Monthly Archives: February 2023

Not Too Seriously

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A Norvell Note

February 27, 2023 – Vol. 27 No. 09

Not Too Seriously

According to the Enneagram, my personality type is an improver (some call it perfectionist). As an improver, I believe there is a right way to do things and a wrong way. Since I discovered this about myself, I have tried to be aware of these tendencies, and I think I have improved on trying to make everyone do things my way instead of the wrong way. 

However, there’s much work when it comes to me. I am very aware of my mistakes and failures. And daily, I ask what I can do to live better, be better, treat people better, and be a better follower of Jesus. Admittedly it can be wearisome, but I am learning that it is okay for others to see and do things differently. 

One practice that is helping me is reading this passage often. I’m sharing it here from TheMessage because of the simple and plain language and because it reminds me that although I can continually improve on how I practice it, I really cannot improve on what God wants me to do. So when I read it, God says, “Tom, relax. You know what to do. Just do it.” 

But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,
    what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
    be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—
    take God seriously. (Micah 6:8, The Message)

After reading it multiple times, I always sense Him pausing before the last two lines and saying, “Tom, don’t take yourself too seriously—take Me seriously. Yes, life is serious, but you’ve got this.”

Maybe you need to read those words too. Perhaps you take yourself too seriously and think it is your responsibility to keep the world spinning. Or perhaps you don’t take yourself or God seriously enough. Maybe you should hear the Lord say, “Don’t take yourself too seriously—take Me seriously. Be fair and just with your neighbor be compassionate and loyal in your love. You’ve got this.”

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2023 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

To follow updates on Junie, go here: welovejunieblue

For past articles, go here:  A Norvell Note.

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Just Be Kind

February 20, 2023 – Vol. 27 No. 08

Just Be Kind

We talk a lot about kindness. We chose kindness as their word for the year, printed it on shirts and hats, plastered it on our car’s bumper, and tattooed it on their body. Galatians 5 lists kindness as one of the fruits of the Spirit. We think about kindness and talk about it, but is it part of who we are? Here are a few situations where I need to be kind or wish others would be kind. 

When you tell someone, you will call them, call them. It’s the kind thing to do. However, be thoughtful when someone tells you they will contact you and they don’t. 

Show up when you say you will meet with someone, be there. It’s the kind thing to do. If you can’t make it, let the person know. Likewise, be kind when someone tells you they will meet you at a specific time but miss the appointment. 

Do what you say you will do. Keep your promise. Keeping your commitment is a kind thing to do. If you can’t keep your promise, let the person know and apologize. Be kind when someone fails to keep a promise they made to you. Remember the times you have been unable to keep a promise. 

Listen first. If someone is talking, listen first. If you walk into a room in the middle of a conversation, listen before you speak. You may not know what the people are talking about, and they may not want or need your input. It is a kind and wise thing to do. It may keep you from appearing or sounding silly. When someone is talking, listen. Don’t interrupt. It is a kind thing to do. When you interrupt someone, apologize. Let them talk. It’s a kind thing to do. 

Acknowledge people. When you are on the phone and someone needs your attention, you don’t have to stop your conversation but acknowledge them. Let them know you will be with them as soon as you can. When you need to speak to someone, but they are on the phone, wait patiently (another of the fruits of the Spirit), and don’t interrupt the person. Be kind if you feel ignored (visualize being in a restaurant). Leave if you need to, but don’t make a scene. Just be kind. 

Kindness costs us nothing and requires little other than getting past our ego and pride. Yet, we all need kindness and compassion. If you are a follower of Jesus, it is not optional. 

Just be kind.

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2023 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

To follow updates on Junie, go here: welovejunieblue

For past articles, go here:  A Norvell Note.

Hard Times and Small Potatoes

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February 13, 2023 – Vol. 27 No. 06

Hard Times and Small Potatoes

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, New International Version)

I was reminded of these words by a man wasting away and his physical world falling apart. I read more.

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, The Message)

I believe these words, I have taught these words, and I have preached these words. I have written about these words and shared them with many of you. However, sometimes I find it challenging to live as if troubles are “light and momentary” and the “hard times are small potatoes.” 

Hard times do not seem like small potatoes when I talk with a husband who watches his wife slowly wasting away, and she feels like his world is falling apart. 

Troubles do not feel light or momentary to the couple trying to keep their marriage together when they feel like their world is falling apart.

It’s hard to convince the young lady that being single and pregnant is all small potatoes. It’s equally difficult to convince her parents. 

Light and momentary troubles do not seem to fit a friend who has lived a long, good life but now wonders if his life has any real meaning. 

The daughter caring for her aged mother is not likely to say, “Ah, this is small potatoes.” 

If you listen to parents in NICU, you are not likely to hear parents saying, “No worries. These are light and momentary troubles.”

Hard times and troubles come to all of us. There are times when we can focus on the things above, realize that our crisis is temporary, and live confidently that better days are ahead. But, unfortunately, there are other times when it is not so easy. Either way, we hang on and do not lose heart. We do not give up. 

Here are two suggestions for helping people get through hard times. 

First, remember that the person going through difficult times may be unable to view them as small potatoes. Listen to them. Do not tell them to get over it, it’s no big deal, or it could be worse.  

Second, when you’re going through troubles, be kind to yourself and give yourself some grace. There is a reason they are called hard times. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Then, listen to this song and watch this video by Matthew West. It may help you keep going one more day. Wonderful Life

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2023 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

To follow updates on Junie, go here: welovejunieblue

For past articles, go here:  A Norvell Note.