A Norvell Note

November 24, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 46

Different Thanksgiving Days

This week begins with me looking forward to the family gathering on Thanksgiving Day. There will be good food and conversation, children enjoying the day and getting frustrated when things do not go their way, laughter, and possibly tears. We will share memories, photographs, plans, and reasons to be thankful.

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving Day, but I am also thinking about families who will have a different experience. I know two wives who will have an empty chair at their table. 

Some families will be together physically but miles apart emotionally.

Other families will sit at the same table sharing memories, but the grandmother will not recognize their faces or understand their stories. 

Some families will share the day through long-distance phone calls or video chats due to their military service.

Some will celebrate, and some will mourn. Some people will share their blessings, and some will live through another holiday of pain and regret.

We are all different, going through life at various speeds, directions, and paths. Our Thanksgiving Days will not be the same, but I will pray the same prayer for us all: May we find love, joy, peace, and many reasons to be thankful. 

A Norvell Note ^© Copyright 2024 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

A Norvell Note

November 17, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 45

Ready for Joy

Maybe it’s just me, but the Christmas lights and home decorations appeared earlier this year. I have gotten used to seeing Christmas commercials on television, hearing Christmas music, and seeing displays in stores in September and October. But I do not recall seeing so many homes lit up before Halloween and mid-November as I’ve seen this year. Perhaps my memory is failing me, or is there another reason? 

I do have a theory. It is an untested, non-scientific, and unproven theory that exists only in my mind. We are ready for joy. 

The first ten-and-a-half months of 2024 have been long and hard. There have been brief seasons of joy, but confusion, stress, and sadness have dominated and often controlled our thoughts. 

Hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods have wiped out communities. Wars and threats of war have often been the lead story of the daily news. The presidential campaign and election were ugly and divisive. Many people have lost loved ones to diseases, accidents, and senseless shootings. As I described in last week’s Note, we have been on a roller coaster ride of emotions. 

We are ready for joy. 

If you are ready for joy, think about people you love and bring you joy. (Philippians 1:3)

If you are ready for joy, encourage the people around you to be like-minded and be one in spirit and love. (Philippians 2:2)

If you are ready for joy, forget the past and move toward your goals. (Philippians 3:10-14)

If you are ready for joy, remember that the Lord is near, be gentle, and think about positive things. (Philippians 4:4-9)

If you are ready for joy, go ahead and turn on the Christmas music and decorate your house. Who cares if it’s a little early? 

We are ready for joy. 

A Norvell Note ^© Copyright 2024 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

A Norvell Note

November 10, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 44

Emotional Roller Coaster

I have been on an emotional roller coaster for the last few weeks.

There was a point when I thought this was going to be the year that the Boston Celtics won the National Basketball Championship and the New York Yankees would win the World Series. Then, the 5^th inning of the 5^th game of the series happened. 

There was a planned surgery for our granddaughter, but the surgery will come later due to a rash. She, her parents, and all the rest of us must wait with her. She had another scan. The anticipation of a scan always produces anxious days and nights. When we hear, “The scans are clear.” We express praises and thanksgiving. 

The election provided an emotional roller coaster all its own. Anticipation. Hope. Dread. Confidence. Anger. Elation. Sadness. Despair. Confusion. Disbelief. Hope. 

A few days off work and time with long-time friends. Happiness. Joy. Appreciation. Love. Tears. Nostalgic conversations. Laughter. Calm sighs of delight. Then, as the visitation came to an end came tears, sadness, expressions of love, and regret that our time together had to end. 

Emotions are okay. Emotions fill our hearts, and tears fill our eyes. Emotions are okay for women and men. Emotions are okay and good, and appropriately sharing them is a healthy practice. 

Expressing your emotions is healthier than bottling them up or treating them like they do not exist. Find someone to talk with about what you are feeling. Write them down and name them.

Emotions are gifts from God and give us a way of communicating with Him. They help us understand life so we can share life with the people we love.

Someone once told me feelings and emotions are not right or wrong. They just are. 

There will be more emotional roller coasters this week and throughout our lives. Don’t be afraid to express your emotions in healthy ways. There is a real possibility you are not the only person on that same ride. You may be the one to help them deal with those feelings. 

A Norvell Note ^© Copyright 2024 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

A Norvell Note

November 3, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 43

Trust God

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. (Psalm 20:7)

The only answer I can offer to many people’s questions is, “Trust the Lord.” 

To the gentleman who feels his life is over and cannot understand why the Lord is keeping him here, I say, “I think we need to trust that the Lord knows what He’s doing, and He must have a reason, even though we don’t know what that reason is.”

To the college students stressed about all their decisions about their education, careers, relationships, and the rest of their lives, I say, “Trust God to show you the way, and be patient.”

To couples struggling to keep their marriage together and are losing hope, “Do what is right and trust the Lord.” 

To the loyal company man in shock because he lost his job and asks me, “Why has this happened to me?” I can only say, “I don’t know, but we need to trust God to see you through it.”

Saying, “Trust the Lord,” may sound trite, trivial, and like a cop-out. But it’s not. When we have more questions than answers, more pain than comfort, and our faith is wavering but honest, all we can do is trust God. This week is one of those times when we need to trust God. 

A Norvell Note ^© Copyright 2024 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved