Vol. 22 No. 04 January 27, 2020

This thought came to me recently: There are a lot of people in the world. 

I know, not terribly profound, but what else do you think about when you are stuck in traffic on the freeway? 

Here’s what it looks like to me

• Population of the world: approaching 8 billion people: 331,002,651 live in the United States. (Worldometer) 
• 28.7 million people live in Texas
• 2 million live in the Austin metropolitan area
• 43,480 in Kyle, Texas 
• 1294 people who have claimed me as a “friend” on Facebook (some of those are family)
• 11 people in our immediate family 
• 2 of us are living in our home

Who are all of these people? Where are they going? Where have they been? What is it like in their part of the world? Are they happy, or are they sad? 

Beyond the numbers, there is something even more amazing: God knows every one of us, and He knows us completely. 

I have been very blessed to have met a lot of people. I have become acquaintances with some, become close with others, and grown to love and be loved by a select few.  

But, even if I could figure out a way to count everyone who has touched my life in some way, the number would be minuscule in comparison to the 8 billion living in the world. 

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:29-31, NIV)

In Psalm 139, David describes the relationship God has with us in terms that are more intimate than my mind can comprehend. He has known us since before we came into being; He knows what we’re thinking before we think it; and He knows where we’re going before we go there. 

 Not only does He know us completely, He loves us completely and is always working to do what is best for us. 

When I consider the numbers, it’s easy to feel insignificant and small. But when I consider His love and kindness, I cannot help but feel extraordinary.

I agree completely with David’s observation in verse 6 of the Psalm: 

“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” 

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A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

Vol. 22 No. 03

January 20, 2020

His 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 made several statements like this to remind us that there is peace amidst all the chaos we see going on around us. 

There have been many times in my life that I believed I would only find peace when…I had all the things I thought I needed; all the conflicts between nations cease; churches practice the teachings they preach; all turmoil within and around me has calmed; and I am evolved enough to consistently reflect the image of Jesus more than my own.  

Guess what? That hasn’t happened. 

I still have days when I think I’ll only have peace when I reach a certain status, have and accomplish enough, and there is less turmoil in the world. 

But on a deeper level, I know it is still possible to have the peace Jesus promised. Even when the chaos and uncertainty directly impact me, I know that Jesus overcame the world, and that thought calms me. That gives me peace. 

And I’m pretty certain that when I arrive at that place of peace, Jesus, the Father, and the Spirit must surely smile. 

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A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

A Norvell Note 2020 

Vol. 22 No. 02

January 13, 2020

Seeing What You Cannot See

Have you ever tried to see something you cannot see?

You are driving on a dark road. Your headlights are on and you see clearly as far as they reach. But beyond the light, all you can see is darkness. Until you turn on your brights, and then you can see what you could not see. 

You wake up in the middle of the night. The room is dark. There’s a nightlight, but it only helps for a certain distance. You squint, but you still cannot see what’s beyond the light. And then you flip a switch to another light that allows you to see what you could not see. 

You are walking down a dark path. A friend is holding a flashlight and can see fine. But you can only see vague images and shadows. Then he shines his light on your path, and you’re able to see what you could not see. 

For centuries, people were trying to see what they could not see. They had heard about and studied God. They wanted to see Him. They searched for Him in the Scriptures, religious meetings, rituals, and traditions. But they still could not see Him. 

And then the light came on. 

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

He came into the world, not as they expected, but He came. (John 8:12, NIV)

While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”  (John 9:5, NIV)

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5, NIV)

The light of Jesus continues to shine so we can see what we could not see. Let it shine brightly, and you will overcome the darkness. 

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A Norvell Note © Copyright 2020 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved

Vol. 21 No. 52 | December 30, 2019

Gentleness

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  (Philippians 4:5, NIV)

Gentleness. The word keeps nudging its way into my thoughts, stirring up a longing for more. 

Maybe it is the lack of gentleness conveyed in the news and on social media that makes me long for more, or the politicians and leaders who have forgotten that gentle responses are even an option or the people who tout religious values but contradict the spirit of gentleness that the Lord prefers. 

“Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced.”  (James 3:17, The Message)

Or perhaps it’s the examples of gentleness I do see and hear that makes me want  to experience and exhibit more:

The dad who takes time to listen to the story his daughter’s trying to tell him; the son who helps his dad walk from the car to the restaurant; the mom who comforts her little one in her arms after she’s fallen; the daughter who responds gently to her mother’s harsh criticism, knowing her grandmother never did the same.  

Whatever the reason, I have a growing desire to see and hear more gentleness, speak and respond more gently, and live with more gentleness in the coming year. 

May you be blessed with and share more gentleness as a reminder that the Lord is near. 

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A Norvell Note © Copyright 2019 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved 

Vol. 21 No. 51 | December 23, 2019

I haven’t been following the Democratic debates, but for some reason, I watched the last one (possibly because I couldn’t find a good basketball game). For the better part of three hours, the seven candidates went back and forth in the typical “attack, destroy, and self-promote” fashion. 

As Jason Russell put it in a Washington Examiner:  

The last question of Thursday night’s Democratic debate had nothing to do with public policy. Instead, it was a great test of authenticity. In short, it’s the holiday season, and if you could give any other candidate a certain gift or ask any of them forgiveness, what would you do? Sadly, all of the candidates failed the test. 

I agree with Russell’s evaluation. For a brief moment, I hoped I’d hear an honest answer, but that didn’t happen. Not only did they fail the test, but they also had no idea how to respond. 

Sadly, a sincere, honest answer to a question that might make them vulnerable is too much to expect in our current political eat-or-get-eaten environment. 

But even though none of the presidential hopefuls answered the question, it still resonated with me. If I could give any other person a certain gift this holiday season, or ask one person for forgiveness, what would I do? 

And this is what I came up with: 

I would give you my promise that in the days I have left, I will do my best to be the person whom God has called me to be, and whom I claim to be. 

And I would ask all of you to forgive me for the times (way too many to count) when I failed to live up to my calling and be who I claim to be. And I would ask for forgiveness if and when I fail again. 

May you be blessed with love, joy, and peace this Christmas season.

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A Norvell Note © Copyright 2019 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved 

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

The deadline for signing up for your healthcare has passed, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and many of the other amazing super-duper sales have either ended or extended for the gigantic sale before the Christmas really crazy rush. 

BUT, it’s not too late to become a patron through Patreon to help me keep writing A Norvell Note. Just a few dollars makes a big difference. $1, $5, $10, or $25 a month will be a great help. 

You can sign up here: https://www.patreon.com/anorvellnote

Thank you very much,

Tom

Vol. 21 No. 50 | December 16, 2019

I am not sure why, but this sentiment and the images that often accompany it make me CBNOL (Chuckle But Not Out Loud). Although I do find some humor in it, I also know that the struggle is real for many, especially during the holidays.

The struggle is real for the parents who received a call informing them that their son has been arrested for driving under the influence; or the father of three who just lost his job; or the woman with her children on the corner and a sign that says, “Homeless. Anything helps.”

The struggle is real for the family spending their first holiday without their dad or mom or child, or the man sitting alone in a restaurant while Joy to the World plays on the radio. 

We all probably know someone who is struggling, and we all have the ability to help, even if it’s simply calling up a friend who just got divorced, taking a neighbor out to eat, or sending a “thinking of you” card to a friend or relative you haven’t heard from in a while. 

And, please, if you are struggling, answer the call or respond to the text from your friend, accept the invitation to dinner, or invite your neighbor in when they ring your doorbell. 

For all of us enjoying a  “holly jolly” Christmas, be grateful and enjoy. Just remember, someone near you may be going through the bluest Christmas ever. So keep your eyes, ears, and heart open to God’s nudging. He may need you to be their reminder that He is near and they are not alone. 

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A Norvell Note © Copyright 2019 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved 

Vol. 21 No. 49 | December 9, 2019

I pulled my car in the garage and started unloading my stuff. I put my computer bag over my shoulder and reached for my water bottle and hot latte I’d just purchased. Then, I saw an empty plastic bottle and some papers that needed to be recycled, so I sat my hot latte on the top of the car like I have done several times. Except for this time, I’d forgotten that I’d opened the sunroof. 

Yep, you guessed it… 

Not the whole cup- somehow the lid stayed on and only a little splattered across the seats, the steering wheel, the dash, and the console. 

I cleaned up the mess as best as I could, muttering something to the effect of I wish that hadn’t happened (in words I will refrain from sharing here). 

Why am I telling you this? 

Because it made think about how much we depend on things and people to be where we expect them to be and do what we expect them to do. 

For example, when I’m in my car and a hot latte is not raining down on me, I depend on the features to do what they are designed to do- when I put my foot on the brake pedal, the car will slow down; when I turn my blinker on, other drivers will know that I’m going to turn (In case some of you were wondering, that’s what it’s for… Yeah, I’ve driven behind you). And yes, when I open the sunroof, I expect it to stay open until I close it. 

In my relationships, when I have become accustomed to people being there, I expect them to be there and behave as they always do- when I really need to talk, I trust they will listen; when I need their advice, I trust they will give it, etc.

I think it’s natural to get frustrated or disappointed sometimes when things don’t work or people act differently than we expect them to. We rely on the predictability of things to maintain some sort of sanity, and it throws us off when things change without our knowledge or permission.

But what if this is how I approach my relationship with God? 

The truth is, we can’t predict how God will respond. And He may not always answer us when we’d prefer. That can be frustrating and confusing. 

But I know, without fail, He will always hear my prayers, and He will always answer. I know He is there, and I know He will never leave me. When He came to earth, He promised to be “with us” (Matthew 1:23) and “never leave us.” (Hebrews 13:5) 

Maybe I can extend similar mercy to my family and friends and give them the benefit of the doubt. They will not always respond the way I want, but I know they want what is best for me. Maybe I can lower my demands and try to accept the fact that they are imperfect just like me, and they will sometimes miss the opportunity to help and come up short of my expectations. 

Because I know they love me. I know they will do anything within their power to do what is best for me. And when they don’t, I can move beyond my frustration and disappointment and be thankful that they love me and tried. 

And who knows, maybe I can give myself some grace over a spilled latte.

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A Norvell Note © Copyright 2019 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved