A Norvell Note

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

The Struggle is Real

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 2020

A Norvell Note 2020

Well, we’ve come to the end of another year and looking forward to 2020, and I want to thank you for supporting me through another year of creating and sharing A Norvell Note.

As a teenager growing up in Hope, Arkansas I remember having difficulty imagining being alive in the year 2020, but here we are.

This past year has been a challenge. There have been many good and positive events and we have met some wonderful people as a result of our move to Texas eighteen months ago, but the adjustment has not always been easy. Unexpected changes in my employment as a chaplain with hospice has given me less time to develop new writing and communication projects than I had anticipated. However, the new year offers hope for new opportunities. I

In 2020 I hope to develop some form of a podcast using A Norvell Notes as the foundation. I’m still learning the process of podcasting, but I hope within the first three months of 2020 to have something up and going. Most likely it will involve the reading of the most recent Note, comments on that and a discussion of some topics related to that article and current events.

I’m am working on publishing another collection of writings similar to Until Hope Returns that came out last year. Until Hope Returns is a means of introduction as well as a great way of saying thank you.

Thank you again for your support through prayer and donations. I hope you will continue in 2020 and possibly increase your donations by $1, $5, $10 a month or more if you can. And please share this with your friends that you think might be interested in helping support the writing and communication projects.

If you have been a patron in the past and have decided to discontinue, I completely understand and thank you very much for your help.

If you have never participated in supporting my writing projects, I hope you will consider it.

May you be blessed with love, joy, and peace during the Christmas season and throughout the new year.

https://www.patreon.com/anorvellnote

Tom

A Spilled Latte

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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The Unexpected

A Norvell Note

Vol. 21 No. 48 | December 2, 2019

As I pulled our Christmas decorations from the attic this week, I thought about how predictable this activity has become the day after Thanksgiving. At the same time, I thought of how unpredictable some events have been over the past few days.

Sometimes the unexpected comes as a welcome, pleasant surprise. And sometimes, unexpected events are neither pleasant nor welcomed.

My thoughts brought me to this somewhat predictable observation: the unexpected happens at unexpected times and in unexpected ways.

This observation led to another: how we handle unexpected events shapes who we are.

Your company’s decision to eliminate your position was totally unexpected and couldn’t have come at a worse time.

The last thing you expected was the routine doctor’s visit to be followed by a life-threatening prognosis.

The family never expected their estranged son to finally come home for Thanksgiving.

The anonymous check in the mail came as a complete and utter surprise.

The baby they were told would never be born showed that miracles are possible.

Some of us will handle unexpected events in stride with grace and confidence. Some of us will crumble under the sudden shift in our plans. Regardless, no matter how hard we try to predict the unexpected, it will always come. And how we choose to handle it is very important.

Here are a few suggestions that have helped me manage my response to unexpected things that happen.

Give yourself time to take it all in. Don’t panic. Ask the Lord to help you understand what is happening, what He wants you to see, and what He wants you to learn from the experience.

Wait before you jump to conclusions about the outcome. What appears to be horrible news may actually be a blessing. And, at times, what we think is the answer to our prayers could prove to be a huge disappointment or heartbreak. Just know that God has a bigger plan and ask Him to give you wisdom and clarity.

Stay in the moment. Don’t rush ahead into the unknown. Don’t revert to the safety of the past. Just have faith and remember that God is always with you.

I did not expect some of the things that happened to and around me this past week. And I’m sure there will be things that happen next week that will require me to shift my thinking and actions.

But one thing I do know. God will be with me no matter what happens. And that I can predict with absolute certainty.

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I’m Thankful

Vol. 21 No. 47 | November 25, 2019

Here is my list of things for which I’m thankful.

I’m thankful for my family, memories we have made together, and the memories that are yet to be made.

I’m thankful for my friends…especially the old friends…and especially for the new friends.

I’m thankful that a beautiful sunset still takes my breath away.

I’m thankful (when I get up early enough) to see the sunrise.

I’m thankful that I still get excited over the possibility of a snowfall.

I’m thankful that I see a tree of many bright colors I still pause to capture the image in my mind and sometimes with my camera.

I’m thankful that when I hear a child laugh or cry it still touches me deep in my soul.

I’m thankful that I can share thoughts and feelings with people all over the world within a matter of seconds.

I’m thankful that I deliberate over my thoughts and feelings for more than a few seconds before I share them with people all over the world.

I’m thankful that when I share my thoughts and feelings with people all over the world some people read them, some people appreciate them, and some people act on them.

I’m thankful that I’ve lived long enough to learn that not everyone wants or needs to know my thoughts, feelings and opinions.

I’m thankful when I see a character in a movie who reminds me of a person who has had a major impact on my life I am still moved to tears because I miss them so much.

I’m thankful for the material possessions I am blessed to own, and for the increasing desire to own less.

I’m thankful for music and the power it has to energize me, to calm me, and to soften my heart.

I’m thankful for bright blue skies and warm (not too warm) sunny days, and I’m thankful for cold rainy days.

I’m thankful for the creative people and their ability to tell a good story and tell it really well.

I’m thankful that I’ve taken the time to remind myself of these things for which I’m thankful, that I have the opportunity and ability to share them with you, and you have taken the time to read them.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:15, NIV)

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Be Kind To Yourself

Vol. 21 No. 46 | November 18, 2019

The holiday season- what’s supposed to be: “the most wonderful time of the year.” It’s the season of gift-giving, thanksgiving, and finding joy and peace. Then there are countless parties, travel, shopping, gift-wrapping, more shopping, and eating, eating, and more eating.

That’s all fine and good. However, this year, there is one person I‘d like to suggest you pay special attention to.

You.

In the midst of all the festivities and making sure everyone else is taken care of, don’t forget to take care of yourself.

What good is it if every member of the family is well-fed, gets the perfect gift, and feels special if you’re so worn-out and frazzled you can’t enjoy time with them.

I understand that you might feel guilty about taking time for yourself, or you might get fussed at if you skip one event or don’t make someone’s favorite pie. But, I promise you, they will survive. They most likely will not starve and their world is not going to end their big present doesn’t arrive on time.

This year, give yourself a gift. Rest. Relax. Sleep. Find a quiet place and take a few minutes to recover from all the activity. Take a walk, not around the shopping center in search of the ultimate gift, a nice slow walk through a park or the neighborhood.

You will not be good for everyone else if you are not good to yourself. You cannot take care of them if you don’t take care of them.

So, here’s an early Christmas gift from me. (Yes, I know it’s not Thanksgiving yet). By the power vested in me, as a fellow human being, I hereby give you permission to be kind to yourself and actually enjoy the holiday season this year.

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How You Want To Be Treated

A Norvell Note

Vol. 21 No. 45 | November 11, 2019

“Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get. (Matthew 7:12, The Message)

These are some of the most well-known and quoted words in all of Scripture. But I often wonder what our lives would be like if we actually put these words into practice.

Parents might listen to their children more intently and with more respect for their children.

A husband might try to be more accepting and kind when his wife has emotions or moods he can’t understand and doesn’t want to talk about.

A wife might just sit and listen to her husband without trying to explain, defend, or fix what is going on.

A politician might respect his constituents more, work harder to make their lives better, and give them the benefit of the doubt that they’re not just out for personal gain.

A church leader might be more sensitive to a member who is frustrated and hurting because she feels inadequate to do what God has called her here to do.

A customer might demonstrate more grace and kindness toward a cashier, even when he isn’t receiving the kind of service he expects.

A writer might be more concerned about using his words to encourage and inspire his readers.

I think I’ll give it a try, and I hope you will too.

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You Are the Potter

A Norvell Note

Vol. 21 No. 44 | November 4, 2019

Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. (Isaiah 64:8 NIV)

I remember hearing these words when I was a child sitting in a church pew. I envisioned a man sitting at his pottery wheel, shaping something from a glob of clay, and it took me decades to understand what these words really meant.

God is the potter. He created us, taking us from an idea to what He imagined we could be and then shaping us into something beautiful.

We are the clay. We aren’t in control of how we are “shaped” or how long it will take for God to complete His creation. We are at His mercy, but His mercies are beautiful.

We are all the work of His hand, and we are all in his hands. Even when the work He does is painful and lasts longer than we want, the end result is always beautiful.

Some days I recognize that He is still shaping me, even in my sixth decade, and I wonder why. What else needs to be changed?

On these days, I have to remind myself that I won’t always understand what He is doing or why. But what I do know is this: He is the potter, shaping me into the image of His Son.

And that is a beautiful thing.

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Have Faith. He Hears You

Vol. 21 No. 43 | October 28, 2019

On any given day, I might pray…

I feel lost. Show me the way. He does.

I feel empty and alone. Fill me with Your Spirit, Your love, and Your wisdom. He does.

I feel broken. Put me back together so I can serve you. He does.

I feel sinful. Cleanse me. Forgive me. Restore me. He does.

I feel weak and powerless. Remind me that You are my strength. He does.

I feel useless. Show me what I can do to live my purpose. He does.

When I pray, the response isn’t always what or when I want. But I know He does hear me, He cares, and He will always respond.

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