A Norvell Note

Vol. 27 No. 25                              For the week of June 26, 2023

Bringing Kindness to Our Relationships

We are hearing and reading a lot about kindness. The loss of kindness. The need for kindness. The value of kindness. And the desire to return to a time when kindness was every day. If we are to see a revival of a kinder world, it will begin with you, and I treat our family, friends, work associates, and strangers with kindness. 

I offer these as simple suggestions for bringing more kindness into our relationships.  

Listen. Listen first. Listen intently. Listen often. Listen without distractions. 

Call when you say you will. Visit when you say you will. Show up when you say you will. If you are running late, let your friends know. Be there when you need to. 

Do what you say you will. Be dependable. 

Say what you need to say, then stop.

Jesus said, “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” (Matthew 5:37)

I think these actions of kindness will improve our relationships and make our part of the world a better place. However, we won’t know until we try. 

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2023 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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For past articles, go here:  A Norvell Note.

  A Norvell Note

Vol. 27 No. 24                                     For the week of June 11, 2023

No More Goodbyes

I long for the day when I don’t have to say goodbye. 

I try to live and stay in the present, but the moments always end. I love my friends and family so much that it hurts when I am away from them, and I do my best to enjoy every moment I have with them. But time with them is never enough. 

I read Revelation 21:4 and try to imagine what it will be like when “He will wipe every tear from their (our) eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 

I try to imagine it but can only long for a day when I won’t have to say goodbye to my children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends. I can only long for the day when I don’t hear that another friend has died, attend another funeral, or hug someone, not knowing when or if I’ll ever see them again. 

I long for the day when there will be no more goodbyes. I don’t know what that will be like because goodbyes always come. Time with the people I love always comes to an end. Time together with family is never long enough. 

Father, forgive me for being discontent with the times you allowed me to be with my family and friends. I know You have them in Your loving arms and that You are with them when I am not. Thank you for putting them in my life, for the time I have had with them, and for the times I will have with them in this life and the next. I am grateful, but I still long for the day when I don’t have to say goodbye. 

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.

Vol. 27 No. 23                                                       June 5, 2023

No Phone

While on vacation this week, my phone stopped working. It froze, and I could not get into it to do anything. I found someone to repair it, but in the meantime, I am on an island with no way to capture the scenic images around me. I have other tools that enable me to communicate with people when needed, but it’s not the same. However, I see some benefits. 

Not having a camera forces me to stay in the moment. Instead of trying to capture the moment of the moon reflecting off the ocean, I could watch it in real time. Instead of being concerned about saving the moment for the future, I simply enjoyed the moment. 

Instead of being concerned about catching the smile on one of my granddaughter’s faces, I simply enjoyed being close enough to see the smiles. 

Being camera-less allows me to focus on the ocean breeze, the waves crashing to the shore, and the sun setting over the mountains behind me. Instead of trying to preserve the moment, I enjoy the moment. 

Not having my phone in my pocket keeps me focused on the people right in front of me instead of our conversation being interrupted or diverted by the vibration or the ding from my phone. 

Don’t misunderstand; I am not anti-device. On the contrary, I appreciate the devices that make it possible to push a button and send a message, call a friend on the other side of the world, or press another button and share these Notes. The technological tools we have at our disposal are greatly appreciated, but the people I love and the world God has created are more important. 

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.