Author: TomNorvell

A Norvell Note for the week of December 14, 2020

Vol. 23 No. 37

Your Life Matters

On the anniversary of my mother’s death – December 8, 1964 – I intentionally set aside time to reflect on what that means.

Fifty-six years ago, today, Mama died.

That means there have been 56 Christmases, 55 birthdays, and 55 Thanksgivings without her.

That means she never saw me play basketball, baseball, run track, or my feeble attempt to play football

She never met any friend, girlfriend, teacher, coach, family, or preacher who helped fill in the void left by her passing.

She never met my wife, my in-laws, my son or my daughter, my daughter-in-law, my son-in-law, or our grandchildren.

She never heard me preach, teach a class, sing a song, read even one of my articles, or receive a copy of my book.

She never visited our home, attended graduations, shared a heartbreak, heard me lament over my failures, or celebrated a victory with me.

We never shared a cup of coffee, talked about our fears, our hopes, our dreams, had a conversation about life, faith, church, religion, politics, spoke about how difficult life can sometimes be, and so many other things.

Yet, there is never a day that her influence on my life is not felt, experienced, or seen. Her short life of forty-four years made a profound and eternal impact on my sister, my two brothers, me, and countless other people.

My Mama’s life mattered. Her life still matters.

As I continued my reflections, I recalled that this verse was the basis for the first official sermon I ever preached: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10, NIV)

As I prepared that sermon, I was confident that I had enough notes to preach for at least 45 minutes. At the 11-minute mark, I realized that I had nothing more to say. So, I stopped. Maybe that was the Lord telling me that it’s not the length of the sermon, nor the years of life, that matters, but the quality that matters.

He invites us to live our lives fully and abundantly. That’s how He lived, and His life mattered. That’s how my Mama lived, and her life mattered.

Your life matters. Live it well, and your influence will last far beyond your years on this earth.

Every life matters.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

ADDENDUM: Let us also remember the 300,000 people who have died this year from the virus. Each life that mattered and they will live on through those who loved them.  

A Norvell Note forthe week of December 7, 2020

Vol. 23 No. 36

Dates We Remember

There are certain days in history that we remember exactly where we were and what we were doing.

I was in Mrs. Roger’s 5th-grade class at Guernsey School when we heard about the death of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963.

I was doing homework in my house listening to the radio on April 4, 1968, when I heard about Martin Luther King, Jr.’s fatal shooting while standing on the balcony outside his second-story room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee.

I was with high school friends on July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first human to step on the moon.

And I was in a staff meeting at the East Brainerd Church of Christ on September 11, 2001.

I was on my way home from school when I got off the bus at my Uncle Ruby and Aunt Eunice’s grocery store on December 8, 1964, when I learned that my mother had died at the age of 44. This week marks 56 years since that day. I was 11 years old.

Even if I am paying attention, that last date hits me with a wave of nostalgia and sadness. I remind myself it’s coming, I reflect on the many other mothers who have stepped in through the years to help fill that void, and I usually spend time being grateful for the life she lived and the heritage that she left me. After all this time, I still grieve a little.

Although we may not remember the exact time and place where we first heard the word “Coronavirus,” we will never forget the year 2020. We will all remember, and many will grieve.

For those who are grieving the loss of human life, I offer these reminders.

Moving through holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries for the first time is hard. Prepare yourself for some difficult days and nights. Preparing will not eliminate the pain, but it will help.

Let yourself grieve. You need to mourn. If you find yourself feeling angry, it is okay. If you feel like crying, it is okay to cry. Whatever you are feeling is okay. Let yourself feel it.

Let yourself grieve the way that is best for you. Good and well-meaning friends and family may tell you what you should do and how you should go through this time. Let them talk. Thank them. And then, do what you need to do. If they say, “I know exactly how you feel.” They probably don’t.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it. Asking for help does not mean you are a failure. It merely means you need a little help to get through a rough spell. Call a friend, visit a neighbor, spend time with family, or join a group. You do not need to go through it alone if you don’t want to.

Yes, 2020 will be a year we will always remember, but won’t it be great when we can call it a memory.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note for the week of November 30, 2020

Vol. 23 No. 35

A Time to Let Go

I have an old pair of Levi’s that are loose and frayed and worn, and now have a couple of iron-on patches. They have served me well through the years and especially during the Pandemic. But, I know the day is coming, may have already passed, when it will be time to let them go.

Our 2007 Toyota Highlander, had 8 miles on the odometer on it when I drove away from the dealership, now has almost 281,000 miles on it. Within the last year, we repaired or repaired many significant parts, the outside is scraped and scratched, and the seats are worn thin and stained. There will come a time when we will not include the Highlander in our travel plans.

I have dreamed dreams that were clear and seemingly within the realm of possibility, only to realize that they will never come true later. A successful career never materialized. The growth potential never developed. The relationship that held so much promise never evolved.

Against our will, because of the Pandemic, we have learned about letting go. We’ve let go of traditions and people who are sacred to us. We’ve let go of dreams. We’ve let go of plans. We’ve delayed graduation ceremonies and parties, reimagined wedding plans, put vacations on hold, and celebrated holiday traditions in non-traditional ways.

Life teaches us to accept that material possessions wear out, people leave us, plans can change and fall through, dreams sometimes fade, and we have to let go of them. 

The wise man who told us, “There is…a time to throw away,” also said, “There is a time to keep. [i]” So, do your best to accept the fact that letting go is a part of living a full life. It is not always easy, but acceptance is key to the process.

Then, hold on to what you can. Add another patch to those favorite jeans, as long as it is cost-effective, make those auto repairs, and keep dreams. Cherish every moment with your family and friends. Hold tight, keep it running, dream on, and live a rich life of blessings and blessing others.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

[i] Proverbs 3:6

A Norvell Note forthe week of November 23, 2020

Vol. 23 No. 34

We Can Still Be Thankful

We wear masks to protect others and ourselves, but creative people have provided colorful, unique, and safe face coverings. For these people and these masks are thankful.  

Medical professionals are still willing to risks their lives to save others’ lives; some have lost their lives. For these dedicated workers, we are thankful.

Companies have been thoughtful and innovative in developing tools and opportunities for their employees to work remotely. For this can be thankful for that.

Individuals, churches, businesses, and food banks collect and distribute tons of food and essential products to families so they will not go hungry. For these generous hearts, we are thankful. 

Nearly 100,000 small businesses have closed, millions have lost their jobs. If you are still working for this, you can be thankful.

Teachers, school administrators, and parents are learning new and creative ways to provide quality education. For dedicated teachers and determined parents, we can be thankful.

Church leadership teams are being diligent in providing meaningful ways to worship safely. For these spiritual leaders, we can be thankful.

You may not be able to have a typical Thanksgiving this year, but hopefully, you can safely share a meal with someone you love. For this, you can be thankful.

We may not be able to reach out and physically touch someone who needs encouragement, but we can use the technology we have to call, text, email, FaceTime, or Zoom to remind them that you love them and are thankful for them. For this, we can be grateful.

The deaths from the pandemic and increasing cases of violence have reminded us that life is fragile. If you are healthy and your family safe and well, for good health, we should be thankful.

In a year when almost everything has changed, we have the opportunity to be a source of hope and peace. For this, we can be thankful.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note forthe week of November 9, 2020

Vol. 23 No. 32

Hear us. Help us. Heal us. Hold us.

Rather than recap all the happenings of last the nine months, and especially the last week, I’ll just pray.

Hear us, Lord.

On any given day, and especially on this day, we need to know. You hear us. Some of us are crying out in despair, some in frustration, and some in sadness and anger. We are also crying out with disbelief, relief, joy, and celebration. All of us are crying out for wisdom, patience, understanding, and discernment. All of us are crying out for calmness, restraint, justice, and mercy. Hear us, Lord.

Help us, Lord.

Whether we are experiencing feelings of celebration or feelings of defeat, we interact with one another in our homes, work with friends and in church, help us express our feelings with respect, humility, and graciousness. When we talk about the events taking place in the world around us, give us the language that builds others up and encourages those who listen. Help us, Lord.

Heal us, Lord.

We are battered and bruised, confused and distracted, afraid, and cautious about the future. Our opinions, decisions, and assumptions divide us. We are trying to maintain our hope, but we struggle to maintain that attitude of hopefulness consistently. We are hurting. Heal us, Lord.

Hold us, Lord.

A child frightened by a thunderstorm, or awakened by a nightmare, wants to be held and comforted. So we want to hear Your calming voice and long for the peacefulness of resting in Your strong arms. We trust You, and we need You. Hold us, Lord.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note for the week of November 2, 2020 

Vol. 23 No. 31

So That You May Have Peace

“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, NIV)

Jesus spoke those words to His closest friends as He moved toward the cross, as they encountered a time of confusion and struggle as they had never known. He wanted them to see that He was aware of what they were experiencing even though He would not be with them in the flesh.

The circumstances are different, but our need for comfort and peace is just as real today.

We are living in a time of confusion and struggle. How many people will die from the Coronavirus? How much longer with the pandemic last? Will I be able to pay my mortgage? Will I be able to feed my family? Will I get COVID? What if one of my loved ones gets it? Will our nation be at peace after the election ends? Will all people ever be treated as equals? Why is this happening? When will it end?

It took some time before the disciples completely understood what He was saying to them, but He wanted to prepare them for what was ahead. It will take some time before we fully grasp what has happened and is happening to us and our country. It is exhausting, and maybe futile, to try to answer all the questions.

We can find comfort (“take heart”) in knowing God is aware of our situation. He knows what we are going through, and He knows how it is affecting us. He may not choose to intervene or change the circumstances, but He knows, and He is with us.

We can find comfort in knowing that He has overcome the world. “In this world you will have trouble.” How? That is another question I can’t answer, but I am confident that it is true. When He ready, He will reveal His plan.

I don’t know when the pandemic will end. I don’t know what will happen when the vote is final. I don’t know what will happen an hour from now. But, I do know that God is here, Jesus is alive, and the Spirit is with us and in us. That is enough for today.

Peace be with you. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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A Norvell Note forthe week of October 26, 2020

Vol. 23 No. 30

God Is for Us

Surveys and opinion polls abound!

On any given day, we may receive multiple texts, emails, and telephone calls asking us to express our feelings about a product we use, a business we frequent, or a service we have received. As the election nears an end, political parties want us to show our support of a particular candidate or issue by asking for our vote and, in some cases, by making a financial commitment. Voting locations and intersections are overrun with signs and banners pleading for our support.

Our conversations are full of questions like who are you for in the presidential elections, what college team to do you support, what do you think about the virus, social injustice, and global warming?

The media is obsessed with polls showing which candidate is leading by what percentage? Signs planted on the lawns of the neighborhood reveal the resident’s preference. Television ads and social media posts express approval of one candidate or political party over another.

We respond to these solicitations by indicating that we are either for or against them. We base our opinions on whether the person is for and against the same things we are. We trust they mean what they say. We hope they will keep the promises they make during to campaign.

With so many making promises of what they will do for us and how they will stand with us and work for us, it is comforting to know that there is One we know is for us and will be with us no matter what.

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31, NIV)

This verse and the verses that surround it assures us that regardless of promises that we hear, kept, or not kept by politicians, government leaders, businesses, or service organizations, the One that matters is for us. That’s what matters.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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A Norvell Note forthe week of October 12, 2020

Vol. 23 No. 28

While reading in the Gospel of John, I came across a sticky note at the beginning of chapter 11. That’s the chapter where Lazarus, a close friend of Jesus, has died. Jesus shows up, weeps for, and with the people, then brings Lazarus back to life. The sticky note reads: “Agents of life in a world of death.”  

The quote is from a sermon I heard a few years ago (Thanks Josh Graves) before I began working in hospice care as an encouragement to be life-giving people in our communities. Now it speaks more directly to my role in the lives of my patients and their families. I am an agent of life in a world of death.

During this season of political and social, and the number of deaths from the Coronavirus has surpassed 210,000, we all can be agents of life in a world of death.

We can be agents of life in a world of death with our words. We can speak the truth, speak clearly, speak with kindness.

We can be agents of life in a world of death with our actions. “Act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with your God.”

We can be agents of life in a world of death with our presence. This message continually rings in my ears: Be present. Live in the now. Be where you are.

Being agents of life in a world of death is both a challenge and an honor. To think that our words, actions, and physical presence can make a positive difference is what being a follower of Jesus is all about. It is what being human is all about.

As you go about your day, remember you are an agent of life in a world of death. Give life. Give hope.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

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