A Norvell Note

Vol. 27 No. 38                   September 25, 2023

I Wish I Had Words

I wish I had words that could take away the pain of a broken heart.

I wish I had words that could reduce a parent’s fear when they hand the car keys to their teenager for the first time. 

I wish I had words to assure the wife whose husband suffered a heart attack that he would be okay. 

I wish I had words to comfort the little boy who just learned that his parents are getting a divorce. 

I wish I had words that could settle the arguments and resolve the conflicts between the political factions within our government.

I wish I had words to calm the tension between husbands and wives and parents and children.

I wish I had words to convince people that we will be alright no matter how much confusion and unrest there is in the world. 

I wish I had words to encourage the discouraged, comfort the hurting, 

I wish I had words to the skeptic that God is real and loves us all. 

I wish I had words to relieve your guilt, accept His forgiveness, and restore your joy. 

I wish I had words to do all those things, but I don’t. So, I will remind you of Jesus’ words.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2023 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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A Norvell Note

Vol. 27 No. 37                   September 18, 2023

What To Do

“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” (Psalm 37:3)

These are simple instructions that I may not always follow, but at least I know what to do. 

When someone annoys me and gets on my nerves, I do good.

When I face a significant decision, I do good. 

When my family needs me, I do good. 

When my friends need me, I do good. 

When a stranger needs me, I do good. 

When co-workers need me, I do good.

When tempted to do something that’s not good, I do good.

When I want to get revenge, instead, I do good.

When I am unsure what to do, I do good. 

When it is the easy thing to do, I do good. 

When it’s not easy to do, I do good. 

When I am wondering what to do, I just do good. 

Ask the Lord to show you when, where, and how to do good. Then, go and do good. Then, enjoy your life. 

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. 36                   September 11, 2023

Where Were You

I cannot help but hear Alan Jackson singing, Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning).

If you were alive and old enough to know what was happening, you probably remember exactly where you were on September 11, 2001. The fear, the shock, the horror, and the pure sadness of that day linger twenty-two years later. 

There are days that we will never forget. 

Two years ago yesterday, Norah breathed her last breath. We celebrated her life with family and friends by enjoying a walk, eating chicken nuggets, drinking milkshakes, sharing memories, and trying not to cry. 

You have those days as well. Not all are sad memories—the birth of our children. We remember graduations. We remember engagements and weddings. We watch our children walk into their school for the first time and walk out on their last day. 

Some days we will never forget. Some people we will never forget. 

Remember those days. Enjoy them if you can. Endure them if you must. Move on as best you can. Live each day to the fullest. 

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12)

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2023 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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For past articles, go here:  A Norvell Note.

Vol. 27 No. 35                   September 4, 2023

Take a Minute

The room is tense. Emotions are running high. Everyone shouts their opinions. Tempers are hot. Suddenly, someone speaks above the noise, “Hey, let’s just take a minute.” 

The room goes silent and still. Everyone takes a few deep breaths. The meeting moves forward with respect and civility. 

Maybe you’ve been in a similar meeting or family discussion and appreciated someone who dared to speak up. “Let’s just take a minute.”

Maybe it wasn’t a meeting with others, but it happened in your mind. You wake up in the middle of the night with chaos in your mind. One voice reminds you of things you must do today, and another points out things you should have done yesterday. A third shouts about your financial situation, and others scream accusations and criticisms you can’t understand. Finally, a calming voice says, “Take a minute.”

You take a minute. Take some deep breaths. Calm your mind, your heart, and your soul. You fall back to sleep.

I suspect, in one form or another, those scenarios play out in all of us occasionally. Physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. When it happens, take a minute. Take a breath or two. Take a walk. Calm your mind, your heart, and your soul.

Take a minute. Ask the Lord to take the craziness away.

Once, the disciples of Jesus were in a boat when a storm was about to overtake them. Somehow, Jesus was sleeping through it. So, they woke him up. He was calm and said, “Take a minute,” and said to the storm, “Quiet! Be still.” They were amazed. 

Today may be the perfect time for you to take a minute. Maybe you’ll be amazed. 

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2023 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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For past articles, go here:  A Norvell Note.