A Norvell Note

April 27, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 17

We Did It Again

We did it again. Once more, we, some of the descendants of Floyd and Agnes Mangum, traveled several miles to attend a family reunion. Traveling those miles allowed us to spend a few hours sharing memories, looking at photos, remembering those no longer with us, and honoring the heritage these two left us. 

We have had larger groups, and eventually, we will have smaller groups, although we don’t want to think about it; one day, there will be no more earthly reunions. But for now, if we can, we will do whatever we can to be together. 

Why? Why does my family, and many of you, observe these rituals? 

We do it because we are family. We are bound together by blood or by heart. We were born into the family, or we were adopted into the family. Either way, we are connected in a way that sometimes defies logic and may not make sense to those outside the family. 

We do it because we are grateful. We are thankful for our common history. We appreciate those who have gone before us and taught us important life lessons, like loving God with all our hearts and loving our neighbors as ourselves. We do it to encourage each other to do good, love mercy, and walk humbly with the Lord. 

We do it simply because we enjoy each other and want to be together as much as possible. We cherish the shared memories and long to make new ones. We realize we are blessed to have been born into our family and can’t imagine any other life. 

Finally, we do it because we have experienced enough loss that we know we must take life for granted. We have today. We live now. So, we travel, sacrifice, share, gather, and pray that we leave a legacy for those who come after us that is worth remembering and following. 

We did it again, and if possible, we will do it again next year.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

April 20, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 16

He Did It!

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:8-10)

When these women reached the disciples, I cannot imagine them calmly saying, “Greetings, brothers and sisters, we have something important to share about our Lord, whom some witnessed dying on the cross three days ago. We went to the tomb, but He was not there. At first, we were confused, sad, and afraid, but then we spent a few minutes with Him and explained what had happened. He instructed us to return to you and give you a detailed account of what happened.” 

No, I imagine them rushing in, out of breath, saying, “HE DID IT!”

Everything changed in that instant. Everything. 

Because I believe He did that, countless times I have said, “He did it!” as I realize that He did something in my life that He assured me He would do. 

When I am lonely and realize He is with me, I should say, “He did it!” He said, “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5)

 When I am afraid and confused, I remember what He said, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10) He did it!

When I feel weak and discouraged, I recall His promise, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6) He did it!

Of course, there are times when I pray, and nothing appears to happen—only silence. But even in those times, I remember His words. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:10). “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4) He did it!

He did it! That is the message of the empty tomb. He did it then, and He still does it today. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

April 13, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 15

Full of Hope

It was great to be in Hope, Arkansas, again this weekend. The visit was for my fifty-fifth high school reunion. We had a wonderful time reminiscing, sharing stories, and enjoying each other’s company. 

Driving home, I reflected on how much hope I have. I grew up in Hope, Arkansas, graduated from Hope High School, and am a Hope Hospice chaplain. When we adopted our two cats in the early stages of COVID-19, we named one Hope. I have Hope all around me and deep within me. 

More importantly than where I grew up, went to school, and where I work, I have been filled with a strong sense of hope in my life because of my faith in God, His spirit living in me, and the reality of Jesus Christ deep in my soul. 

I have hope during the darkest days and nights because I know God is with me and will never leave me. 

I continue to have hope that the future is bright when the world appears to be crazy around me because I know God has always sustained me and provided for me.

I have hope because I know that God is transforming me into the image of His Son. Although that process is sometimes confusing and painful, it will be worth it in the end.

I am, always have been, surrounded by people of hope. I serve the God of hope. And He has planted within the living spirit of Hope. 

I am full of hope. 

A Norvell Note ^© Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

April 6, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 14

Words Don’t Come Easy

As you might imagine, I think about words often. I regularly pray, “Lord, give me words.” When I preached full-time, I would say, “Lord, speak to me, then speak through me.” Most of the time, words come, but sometimes not so effortlessly.

Words don’t come easy when explaining why you must explain why you must move to another city. 

Words don’t come easy when your daughter comes home with a broken heart.

Words don’t come easy when your son’s hero falls off the pedestal.

Words don’t come easy when the doctor says your child has cancer. 

Words don’t come easy when your son gets a rejection letter from the college of his dreams.

Words don’t come easy when your fiancé says he has changed his mind about marrying you. 

Words don’t come easy when you thought the job was in the bag, but it wasn’t. 

Words don’t come easy when your mother gets sick and you become the primary caregiver.

Words don’t come easy when the word dementia enters the conversation. 

Words don’t come easy when you sit beside a husband as he says goodbye to his wife of sixty years. 

Sometimes words don’t come easy. In those times, we can trust that the Spirit of God knows us and understands what is in our hearts. 

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people by the will of God.” (Romans 8:26,27, NIV)

Lord, give me words. 

A Norvell Note ^© Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved