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

When Bop needs to shave…

Grandson Rowan blesses us with giggles every day. Each moment is a new experience for a child who is almost two years old. Playing with toy trucks, toy dinosaurs, blocks and more give him joy. Sharing the day with cousins allows time for lessons in learning and caring. From counting to cuddling his stuffed animals to running and looking in the sky for airplanes, this boy is full of love and laughter and tons of energy.

Rowan loves everyone. He has a special relationship with my husband. I am thankful for this bond between Rowan and Alan. Β While visiting son, daughter-in-love and Rowan, “Bop”(Alan) reaches down and gathers this sweet boy in his arms. Sweet snuggles and conversation between Rowan and his “Bop”. What a tender sight!

One of the recent chats between Rowan and “Bop” caused me to laugh out loud. “Bop” tried to snuggle close to Rowan for a hug like usual. This time, Rowan paused, looked at Alan’s face and said, “Bop dirty.”

What could he mean? Did he think “Bop” needed a bath? Hmmm……

No, “Bop” was not stinky or in need of bathing.Β Rowan was referring to the slight whiskers on Alan’s face. Yes, the whiskers are black with a little white sprinkled in here and there. If you look at those whiskers closely, they do resemble dirt.

Rowan is smart. We did explain how his “Bop” was not dirty, just needed to shave. Whether he understood about shaving or not, the conversation soon changed to other things.

The thoughts of an almost two years old changes quickly. One moment, he was worried about “Bop’s” dirty face. The next moment, he is running through the house chasing the dog.

Ahhh… the life of a child. Love and laughter. Just make sure your face is clean if you want a hug. πŸ™‚

I am reminded that we are washed clean by Him. Have you asked Him into your heart today? Do you need to “shave” and get rid of the dirt in life? Ask Him for help. He is listening.

Have a blessed day,
Mimi

 

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50 Comments
  • Vickie@Vickie's Kitchen and Garden
    Posted at 08:48h, 24 June Reply

    From the mouths of children..they make us laugh everyday here too. For some reason when they were both little they loved watching Pop shave too. They were fascinated about the whole process.
    Have a great day Melissa!

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 15:25h, 24 June Reply

      Children find the most innocent ways to give us joy and laughter. πŸ™‚ Have a blessed week!

  • MrsTina Rice
    Posted at 11:08h, 24 June Reply

    Melissa, this is such a cute story.
    Blessings, Tina

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 12:48h, 24 June Reply

      Thank you. πŸ™‚ Have a blessed day!

  • Karen
    Posted at 14:07h, 24 June Reply

    Wonderful analogy, dear Mimi. It makes you wonder how our sin appears to God? Since He washes us white as snow in His blood, we probably do look “dirty” in the spirit before we ask for and receive forgiveness. I enjoyed learning more about Rowan’s cute little personality–he must be a doll. You are one very blessed Mimi! Lots of love and hugs xoxo

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:27h, 24 June Reply

      Thank you Karen. Amen, we are washed in His blood. Yes, Rowan has quite a cute personality. He always gives us reasons to laugh. Have a blessed day! πŸ™‚

  • Jessica Brodie
    Posted at 14:36h, 24 June Reply

    This is precious. I love the wise and resilient heart of kids!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:41h, 24 June Reply

      Children are true blessings. πŸ™‚ Rowan definitely brings joy to our lives. Have a blessed week! πŸ™‚

  • Jill Weatherholt
    Posted at 14:52h, 24 June Reply

    <3

    • Jill Weatherholt
      Posted at 15:09h, 24 June Reply

      So sweet, Melissa. I was trying to make a heart above.

      • mimionlife
        Posted at 15:24h, 24 June Reply

        Thank you Jill. πŸ™‚ Have a blessed week!

  • dscales24
    Posted at 15:47h, 24 June Reply

    Grandchildren are a wealth of wisdom! I learn new (important) lessons from mine every time I am with them. Thanks for sharing this sweet story.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:01h, 24 June Reply

      Thank you for reading and commenting. Rowan is our first grandchild. He is precious! Have a blessed week! πŸ™‚

  • bethbingaman
    Posted at 16:00h, 24 June Reply

    I, too, am finding Grands to be wise and also keeping me humble!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:02h, 24 June Reply

      Amazing how we can learn so much from the young people. πŸ™‚ Have a blessed week!

  • J.D. Wininger
    Posted at 17:10h, 24 June Reply

    What a delightful way to remind us that we all need to clean ourselves up a bit before we go to visit our :Bop.” I call Him Abba, but i think that same unadulterated love connection exists. What a smile you brought today Ms. Melissa. Thank you. I think I’m going to peek in the mirror; just in case. πŸ™‚ God.s blessings to you and your family.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 18:34h, 24 June Reply

      Thank you for your comments J.D. πŸ™‚ Amen. We all need to clean ourselves up a bit. Have a blessed week!

  • Carol Souders
    Posted at 17:25h, 24 June Reply

    What a sweet story! Made me smile.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 18:35h, 24 June Reply

      Thank you Carol. Have a blessed week! Glad to give you a smile. πŸ™‚

  • karentfriday
    Posted at 19:44h, 24 June Reply

    Ha ha! Cute story, Melissa. It makes sense Rowan would think a beard was dirty until someone explained anything different. Kids are so fun and the things they say…priceless!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 20:11h, 24 June Reply

      I love being a “Mimi”. πŸ™‚ Yes, kids are so much fun. Have a blessed week! πŸ™‚

  • authordlv
    Posted at 20:32h, 24 June Reply

    What a special visit, as I’m sure it is for all other visits. Thanks for the smile.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 20:39h, 24 June Reply

      Yes, very special visits. We moved from VA to SC just to be near son, daughter-in-love and first grandchild. Rowan is very special. Almost 2 years old. πŸ™‚ Have a wonderful, blessed week!

  • Melissa McLaughlin
    Posted at 21:19h, 24 June Reply

    Oh, Melissa, I loved this sweet story! Little ones are so precious and they say the cutest things! I loved your faith connection at the end. So often, the childlike questions and comments can be clearly applied to our lives of faith in Christ. May we be awake to anything that might hinder our closeness with Jesus.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 23:11h, 24 June Reply

      Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes, I pray we will be alert to ways to be closer to Jesus in every moment. Have a blessed week! πŸ™‚

  • June Foster
    Posted at 23:52h, 24 June Reply

    What a sweet story and so special.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:19h, 25 June Reply

      Thank you June. I love how children can provide such sweet situations in life. Have a blessed week! πŸ™‚

  • Julie
    Posted at 01:56h, 25 June Reply

    Cute story, Melissa!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:18h, 25 June Reply

      Thank you Julie. Have a blessed week! πŸ™‚

  • nancyehead
    Posted at 11:28h, 25 June Reply

    Nice analogy. And it reminds me that what I perceive as dirt in someone else might not be so.

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 13:17h, 25 June Reply

      Thank you Nancy. Have a blessed week! πŸ™‚

  • Emily Saxe | To Unearth
    Posted at 13:17h, 25 June Reply

    I love how God can speak truth to us even in the innocent observations of children!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:18h, 25 June Reply

      I agree. I love how God speaks to us through children. Have a blessed week! πŸ™‚

  • Marcie Cramsey
    Posted at 17:46h, 25 June Reply

    I love your storytelling, Melissa! You bring joy and smiles to my heart! Children are so literal. To have the moment to moment joy flitting from one thing to another again! Children are the precious sight of an anxiety free life!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 22:30h, 25 June Reply

      Your words touch my heart. Thank you so much for your encouragement. Have a blessed week! πŸ™‚

  • Candice Brown
    Posted at 17:50h, 25 June Reply

    We can always count on honesty from young children. They tell it like it is. The Bible tells us about the faithful wounds of a friend; i have a friend in my life whom God has used to tell me I need a shave πŸ˜€πŸ’•

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 22:31h, 25 June Reply

      Yes, children can be honest. They tell things from their innocent perspective. So sweet. Have a blessed week! πŸ™‚

  • Yvonne
    Posted at 19:29h, 25 June Reply

    Thanks Melissa, I so look forward to all your stories. Sometimes I do need to be reminded to wash my face by always seeking Jesus. Thanks for the smile.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 22:32h, 25 June Reply

      Thank you so much Yvonne. I appreciate your encouragement. Have a blessed week! πŸ™‚

  • Jeanne Takenaka
    Posted at 02:48h, 26 June Reply

    Oh my goodness, I loved this post, Melissa. When I was at church on Sunday, I kept watching the little children running around, tugging their parents to one place or another . . . and I remembered our boys when they were small like that. I miss those “easy” years. But, I love my boys so much now as they navigate the teen years (adding a few grays to my Hubs’ and my heads) toward adulthood. It’s really special that you both have such a sweet relationship wtih Rowan.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 19:02h, 26 June Reply

      Children sure do give us opportunities for laughter. We love the special times we share with Rowan. πŸ™‚ Have a blessed week!

  • debwilson2
    Posted at 17:21h, 26 June Reply

    So cute, Melissa. But a little scary what might come out in front of a stranger who doesn’t understand!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 19:03h, 26 June Reply

      Haha! Rowan certainly makes us laugh a lot. The innocence of children is truly heartwarming. Have a blessed week! πŸ™‚

  • Lynn J Simpson
    Posted at 19:39h, 26 June Reply

    How sweet! We are washed clean and then move on. That’s the hard part I find! Your story has given me another reason why Jesus calls us to be like children!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:19h, 27 June Reply

      Thank you Lynn. Have a wonderful, blessed day! πŸ™‚

  • Lily Pierce
    Posted at 16:43h, 28 June Reply

    Adorable!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 11:55h, 29 June Reply

      Thank you Lily! Have a blessed weekend! πŸ™‚

  • Chandra Lynn
    Posted at 00:36h, 30 June Reply

    Children are simply adorable! Thank you for sharing this sweet story and giving us something to think about too.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 02:58h, 30 June Reply

      You are so kind. Yes, children are simply adorable. Hubby and I enjoyed a fun evening with Rowan. His parents went on a date to celebrate their wedding anniversary. πŸ™‚ Have a blessed weekend!

      • Chandra Lynn
        Posted at 15:58h, 30 June Reply

        Those moments are so precious. I know you cherish them.

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