A Norvell Note – Page 20 – Thoughts and reflections on God, life, people, and living as a follower of Jesus.

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

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.

So That You May Have Peace

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.

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God Is for Us

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.

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The Life We Are Given

A Norvell Note for the week of October 19, 2020
Vol. 23 No. 29
The Life We Are Given

I have read and re-read these closing lines from Pàdraig Ò Tuama’s Morning Prayer[1] several times in the last couple of months.

May we love the life that we are given,God be with us.

My initial response was: “Are you serious? During a pandemic with no end in sight? During this election season? During this season of my life?”

When I pause and reflect on my life and my response changes.The Creator of the Universe loves me, forgives me of all my sins, and promises to walk with me through this life.

I am sixty-seven years old and in relatively good health. I just had my annual physical, so some of the numbers needed to be improved, but overall, there were no significant concerns.

I am married to the same woman I married over forty-four years ago, and despite her being married to me for forty-four years, putting up with all my flaws and failures, she says and shows me daily that she still loves me. We are still growing and having fun.

I have two beautiful adult children who have found wonderful spouses, have given us six grandchildren, and they love the Lord and serve Him with passion and graciousness.

I have a good job that enables me to use my God-given skills to help people.
I have an extended family with a rich tradition of faith and faithfulness that makes me feel grateful and proud of my heritage.I have an abundance of friends, many of whom would do anything within their power to help me if I need it.

I live in a lovely house, cool in the summer and warm in the winter and dry when it rains, in a nice neighborhood, two cars in a garage that I can use for my cars. I have more clothes than I can wear and more food than I need to eat. We have two cats that are a delight to watch as they grow and play. I am still able to mow my grass, walk for an hour 3-4 times a week. I have more television stations and programs than I can watch and technology that allows me to communicate with people anywhere in the world in a matter of seconds.

Although I probably failed to name a few things that make this a good life, my time of reflection is ample to help me admit that something is wrong with me if I don’t love this life.

Thank you, God, for giving me life and for giving me this life. I love this life, and I hope to show it by allowing You to live in me and through me.

“I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.” (John 10:10, The Message)

May we love the life that we are given, God be with us.

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[1] Ò Tuama, Pàdraig. Daily Prayer with the Corrymeela Community: London. 2017.

Agents of Life

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.

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Listen and Be Present

The week of October 5, 2020 Vol. 23 No. 27

Hello. How have you been?

After twenty plus years of writing and sharing A Norvell Note, it was strange not to do that for three months. I hope you have been well during these last three months that you and your loved ones are healthy and that you are thriving more than just surviving these strange, stressful, and sometimes troubling times.

What have I been doing for the last three months? I have intentionally tried to be quiet and listen.

I have listened to podcasts, Scripture reading, sermons, counselors, doctors, newscasts, family, friends, music, nature, body, and mind. More than anything or anyone, I’ve tried to listen to the Lord.

I have listened for wisdom in how I can improve A Norvell Note. As we re-start or re-open, you won’t notice any significant difference, but hopefully, better things are ahead.

I have listened for wisdom on understanding what we are experiencing during this time of isolation due to the pandemic, social unrest, personal and political polarization, and the overall sense of confusion that permeates our world. I have not attained great or profound revelations, but I know that God is aware of everything, He is not afraid or confused, and He is very present with us in our journey. That has not changed.

I have listened for wisdom to know what I need to do and be during these strange days. The understanding that has come to me has come clearly and often from multiple sources: Be present. That may seem simplistic, but it has been invaluable. Be present and live in the moment. Stop trying to live in what was or what might be. My family needs me to be present. I need to be present with my friends. I must be present in my work. It is okay and right to be present with me.

So, three months have passed since I last shared my thoughts with you. I hope I a little bit wiser and better equipped with the tools to share my understanding of God and what it means to live as a follower of Jesus in these challenging times. It’s good to be back, and I hope you will continue to read and share your comments with me. My email is tomorvell@mac.com.

I’m Taking a Break

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.

When You Don’t Know What Else to Do

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.

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.”

Let Me Be Pleasing to You

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.

It Starts with Me

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.

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