A Norvell Note

June 29, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 24

Rest. Refresh. Restore.

No alarm set. Nothing on the schedule. A short walk for breakfast. Clean up a stack of mail. The car stays in the garage—no reason to go anywhere. Ahh. A day of rest. 

There have been times in my life when I acted like I didn’t need to rest. Once in college, I took an exam after pulling an all-nighter to study for it. I could not keep my eyes open while taking the exam. I flunked the exam. 

I worked for a home insulation company. Due to the heat in the attic, we often worked at night. I recall one night when I drove from the work site to the next, about twenty miles, and didn’t remember anything about the trip. 

I’ve changed. I sometimes find that when I sit still after a full day of work, I cannot keep my eyes open. There have been occasions when I’ve been pulled into a shady space in a parking lot and enjoyed a short nap. However, I have not yet reached the stage in life when I can no longer sleep late. And I rarely go to bed before 11:00 or 12:00 o’clock. 

I no longer pull all-nighters unless it is truly necessary. If I fall asleep while watching a game, I rewind to catch what I missed. I’ve realized that genuine rest doesn’t come from extra sleep or going to bed early; instead, it comes from knowing and following Jesus. 

“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.” (Matthew 11:28-29)

I accept the fact that I need days that are low-key, calm, and unscheduled. I appreciate that Jesus took time away from the crowds so He could rest, reflect, and find refreshment for His soul. He needed time away from the arrogance and power-hungry leaders who plotted to kill Him. 

We live in a similar world of power and arrogance. We need the rest that comes from the gentle and humble heart of Jesus. I need that rest. Like it or not, you need it too. 

Our world needs us to be examples of Jesus’ gentleness.

Our communities need us to demonstrate Jesus’ humility.

We cannot do that if we are always weary and heavily burdened. Rest. Refresh. Restore your spirit. Then live like Jesus. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

June 22, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 24

It Is Well

As I almost always do when I start to write a Note, I prayed these words: Lord, what would You have me say in this Note? As a sinful man, what words do they need from me? Amid all that is going on in the world, in our nation, in our communities, and in our churches, what do people need? Immediately, these words came to mind. 

It Is Well with My Soul

Horatio G. Spafford

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!—
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.^[1]

“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)

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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^[1] The story behind the song: https://youtu.be/i5ZqcIGaKuo?si=DjaXsrLaOozNphFt

A Norvell Note

June 15, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 21

Father’s Day Memories 

Happy Father’s Day to all my fellow fathers!

I was nineteen when my dad died. I cannot conjure up a single childhood memory of him on Father’s Day. For that matter, I cannot recall a single childhood memory of Mother’s Day with my mother either. Before you judge me, can you? 

However, since I became a father, my two children have given me many fond Father’s Day memories. 

I have received coffee cups, shirts, phone calls, a surprise visit or two, meals together, and cards with hand-written notes ending with, “I love you, Dad.” There have been Father’s Day, when my children and my wife have graciously given me space to watch most, if not almost all, of the U.S. Open Golf Tournament. 

My favorite memory of being a father/dad has occurred on ordinary days other than Father’s Day. That’s the image of seeing my son and my daughter and their spouses together, loving each other, caring for each other, laughing with each other, and being there for each other. Is there a greater gift a child can give to a parent?

I love Father’s Day. I am blessed to have two wonderful children, their spouses, and grandchildren, and I thank God for the blessings they are to me. 

If you are fortunate enough to be a father, I hope you feel blessed by them, encouraged by them, and celebrated by them. If your father is still living, please take the opportunity to express your love and appreciation for him. Spend time with them. Call them. Send them a note.

And most importantly, tell them you love them. They may try to convince you that they don’t need that mushy stuff. Don’t believe them. They do need to hear those words. 

It’s Father’s Day. Make a memory. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

June 8, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 21

This Too Shall Pass

I came across this saying, “This too shall pass. It may pass like a kidney stone, but it will pass.”

That’s how life can be at times. 

Pain or sadness can come upon us swiftly and unexpectedly, altering everything in an instant. Well-meaning individuals try to comfort us with words like, “You’re going to get through this.” Some will even add, “You’re strong. You can handle this.” You hope you can get through it, and you pray you are strong. However, it is more difficult than I could have imagined. 

You were diagnosed with a frightening disease, and your doctor assures you that “It is not fatal, but the treatment and recovery will be difficult.” She is right. You do get through it, but it was not easy or pleasant.

You are struggling mentally and emotionally, and some days, you feel like you are losing your mind. Your therapist reminds you that you didn’t arrive here overnight and you won’t get through it overnight. He is right. You see improvement, but it’s a slow and grueling journey. 

You and your spouse are going through a rocky patch—experiencing sleepless nights, intense emotional conversations, and long silences. Neither of you can believe the words you are saying or hearing. After one tough “discussion,” you look at each other and agree, “We are going to get through this no matter how hard it is.”

Your job is tough. You drag yourself there, spend the day in misery, and dread returning tomorrow. Your supervisor notices the change and points out the good work you’re doing, telling you, “Just don’t give up. I’d hate to lose you.” You agree to persist but realize it’s not going to be easy.

When we go through times like this, we do well to remember: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed.” (Romans 8:18)

Max Lucado’s words were helpful to me several years ago when I was going through a difficult time that eventually passed, like a kidney stone. 

You’ll get through this.

It won’t be painless.

It won’t be quick.

But God will use this mess for good.

Don’t be foolish or naive.

But don’t despair either.

With God’s help, you’ll get through this.




From You’ll Get Through This, by Max Lucado

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved