A Norvell Note

Vol. 27 No. 30                                     For the week of July 31, 2023

I Am With You

When you wake in the morning, I am with you. 

When you eat your breakfast, I am with you.

When you get ready for work, I am with you.

When you go to work or school, I am with you.

When you go through your daily activities, I am with you.

When you interact with your family and friends, I am with you.

When you take a walk, I am with you.

When you nap by the ocean, I am with you.

When you are on top of the mountain, I am with you.

When you are on top of the world, I am with you.

When the bottom falls out of your world, I am with you.

When your heart is full of joy, I am with you.

When your heart is breaking, I am with you.

When you are in a crowd, I am with you.

When you are alone, I am with you.

I am with you wherever you go, whatever you do, whatever is happening.

I hope you hear me, I hope you believe me, and I hope you always know that I am with you. 

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2023 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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  A Norvell Note

Vol. 27 No. 29                                     For the week of July 24, 2023

A Sparrow and A Grasshopper

As I approached my car in the parking lot, I noticed a sparrow diving over the top of the car and down the side back and forth. I asked, “Little bird, what are you doing on this hot afternoon.” I noticed a hefty grasshopper on the roof’s edge just above the passenger door when I got nearer. This yellow and green grasshopper looked very tasty to the little bird; however, he (or she) was almost 3 inches long. Not much smaller than the sparrow. “Little sparrow,” I said, “You sure are brave!” 

The sparrow felt very confident in its hunting ability, and I imagined it saying to itself, “Wow! Wait until the other birds see what I’m bringing for lunch.” The scenario continued until I started the engine and pulled away. 

As I exited the parking lot, I wondered if the sparrow had heard someone quote Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.” And thought, “Lord, you’ve outdone Yourself today!” And if the grasshopper had heard the same thing and thought, “I’m not worried.” 

Then, I thought about the car I drive, the food I eat, the water I drink, the salary I receive, the house where I live, the medical care I receive, and the community of family and friends who love me. I thanked Him. 

I realized that, like the sparrow, sometimes I bite off (or try to) more than I can chew. The Lord gives me the confidence to try. Like the grasshopper, sometimes I am confronted with danger (often, I’m not even aware of it), but the Lord protects me and keeps me from harm. 

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2023 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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  A Norvell Note

Vol. 27 No. 28                                     For the week of July 17, 2023

That’s Enough for Today

Some days I look at all the tasks I have added to my schedule with confidence that I will accomplish everything. Then, I look at my week, and all the days with all the tasks, and with self-assurance, I take a deep breath, knowing I get it all done. 

At the end of the day, I look at the list of tasks left undone, and disappointment fills my worn-out mind. In that quiet moment, I hear Jesus say, “That’s enough for today.”

As the days become a week and that nightly ritual repeats, I reflect on what I did and did not accomplish. I hear I again hear Jesus say, “That’s enough for this week.” 

As you begin another week of activity, make your schedule, and list the duties for the day. Be confident that you will complete most of them. But if you review and discover you did not meet some obligations, be kind to yourself and listen for Jesus to say, “That’s good enough for today.” 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2023 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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Vol. 27 No. 27                                     For the week of July 10, 2023

Where Is the Sting?

For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 

⁵⁵ “Where, O death, is your victory?
    Where, O death, is your sting?” 

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1Corinthians 15:53-58)

I have read this passage to provide comfort and consolation to many people, including myself, facing the victory and sting of death as a reminder that when this life ends, it really isn’t the end. I know it is true. I know that through Jesus, there is victory. Yet sometimes, I think death has won the victory, and I feel the sting of death. 

I feel that death has won the victory when death keeps taking people I love. I feel that death has won the victory when there seems to be no end to death. I think death has won the victory when there is another cancer diagnosis or one has lost the ability to remember, speak, comprehend, or recognize the face of a loved one. 

I feel the sting of death every time I see the tears of a daughter as she says goodbye to her mother and a mother who says goodbye to her daughter. I feel the sting of death when I hear a grown man describe his father as “He was the best man I’ve ever known.” The sting of death is in the tears of a spouse as she says, “I miss him so much.” 

Sometimes, death appears victorious, and the sting feels natural, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2023 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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  A Norvell Note

Vol. 27 No. 26                                     For the week of July 3, 2023

Let’s Celebrate!

If we focus too much on what is happening and the events in the world that we can see and hear that frustrate, discourage, and disappoint us, we may miss the good things happening around us. I understand that it is not and will not be easy. It takes being intentional in our thinking and determined in our reflections. I am writing to myself as much as anyone. 

If we focus too much on the sadness and disappointment of life, we may miss the joy and happiness that God places all around us.

If we give too much attention to the unrest and disturbances around us, we may overlook the times of rest and peace God gives us. 

If we allow our brokenness and failures to overwhelm us, we may lose sight of the goodness that God has placed within us.

If we see only the death and loss that is all around us, we may miss the life of abundance that God has given us. 

If we only see the negative and all that is wrong, we may miss the opportunities to celebrate. 

Let’s celebrate!

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
Worship the Lord with gladness;
    come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the Lord is God.
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
    and his courts with praise;
    give thanks to him and praise his name.

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever;
    his faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100)

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2023 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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For past articles, go here:  A Norvell Note.