Vol. 22 No. 15 | April 13, 2020

Give Me Something To Do

Millions of people, more than we could have fathomed a few weeks ago, are now unemployed due to COVID-19. And even those who are fortunate enough to be employed, are often at a loss for what to do. 

One afternoon, when I slipped (or fell headlong) into a particularly deep abyss of helplessness, my favorite line from Sense and Sensibility came to me. It’s during the scene when Marianne falls extremely ill. Her suitor, Colonel Brandon, paces the halls, desperate for something to do to try to help her, and pleads, “Give me an occupation, Miss Dashwood, or I shall run mad.” 

You may be feeling something similar. Give me an occupation so I can support my family. Give me something I can do to help the frontline workers. Give me something I can do to make life better for people who are struggling…

Earlier that same day I was reading the Jesus story from Luke 4.

When Jesus stood up to read the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

    because he has anointed me

    to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners

    and recovery of sight for the blind,

to set the oppressed free,

     to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:17-19, NIV) 

I can’t touch a blind person’s eyes and make him see. I do not have the means to feed all the hungry people in my community. And I don’t have the power to go into a hospice patient’s room and heal them. 

But I do have the capacity to listen to my wife, friends, and co-workers when they need to share their fears and concerns. I can share the good things I see and hear with people who might need their spirits lifted. I can listen to what the Spirit is saying and maybe calling me to do. And I can proclaim there is freedom in Christ, and even in these difficult times, God is with us and His favor is on us. 

I hope you will be gentle on yourself and others this week. And remember, you can’t do everything, but you can do something, and you can do it with love, compassion, and kindness.  

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note 2020

Vol. 22 No. 14 | April 6, 2020

What We Can When We Can

Not long before Jesus is put on trial and crucified, He is invited to a friend’s for dinner. During the meal, a woman comes into the room, opens a bottle of expensive perfume, and begins to pour it on His head. As described in The Message:

Some of the guests became furious among themselves. ‘That’s criminal! A sheer waste! This perfume could have been sold for well over a year’s wages and handed out to the poor.’ They swelled up in anger, nearly bursting with indignation over her.

Jesus defends her, saying, “She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial” (Mark 14:8, NIV). Or as stated in The Message, “She did what she could when she could…” 

There is much we could discuss about this passage, especially during this season. But I want to focus on the underlying message in these words: “She did what she could when she could.” 

The man who puts on a mask and gloves and goes to the grocery store to get what his family needs for the week; and the man who checks in on his elderly neighbor to make sure she has what she needs…is doing what he can when he can. 

The woman who kisses her family goodbye and heads to the hospital to help care for the  sick; and the woman who sits down at her sewing machine to make masks for her friends and neighbors…is doing what she can when she can.

The men and women who load up their vans with packages and make their daily rounds; and the people who share their gifts, positive words, and guidance with others who might need them…are doing what they can when they can. 

All of us who are staying at home, and when we must go out, taking precautions to keep ourselves and those around us safe; all of us who are treating others with kindness, patience, and respect and doing our best to spread positivity…are doing the best we can when we can. 

The anxiety and frustration created by our inability to do and help more is likely to continue over the next few weeks. But we can only do what we can when we can. 

Let’s focus on that, and that will be enough.

“And you can be sure that wherever in the whole world the Message is preached, what she just did is going to be talked about admiringly.” (9)

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

Vol. 22 No. 13 | March 30, 2020

Finding myself with a little more time on my hands this week, I started listing things that didn’t seem to matter as much as they did a few days ago. 

• Email offers for discounted golf balls
• Airlines offering great travel deals 
• Ads like, “Be secluded in the perfect vacation hideaway.”
• Road sign: Guardrail damage ahead. (Not Covid-related, but I’ve never understood why we need to know this information.)
• Shaving and the need for a haircut
• Church leaders who are still pondering: “To Cancel or Not to Cancel: That Is the Question.”
• Opinions – mine and yours
• Arguing
• My ego
• Yesterday
• Tomorrow

Then I started listing what matters most and always has.

• Relationships – family and genuine friendships 
• Good healthcare
• Men and women who have the courage and compassion to use their skills to take care of others
• Birds – flying, singing, and just being birds
• Words- those that I use to bring joy and encouragement to others, and those that bring joy and encouragement to me
• Living in this moment
• Being quiet and still
• Music
• The ability to walk
• A nice breeze
• Good neighbors
• God’s constant and abiding presence

These are just simple lists to keep track of the way I’m adjusting my thinking to stay mentally and spiritually healthy during a time of uncertainty and dramatic change. 

In a way, these lists are simply counting my blessings. But they are also helping to calm my soul and remind me of what is really important and what isn’t. 

May I encourage you to do the same. Start with your family, friends, faith and God’s faithfulness. Pay attention to the world around you. Clear your head and listen to your thoughts, listen to your heart. Pause. Reflect on what matters.

Then, when you finish making your list, sing these words:

Praise God from whom all blessings flow

Praise Him all creatures here below

Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note 2020

Vol. 22 No. 12 | March 23, 2020

Even in the Valley

Words are plentiful right now. We are hearing words about disease and distress; bitterness and blame; and thankfully, humor and hope. Words are plentiful, yet here I sit, searching for the right ones to comfort, encourage, and bring you hope.  

As I search, I remember these words: 

Even though I walk 

…the valley of the shadow of death…

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)

So with  these words in mind, I pray:

Father, we are in the darkest of valleys, darker than most of us have ever walked through. We confess that we are sometimes afraid, confused, sad, and lonely. And it is sometimes difficult to hear Your words above all the others coming from fear, anger, frustration. 

So, Father, we ask You to remind us in very real ways that You are our Shepherd, and as our Shepherd, we are protected and safe. Give us words that comfort, and help us share those words so others can find comfort. Remind us that, even in the dark valleys, we are not alone. And remind us of other dark valleys through which we have walked safely with You before. 

Father, thank You for Your words of comfort, for being our Shepherd, and for walking beside us, even in the valley, as we make our way to the other side. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note 2020

Vol. 22 No. 11 | March 16, 2020

A Different Norm

This weekend, I would normally be settling in to watch a full day of college basketball, which would normally be followed by three weeks of March Madness. I might occasionally switch channels to the final rounds of the Players Championship in anticipation of the upcoming  Master’s Tournament and I would not be watching the news and press conferences.

Normally, I would have had my hair cut this morning. I wouldn’t be worried about touching my face or making sure I wash or sanitize my hands after touching every foreign object. And I would not have the phrase “social distancing” as part of my vocabulary. And normally, our communities wouldn’t be clearing the shelves of toilet paper and taking such drastic measures to isolate and protect ourselves.

 I know we’re all feeling frustrated and anxious, and struggling to remain calm in the midst of all the chaos and fear. So here are a couple of suggestions from a fellow struggler with the hope that they will provide some comfort in these unsettling times. 

Be informed, but don’t allow fear to consume you.

Take a break from the news and do something that relaxes or brings you joy. You can stay informed by checking one trustworthy news source. But obsessively listening to the fear-based theories and stories will only create more fear. At this point, less is more

Be cautious, but don’t disconnect. 

Practice social distancing and solitude when necessary, but stay in touch with your friends and family. We are blessed to have the technology to call, text, email, and video chat with the people we care about. And since everything seems to be shutting down, you might even have time to write a real handwritten letter.

Be calm and enjoy the downtime. 

You can spend the extra time you have at home doing things that uplift and relax you. Watch a movie, read a book, take a walk, or listen to music. And although many churches are canceling public gatherings, you can still find their sermons streaming online. 

One of the most positive things I’ve heard that I keep coming back to is this: We are in this together, we will get through this, and God is enough. And we will. By coming together, even if physically separated, and by leaning on God for guidance and comfort, we will get through this. 

“I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)

So please, be informed, be cautious, and be calm. And remember He has you and the whole world in His hands (sanitized and germ-free)

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note 2020 

Vol. 22 No. 10 | March 9, 2020

A Prayer for Tennessee

Father, You are the only One who can truly understand the tremendous amount of pain and suffering the people of Tennessee are experiencing-within seconds, homes were leveled, lives were lost, and families were forever changed. 

I lift them up to You, Lord, asking You to provide for their needs. 

Countless people no longer have a place to sleep, a vehicle to drive, water to drink, clothes to wear, or food to eat.

Many more need help dealing with trauma and new fears they might not even be able to name, including those who weren’t directly impacted.

And almost everyone knows someone who needs comforting and time to grieve the deaths of their children, parents, relatives, and friends.  

Help them to know how they might help others. 

Whether we acknowledge it or not, regardless of our circumstances, every single one of us needs and deserves the healing love of Your presence. 

I lift them up to You, Lord, asking You to provide for their needs. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

Another way to help: One Generation Away

A Norvell Note 2020 

Vol. 22 No. 09 | March 2, 2020

Most of us know the famous line from the horror film, The Fly, “Be afraid. Be very afraid.” Although the film came out in the ’80s, this line keeps popping into my head, because it seems to be the place we are all operating from. 

Each political candidate warns us about how dangerous their opponent is. We’re so afraid of mass shootings, we avoid going to public places. We’re afraid of Coronavirus. We’re afraid of not being able to afford our medications. Or if we can afford them, we’re afraid they won’t work. We’re afraid of not finding a job, then when we find one, we’re afraid of losing it. We’re afraid we won’t have enough money, then when we have enough, we’re afraid of running out.

“Be afraid. Be very afraid.” 

It’s true, we live in a culture saturated with fear. I get frustrated when I find myself letting it control my life. Because deep down, The only way I know to avoid being controlled by fear is to stay focused on the One who is watching over us. 

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—

    where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

    the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—

    he who watches over you will not slumber;

Indeed, he who watches over Israel

    will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—

    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

he sun will not harm you by day,

    nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm—

    he will watch over your life;

The Lord will watch over your coming and going

    both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121)

We live in scary times and can’t avoid being impacted by some of the threats we face. But we also live in times that are good and exciting. So instead of focusing our attention on what scares us, why not focus on the things that inspire and bring us peace. 

God did not put us here to walk around in a constant state of fear. He is love, the opposite of fear, and we are His creations, which means we are made of love. We have a choice- we can choose to consume media that reminds us of all the death and gloom, or we can focus on the positive stories and events that are happening in our lives. 

This doesn’t mean we have to live with our heads in the sand. We can just choose to approach our day from a place of love, look for it and find ways to share it- with ourselves and others- through our thoughts, beliefs, and actions. If we do this, we are letting God work through us- the greatest source of power there is. 

Look to God, focus on His source of love, and the things you fear don’t stand a chance. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

^[1] https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/be-afraid,-be-very-afraid.html

A Norvell Note 2020 

Vol. 22 No. 08 | February 24, 2020

Transition: the process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.

Transitions are inevitable — some good, some bad; some gratifying, some regrettable; some deliberate and some unforeseen. 

In life, we transition from birth to childhood, adolescence to adulthood, and eventually, to the next life. 

In work, we transition from one job to another, from being the newbie to a veteran employee.

We transition from winter to spring to summer to fall. And as the day transitions to night, we go from being fully conscious to drifting into a deep sleep, then back to being fully awake. 

To survive life’s transitions, we need something to keep us balanced and help us maintain some sense of stability. Reminding myself that God is real, that He is always with us, and that He can be trusted provides that stability for me.  

But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands; 

(Psalm 31:14-15)

Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised e confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 6:17-20)

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

Most likely, you are in some transition at this very moment. Keep your eyes on Jesus, trust in God, follow His guidance, and live in His presence. His love is constant, and that will never change.  

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note 2020 

Vol. 22 No. 07 | February 17, 2020

“God moves in a mysterious way. His wonders to perform;” 

These first two hymn lines, written by William Cowper in 1774, are often quoted when an amazing, unexpected event is happening, has happened, or is about to happen. 

A couple prays for years to be blessed with a child, but nothing happens. They finally stop all the tests and procedures and accept that they will never have a child of their own. A month later, she finds out she’s pregnant. 

Every night, the parents call their estranged son, praying he will answer. They finally decide to start clearing out his room, believing he will never return. That night, he calls them and asks to come home. 

The church congregation is making great strides in building a large community of rich fellowship, despite one influential leader’s efforts to spread gossip and negativity. But eventually, the leader’s toxicity spreads. And just as he is about to succeed at pitting one group of members against the other, he’s unexpectedly transferred to another state for his job. 

After a long dry season, the man wonders if God is hearing his prayers. He tries desperately to hang on to hope, but the despair continues. The uncertainty and frustration escalate to the point of unbearable, when suddenly, the unexpected happens; the door opens, letting in light and opportunities beyond what he could have ever hoped for. 

God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform. 

God moves in ways that we can’t always see or understand. But let there be no doubt, He is always moving for you. 

If you are enduring a season of disappointment and discouragement, remember, God still moves. If your prayers seem to be unheard and unanswered, remember, God moves and His wonders He will perform.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note 2020

Vol. 22 No. 06       February 10, 2020

I know, I wrote a piece about peace a couple of weeks ago. But it seems like an appropriate time to reapply the wisdom and comfort of these words. 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6,7, NIV)

The challenge: Do not be anxious about anything. 

If I could write an article that provided a fail-proof plan for how to accomplish this, I would be set for life. Instead, all I can do is offer my suggestions for dealing with our anxieties. 

The action: Present your requests to God. 

This part is relatively easy for me. I have plenty of requests to present to God: Give me wisdom to make good choices. Give me the strength to use the wisdom You give me. Show me who I should pull for in the upcoming election. Lead me to the job you want me to accept. Help me be a good husband, Dad, Papa, and friend. Give me insight to understand people’s fears and struggles and the ability to guide and encourage them. 

I think there is a lot of flexibility in how these requests are presented to God. I don’t think the method is as important as the act of simply presenting our requests to God, whether through tears of joy or sadness. Sometimes I present them in my journal, sometimes in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep, and sometimes in my car or a coffee shop. I also think it’s helpful to make a list of positives and negatives, in both good times and bad. Just say: “Lord, here they are. I give them to you.” 

The result: The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 

The key for me is to leave my requests with Him and trust that He will give me peace. I have experienced this when trying to make a decision, sorting through my hopes and dreams, or weighing possibilities and options. I don’t understand or know how to explain it (He said I would not be able to), but I know when it happens. There is a feeling of serenity and relief. And it is real.

This peace is from God and it is real peace. Present your requests to God and enjoy the results. 

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved