent place to start. 

Psalm 15 is an example of a serious question that got a profound but straightforward answer. 

God, who gets invited
    to dinner at your place?
How do we get on your guest list?

² “Walk straight,
    act right,
        tell the truth.

^3-4 “Don’t hurt your friend,
    don’t blame your neighbor;
        despise the despicable.

⁵ “Keep your word even when it costs you,
    make an honest living,
        never take a bribe.

“You’ll never get
blacklisted
if you live like this.”

The Lord didn’t overwhelm the questioner or make him feel dumb for the asking. Instead, he gave a sincere, respectful answer to an honest, from-the-heart question.

A simple answer. That is a good idea. 

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2023 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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A Norvell Note

January 9, 2023 – Vol. 27 No. 02

Family

We look forward to times when we can be together. Then, finally, the time arrives, and we squeeze as much as possible into the few days and nights we can. We eat more than we should. We stay up later than we ought. We watch movies and games and take pictures. We get up earlier than we usually do, we talk, and we listen. We share our stories, laugh, cry, work through our differences, and appreciate our histories. We are a family. We sacrifice time, energy, and money to be with our family. 

 Why are we willing to plan, travel, change travel plans, adjust our schedules, and do all the things we do to be together?

Why? Because we are family. 

Are there things we would change? Possibly. Are there things we regret? Probably. Is it hard work? Sometimes. Is it worth it? Absolutely. 

Why? Because we are family. 

Thank You, God, for our family. 

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2023 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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A Norvell Note

January 2, 2023 – Vol. 27 No. 01

In the Beginning

It is my understanding that there are six basic emotions.

• Sadness
• Happiness
• Fear
• Anger
• Surprise
• Disgust

Add to that list these emotions. 

• Disappointment
• Grief 
• Hopelessness
• Joy
• Contentment
• Satisfaction

We feel many, if not all, of those emotions daily. Now add these self-imposed demands.

• Review of last year’s New Year’s Resolutions.
• New Year’s resolutions.
• Plans for improving yourself.
• Commitments.
• Hopes for the new year.
• Dreams you are waiting to come true. 

Put all this together, and you have a formula for an emotional overload, emotional exhaustion, and perhaps an emotional breakdown. 

What if you tried something different this year?

Just do one thing, one day at a time. 

If you want to lose weight, focus on eating healthier for one day. Then, work on it again the next day. 

If you want to work on your relationship with God, read from the Bible and reflect on one passage a day. Then, read another passage the next day.  

If you want to spend less money, spend a little less one day. Then, spend a little less money the next day.

Remember, in the beginning, God. On the first day, He created the light. Then, on the next day, He created day and night. He did one thing a day. He did not do everything all at once, so why should you?

So, do it one day. That is enough for one day. 

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2023 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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For past articles, go here:  A Norvell Note.