Author: TomNorvell

The first week of July 2020

“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, NIV)

I have decided to follow my advice based on this text from last week and take a break. A three-month sabbatical from writing A Norvell Note. No, I don’t have COVID-19, or any other serious disease, as far as I know. But, I am weary and burdened, and I need to rest my mind and be with Jesus.

I hope to see you again in October. In the meantime, be well and listen to the wisdom from Andrew Peterson: Be Kind To Yourself.

 A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

Vol. 22 No. 25            The week of June 28, 2020

When You Don’t Know What Else to Do

Where do you go when you don’t know where else to go? What do you do when you don’t know what else to do?

With the resurgence of increased COVID cases, rising unemployment rates, and heightened racial tensions, we are all searching for answers and looking for guidance. 

For the weary, the confused, and those who are starting to feel hopeless, I offer these words from 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, NIV)

As tired as we may be of being told to stay home and wear a mask if we go out, Jesus is not tired of hearing from us and continues to welcome us into His presence where we can rest.

As difficult as it is to know who is right or wrong and who, if anyone, has the answers, we know that Jesus is truth, all-knowing will always be here to comfort and guide us.

As exhausting as it is to listen to one more negative news report, hear about one more death, or be told one more time that we should be afraid of the air we breathe, we know Jesus is not exhausted. He is our place of rest, comfort, and hope.

Are you tired of caring for the sick? 

Are you burdened by the demands of your life?

Are you looking for comfort and peace?

Are you hurting and lonely and feel isolated? 

Jesus says, “Come to me.”

When you don’t know what else to do, turn to Jesus. He will be waiting with open arms, reminding you to  “Come to me.”

 A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

Vol. 22 No. 24            The week of June 21, 2020

This is a semi-constant prayer and desire.

Let the words of my mouth

    and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing to you,

    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

Father let the words of my mouth be pleasing to You.

Words are plentiful, and sometimes I say too much. But sometimes I don’t say enough. Sometimes I speak kindly and build people up. But sometimes my words are harsh and tear others down. 

Sometimes my words bring laughter and help people feel better. But sometimes my humor makes them feel worse.  

I know I’m guilty of succumbing to moments of frustration, judgment, and insensitivity. But in my heart, my truest desire is always to use my words to bring light, joy, hope, and peace to those who read them. 

Father let the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you.

So I pray, Lord, give me words that comfort those who are hurting, bring peace to those who are anxious, bring joy to those who are sad, and bring hope to those who are hopeless.

Remind me that the words I speak and write are the result of the meditation of my heart. Help me keep my focus on You-  the battles You have empowered me to fight and the struggles You have enabled me to overcome- so that when I speak or write, those who receive my words will be able to hear and see You more clearly.  

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

 A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

Vol. 22 No. 23            June 15, 2020

I have many questions, but few answers. I see many problems, but few solutions. I have some level of influence and insight, but not enough to calm the fears, relieve the pain, or reduce the level of anger that exists in our world. 

I cannot change all the things that need to be changed, but there is one thing I know; change starts with me. 

It starts with me, loving my neighbor as myself.

It starts with me, treating my wife with love and respect.

It starts with loving my children and grandgirls and helping them see Jesus in my words and actions.

It starts with me walking across the street to meet my new neighbor and being kind and thoughtful to those who live around me.  

It starts with taking a deep breath before I react to a person not wearing a mask at the gas pump next to me.

It starts with going beyond good intentions and doing what I know I need to do.

It starts with me listening instead of trying to prove my point and keeping my mouth closed when I want to speak unkindly.

It starts with me speaking up, even when it’s more comfortable to be silent. 

It starts with me, expressing the joy in being alive, even when joy is hard to find…especially when joy is hard to find.

It starts with me, following the instructions from the prophet: 

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

It starts with me treating others how I want to be treated. 

It starts with allowing God’s Spirit to more fully develop love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Because against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5)

It starts with remembering this truth:

 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. (1John 2:6) 

I realize there are changes that must occur in our political structures, social systems, and institutions that may be beyond my scope of influence. But change must come.  

And that change starts with me. 

 A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

Vol. 22 No. 22 | June 8, 2020

I was listening to Sara Bereilles’s song, A Safe Place to Land, struck by how much the lyrics reflect the times in which we are living.

When pain is all that they offer 
You know the famine so well, but never met the feast 
Like a kiss from the lips of monster 
And home is the belly of the beast 

When holding your breath is safer than breathing 
When letting go is braver than keeping 
When innocent words turn to lies 
And you can't hide by closing your eyes 

The ocean is wild and over your head
And the boat beneath you is sinking
Don't need room for your bags
Hope is all that you have
So say the Lord's prayer twice, hold your babies tight
Surely someone will reach out a hand
And show you a safe place to land
 
Oh, imagine yourself in a building
Up in flames being told to stand still
The window's wide open
This leap is on faith
You don't know who will catch you
Maybe somebody will
 
The ocean is wild and over your head
And the boat beneath you is sinking
Don't need room for your bags
Hope is all that you have
So say the Lord's prayer twice, hold your babies tight
Surely someone will reach out a hand
And show you a safe place to land
 
Be the hand of a hopeful stranger
A little scared but you're strong enough
Be the light in the dark of this danger
'Til the sun comes up..

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 
Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, 
as we also have forgiven our debtors. 
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours it the kingdom and the power And glory forever. 
Amen.

Vol. 22 No. 22 | June 1, 2020 

Take Heart! 

As parents, we want to protect our children and prepare them for what’s ahead if we can: 

Ok, sweetie, we’re going to the doctor. They’re going to poke you with a needle and it’ll hurt for a little while, but I’ll be right beside you. 

We’re going to a busy part of town, so stay close to me, wait for the man to turn green on the sign, and always look both ways before you cross the street.

Jesus wanted to protect his followers, as well. He was about to go to the cross, He tried to prepare them for what was shaping up to be an unprecedented time of disappointment, sadness, chaos, and confusion.  

  “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’s words are as true now as they were then. And He wants to comfort His followers today the same as he did those who followed him then. He knows there will be times when life will be filled with confusion and uncertainty, disappointment and sadness, hatred and prejudice, and sickness and death.   

And He wants to make sure we know that when we experience trouble or hardship, whether because of our faith or simply because we live in a fallen world, we must not give in to fear or lose hope. 

Jesus is still communicating with us today, but we have to remember to listen. Because without a clear focus on His words, our spirits will start to dwindle, and we’ll lose sight of the good and beautiful things that still remain amidst all the tragedy and chaos in the world. 

And we must take heart because He has provided us a way to have peace even in the midst of it.

 A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note 2020

Vol. 22 No. 21 | May 25, 2020

Writing during COVID has been difficult. 

While I am adjusting to and enjoying the calm and slower pace, my previous varied routine stimulated more thoughts and helped stir my imagination. Now, my mind drifts away more (and my mind is prone to wandering). 

Knowing how to choose new and refreshing words that encourage and offer hope is harder now, too. So much has been and is being said (some worthwhile, some worthless), and phrases like “We are in this together” and “We’ll get through this together” seem a bit trite at this point. 

Even writing about my writing woes seems minor compared to what so many others are coping with: those who are honoring and mourning their loved ones who died serving our country; business and church leaders wrestling to determine the safest means of reopening; families that have lost a loved one during this time and must wait weeks or months for a memorial service; doctors and nurses who continue to care for patients with limited resources and less than ideal conditions…

And yet, I write, remembering the true meaning of the phrase “labor of love.” And I do my best to remember that our struggles and suffering are temporary. And yes, we will get through this together, but only if we must keep our hearts open and eyes focused on the gifts that remain and the blessings that are to come.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV)

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note 2020

Vol. 22 No. 20 | May 18, 2020

I watched the compost truck’s huge pinchers come down, clutch the dumpster on either side, raise it above the truck, shake it a few times, and set it back down on the side of the street. Within minutes, the truck had come and gone and the trash dumpster was empty. It had taken me much longer and a lot more struggle just to roll the dumpster  from behind our fence to the curb.

As I witnessed the powerful display of mechanical strength, I thought about how foolish it would’ve been for me to run outside and tell the truck driver how heavy the load was and insist on helping him, just as would be for me to insist on doing the Lord’s work for him. 

There have been times when I’ve watched our children struggle to find their way. Even though I had prayed for them to know the Lord and let Him guide their steps, I still thought there were times when God was acting too slow and maybe needed my assistance to move things along. But every time, He would put the right people in each of my children’s paths at just the right time to accomplish far more than I could have imagined.

The truth is, I’ve thought I’ve known how to fix a situation, relationship, or person better than God more times than I’d like to recall. And every time, I’ve looked back and seen how perfectly His plan has unfolded, leaving me feeling like Job after his requested Q&A with God.

Job answered:

“I’m speechless, in awe—words fail me.

    I should never have opened my mouth!

I’ve talked too much, way too much.

    I’m ready to shut up and listen.”  (Job 40:4-5, The Message)

There is so much going on in the world right now that I wish I could explain and resolve, but I can’t. I can work to improve my circumstances and help others with the gifts and abilities I have, but I cannot do God’s work. And I don’t need to. 

He has it taken care of, and His plan will unfold infinitely better than I could have ever imagined. So, I’m ready to shut up and listen.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note 2020

Vol. 22 No. 19 | May 11, 2020

What is something that you have enjoyed about the quarantine that has surprised you?

I haven’t been surprised that the stay at home restrictions have allowed me to spend more time with my wife, accomplish more tasks around the house, reconnect with old friends, rearrange my study two or three times, and spend less time in my car. 

But I have been surprised to find myself walking down the middle of the street. 

Concrete sidewalks are hard on my ankles and knees, so I’ve always preferred walking and jogging on the asphalt. But dodging traffic can be tricky, not to mention dangerous. 

But not now. Even at peak traffic hours, our neighborhood is so quiet, I find myself strolling right down the middle of the street, lost in the music flowing through my EarPods. It’s perfect, really- so much space, no curbs to negotiate, and I’m always at least six feet away from everybody else.

On a recent stroll, I started thinking about other welcomed surprises that have come out of a tough season or hard chapter.

When I was eleven, I could think of nothing worse than my mother dying. But through the years, God has blessed me with numerous substitute mothers to fill in some of the empty space.

When I got the chickenpox as an adult in a small Ukrainian village and felt like I was going to die, I thought life couldn’t get much worse.  But I made it through in one piece and it gave me a great story to share over the years.  

When I had to have major oral surgery in my late forties, I thought it was the worst thing that could happen. Instead, my surgeon became a good friend and I had the privilege of officiating his wedding that same year.

When our church teams would grow frustrated with the business side of ministry, wondering what the point of it all was, God would always send us new people and ways to serve that refreshed our souls and restored our faith.

As I thought about all the good that has come out of unfortunate situations in my life, I was reminded of this verse: 

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;

In the morning I lay my requests before you

And wait expectantly. (Psalm 5:3, NIV)

As we now learn to live with whatever awaits us, may we also wait expectantly for God’s surprises. You might even find yourself being one of those surprises in the life of another. 

And by the way, I only condone walking in the middle of the street when they are deserted. And please, if by chance a vehicle does approach, please move to the side of the street.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved