A Norvell Note

January 1, 2026 – Vol. 30 No. 01

Let’s Do It Again

In the recent movie, Jay Kelly, George Clooney’s character, reflects on his life, portraying an actor near the end of his career. As he reflects on the filming of scenes, one of the crew says, “That’s a wrap.” Jay Kelly says, “Let’s do it again.” There is a tone of sadness as he realizes he can’t change the past, but he hopes for a chance to do it again.

As a year ends and another begins, and the decades continue to pile up in my life, I confess there are more times than I can count when I said those words, “let’s do it again.” I said something stupid or hurtful, and I wish I could take it back. I made a foolish decision, and I immediately wished I could do it over. 

As much as I wish I could have another chance to do it again, to make up for all the mistakes and missteps, I am grateful that, at the end of every day, week, and year, I can start over. Because of the grace and mercy of our Lord, He also says, “Let’s do that again.” 

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations, 3:22-23)

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set youfree from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:1-2)

Feeling the need to do it again. Wish you could start over. There is no better time than now. Start the new year by starting over. You can do it again.

Happy New Year. I love you, 

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2026 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

December 21, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 48

A Simple Prayer

Let us be people of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

I don’t know what else to say. 

I love you, 

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

December 14, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 47

Give and Receive

The church promotes the event as an “act of service – an opportunity to give to those in need.” We had participated before and enjoyed it, so we put our names on the list to be greeters. We were to meet a family, walk with them as they selected a coat, take a family photo, help them get a name tag, and then escort them to the dining area.

The total time, including travel, was about 90 minutes. Little did I know that this “act of service” would bring me so much more than I gave. 

I introduced myself to the mother and her two children as we headed to the coat room. The room was packed with mothers and fathers searching through the coats piled high on tables, sorted by size. I stood by with a bag to hold their coats once selected. That’s when she (the little girl) found her coat. The lady assisting her handed her a pink jacket just her size. The look on her face when she turned around to show her mom was priceless. My heart “grew three sizes that day.”

Her smile spread across her face, her eyes could not have opened any wider, and she said, “Mom, I want this one!” The smile on her mother’s face was just as big. The lump in my throat also “grew three sizes that day.”

I have long known that “it is better to give than receive” (Acts 20:35), and this experience has reminded me that often when you give, you also receive.

I love you, 

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note

December 7, 2025 – Vol. 29 No. 46

Maybe It’s Not Your Fault

“There’s a certain peace that shows up when you stop turning every inconvenience into a personal failure. Sometimes things go wrong because life is messy – not because you’re doing anything wrong. Once that clicks, the world feels a lot less hostile.” (Unknown) 

Stuff happens. We make mistakes. We all mess up. We all get it wrong sometimes. When you do something wrong, admit it and take responsibility. But it is not healthy for you to assume that you’re doing anything wrong. 

There is no reason for you to believe that getting sick or having a medical condition is somehow your fault.

If your school calls to tell you that your child is sick, it’s not your fault; they were not ill when you dropped them off.

There is no reason for you to internalize layoffs, rejected proposals, or shifts in company direction. 

There is no need for you to feel responsible when someone else is upset, angry, or disappointed, even if you don’t cause their feelings.

Don’t blame yourself for situations like someone spilling a drink near you or a power outage ruining your plans.

Don’t assume that every argument, breakup, or friendship drift is because you did something wrong.

Why should you feel guilty when a child struggles in school, or a family member is having a hard time, if it’s outside your control?

Sometimes we miss opportunities, but blaming yourself for not being in the right place at the right time, as if you could have predicted or controlled everything, does not help.

Recognizing these tendencies can help you separate what is truly your responsibility from what is simply life being messy.

“By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. “(1 John 3:19-20 (ESV)

I love you, 

Tom

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2025 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved