Grumpy the Gator

In Grumpy the Gator, a group of children playing encounter a grumpy alligator. The story teaches children to always keep a safe distance from animals in the wild, and to find an adult if they see an alligator.

Grumpy the Gator

Its Always A Story With The Hendersons

Beach, ocean waves and I weigh more than you..

Every few months, ocean tide permitting, our church holds worship service on the beach across the street from the church building. Cars arrive early in the morning and parking spaces are found in the church lot. Trunks are opened and beach chairs pulled out and carried to the location set up for the gathering.

“Good morning. How are you?” can be heard over and over. “What a glorious morning to worship the Lord!” “Wow, isn’t this the most beautiful day?” Conversations and greetings continue until we are all seated and the service begins.

Old friends, new friends, visitors from out of town… we all become one as we relax in comfortable chairs and prepare for a unique worship experience. This past Sunday, the sun was shining brightly and pelicans flew over the ocean, finally resting in a row on the water. I wondered if the pelicans were having church, too.

Prepared for service to begin, I calmed and noticed my surroundings. Slowly breathing in and out, I noticed bicyclists passing by, pausing to look at our group on the beach. Cars slowed as drivers and passengers glanced over to see what was happening. Fishermen on the small bridge stood and waited for their fishing lines to move.

The ocean waves moved in and out, in and out. The constant movement gave me the thought of how our passion for sharing God’s love can move in and out at times. Some days, we are full of excitement and movement in sharing God’s love and other days, we sink back into our own lives without using our words or actions to show others how much He loves them. Like the ocean, we can come in with power and then, like the ocean waves, we retreat. In and out…in and out…

Let’s make today full of sharing His love with others. Let’s make our actions and words glorify Him.

On another note… after service was completed and we prepared to fold our beach chairs and place them back in the trunk, Alan began wiping sand off of the bottom of the chairs. My chair barely had sand on the bottom. His chair was covered in sand. Sweet husband looked at me and said, “My chair has more sand on the bottom because I weigh more than you. My chair sunk further down in the sand.” What a sweet thing to say! 🙂

Have a blessed week! Remember to purchase your copy of “Licky the Lizard” on Amazon. Thank you.
Mimi

 

Melissa Henderson, Author
Website and blog: http://www.melissaghenderson.com
Amazon link to “Licky the Lizard” http://a.co/d/0a3COnd
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29 Comments
  • lelandandbecky
    Posted at 13:31h, 16 October Reply

    Exceptional post, Mimi! Thank you!

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 13:34h, 16 October Reply

      Thank you. Have a wonderful, blessed day! 🙂

  • Jill Weatherholt
    Posted at 14:12h, 16 October Reply

    Such a beautiful post, Melissa. I felt as though I was relaxing on the beach with you. Loved Licky the Lizard! <3

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 14:13h, 16 October Reply

      Thank you Jill ! I appreciate you so much. 🙂

  • June Foster
    Posted at 14:51h, 16 October Reply

    Again, you made me smile, Melissa. Great post.

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 15:24h, 16 October Reply

      Thank you June. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • brittneymcniell
    Posted at 14:54h, 16 October Reply

    Love this reminder. Sometimes I get distracted by the day-to-day tasks. Great to refocus! Thanks for sharing

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 15:26h, 16 October Reply

      🙂 Thank you!

  • brittneymcniell
    Posted at 14:56h, 16 October Reply

    I am also a tad jealous that you get to have church on the beach!! I’m currently wrapped in a huge sweater drinking coffee to stay warm.

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 15:25h, 16 October Reply

      We moved from VA to SC last year and have already adapted to the warmer weather. 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting. Stay warm. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Invisibly Me
    Posted at 15:55h, 16 October Reply

    I could almost feel myself on that beach, and a sweet thing to say about the sandy chairs. A wonderful description of the time there, the bicyclists, the nature, the things you realise when you stop to take it all in. Have a lovely week, Mimi 🙂

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 16:04h, 16 October Reply

      Thank you. I truly enjoy the beach services. Thanks for reading and commenting. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Gail Johnson
    Posted at 16:38h, 16 October Reply

    A beach service sounds wonderful!

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 16:42h, 16 October Reply

      Yes, beautiful way to worship! 🙂 Have a blessed day!

  • Bettie G
    Posted at 16:39h, 16 October Reply

    What a gift to be able to worship together on the beach–especially so soon after all of the storms! May I keep my focus on living my faith also, not hoarding it away. It’s something He’s been speaking to me lately too. Thanks for this beautiful confirmation.

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 16:43h, 16 October Reply

      Yes, truly a gift! The storms have passed and the sun is shining today. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • realtalk859
    Posted at 18:00h, 16 October Reply

    I would love to attend that worship service. God often speaks to me through nature. What a beautiful picture of taking God outside the walls that usually separate us.

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 18:33h, 16 October Reply

      Worship service on the beach is definitely one of my favorite ways to experience the glory of God. Thank you so much for reading and commenting. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • michellekaderlywelsh
    Posted at 18:23h, 16 October Reply

    I really like how you tied it all together with the waves and beach. Great descriptions. Sounds like a wonderful day, and such a thoughtful husband. 🙂

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 18:33h, 16 October Reply

      Yes, he is a thoughtful husband. 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • debwilson2
    Posted at 19:16h, 16 October Reply

    Melissa, I wanted to be right there with you. Love the photo too.

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 20:42h, 16 October Reply

      Thank you! Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • vickie
    Posted at 19:38h, 16 October Reply

    I love the thoughts of church on the beach. What a wonderful time praising the Lord you must have! I can picture it in my head.

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 20:42h, 16 October Reply

      Truly a special experience when we have worship service on the beach. 🙂 Have a blessed week!

  • Karen
    Posted at 03:37h, 17 October Reply

    What a great way to witness about the Lord and draw in those who would never set foot in a church. Taking a service to the beach is a wonderful way to worship and witness at the same time! Glad you’re enjoying SC, Mimi. XOXO

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 11:22h, 17 October Reply

      Thank you. We have adjusted to warmer weather and watching for alligators in the neighborhood. 🙂 Church service on the beach is amazing. Have a blessed week dear friend! 🙂

  • jmshistorycorner
    Posted at 06:22h, 23 October Reply

    Sounds delightful.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:14h, 23 October Reply

      Truly delightful. A wonderful worship experience. Have a blessed day! 🙂

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