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

“Get in there Mimi…Get in there.”

An aroma of warm comfort food filled the home. A delicious dinner of baked ziti, bread and salad was enjoyed by all. Alan and I were visiting with Mike, Christine and Rowan. We provided dinner on Sunday evening. Delightful conversation, laughter filling each room and echoing off the walls. Olive the Boston Terrier racing back and forth from room to room looking for someone to play a game of throw and retrieve. A blessed evening with family.

Dinner finished, dishes readied for the dishwasher and the final chocolate chip cookie eaten for dessert, we slowly walked to the living room. Nice time for conversation and settling down.

Rowan was not ready for rest or quiet. His two years old body was eager to build a tent, play with dinosaurs, sing songs and climb onto the couch and snuggle Bop(Alan) and Mimi(me).

Resting after the meal, Bop positioned himself on the gray couch by leaning over to his side, propping his elbow on top of the couch cushion.

The moment Rowan saw Bop sitting that way, Rowan looked at me and said, “Get in there Mimi…get in there.” I paused and wondered what Rowan was talking about. Then, I could see. Rowan enjoys making tents with blankets and pillows. He wasn’t talking about tents when he made the request.

The way Bop was angled made a small “opening” between the side of his body and the couch. Almost like going into a tent. Rowan was asking me to “Get in there” and snuggle Bop. I was happy to oblige.

Rowan and I both cuddled up to Bop and shared warmth, hugs and love.

This sweet act of snuggling with our grandson made me think about how often God calls us to “Get in there” with Him. Are we listening to the call to share time with Him? Time to pause and feel the warmth of His love.

Have you wanted to “Get in there” with God and enjoy sharing quiet moments and also, sharing laughter with Him? Take a moment and rest in Him.

Blessings, snuggles and laughter,
Mimi

53 Comments
  • Gail Johnson
    Posted at 13:34h, 19 November Reply

    Love this quote: “This sweet act of snuggling with our grandson made me think about how often God calls us to β€œGet in there” with Him.”

    I love snuggling in Father’s arms! Great post, Melissa.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:40h, 19 November Reply

      Thank you Gail. I pray we all will snuggle in Father’s arms. πŸ™‚ Have a blessed day!

  • dscales24
    Posted at 13:47h, 19 November Reply

    Yes! I often invite Jesus to sit beside or lie beside me as I pray.

    And snuggling with grandchildren is one of the best parts of my life!

    Proverbs 17:6: Children’s children are a crown to the aged.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:30h, 19 November Reply

      Amen. Thank you for reminding us of that Scripture. Have a blessed day! πŸ™‚

  • Jill Weatherholt
    Posted at 13:51h, 19 November Reply

    Beautiful post, Melissa! Thanks for the reminder to make it a point to get in there each and every day!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:30h, 19 November Reply

      Thank you dear friend. Have a blessed day! πŸ™‚

  • Lynn J Simpson
    Posted at 14:09h, 19 November Reply

    Thanks Melissa for the comfort of knowing God’s always has His tent available for us!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:31h, 19 November Reply

      Amen. His tent is always available. When we go to Him, we are covered in His love. Have a blessed day! πŸ™‚

  • Jessica Brodie
    Posted at 14:14h, 19 November Reply

    This is precious, Melissa! I love how little ones so often point us in the right direction: God, simplicity, beauty, and love.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:32h, 19 November Reply

      Thank you Jessica. Yes, little ones show us the most beautiful things in life. Have a blessed day! πŸ™‚

  • Jacquie A. Bradford
    Posted at 14:44h, 19 November Reply

    I love the picture of family warmth and closeness. I too have learned so much from my grandson, children are brilliant in their capacity to draw others into love. β™₯

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:47h, 19 November Reply

      Yes, we can learn a lot from children and the ways they show His love. Have a blessed day! πŸ™‚

  • bethbingaman
    Posted at 15:03h, 19 November Reply

    The Lord can use anything! A blessed message you heard!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 15:05h, 19 November Reply

      Yes, yes! A blessed message. πŸ™‚ Have a blessed day!

  • Rev. Art Stanley
    Posted at 15:23h, 19 November Reply

    I chuckled at your lovely story Melissa. You have a thoughtful and charming way of highlighting spiritual insights and uncovering the “God Presence” in the everyday occurrence. Thank you for sharing your GIFT with us. ART STANLEY

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:18h, 19 November Reply

      Thank you Art. I appreciate your kind words and encouragement. We miss you very much. Hope you are well. Have a blessed week! πŸ™‚

  • Carol Souders
    Posted at 16:21h, 19 November Reply

    Wonderful story.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:52h, 19 November Reply

      Thank you for reading and commenting Carol. πŸ™‚ Have a blessed day! Hugs! πŸ™‚

  • June Foster
    Posted at 17:23h, 19 November Reply

    So, so sweet. Your descriptions set the stage then I could just “see” the little tent where Rowan wanted to snuggle with his Mimi.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 17:39h, 19 November Reply

      Thank you June. Rowan is a sweet boy and he does love to snuggle. Have a blessed day! πŸ™‚

  • Invisibly Me
    Posted at 18:10h, 19 November Reply

    Nawww so cute! Enjoy all those snuggles Β β™₯

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 18:16h, 19 November Reply

      Those snuggles are the best! Have a blessed day! πŸ™‚

  • Christy Williams
    Posted at 18:11h, 19 November Reply

    I just love this Melissa! I am long over due for a “get in there” moment. I will take Him up on His offer to do just that. Thanks for the sweet reminder that He is calling us to be close to Him and warmed up by Him when life get cold and uncomfortable.

    Christy

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 18:17h, 19 November Reply

      Thank you Christy. I pray we all will find those moments to be close to Him. Have a blessed day! πŸ™‚

  • Karen
    Posted at 05:18h, 20 November Reply

    Your grandson sounds so adorable! It’s obvious that he is very loved, as are we in the arms of Jesus. Blessings and love xoxo

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:39h, 20 November Reply

      Rowan is adorable! Yes, he is loved and we are loved in the arms of Jesus. Have a blessed day dear friend! Hugs! πŸ™‚

  • Ava Pennington
    Posted at 13:12h, 20 November Reply

    So sweet!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:39h, 20 November Reply

      Thank you Ava. Have a blessed day! πŸ™‚

  • Barb Ready
    Posted at 14:40h, 20 November Reply

    I love this analogy! It’s still hard for me to understand “snuggling up” with the Father. Word pictures like this are so helpful. Yes, I long for it! Thanks for helping me “see” how. πŸ™‚

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 15:51h, 20 November Reply

      Thank you Barb. I pray we all will “get in there” with God. Have a blessed day! πŸ™‚

  • JILL R KEMERER
    Posted at 15:43h, 20 November Reply

    Oh, this made me smile!! Little Rowan brings such joy! And I love how he unintentionally pointed you to God. This time of year gets so busy. We all need this reminder! I’ve been taking a little extra time each morning to “get in there”!

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 15:52h, 20 November Reply

      Thank you Jill. I love how children can point us to God in the simplest ways. Rowan is a true joy. Have a blessed day dear friend. πŸ™‚

  • Yvonne
    Posted at 16:17h, 20 November Reply

    A warm laugh and moving story once again. Thanks for sharing your life with us.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:51h, 20 November Reply

      You are very welcome Yvonne. God provides many stories in my life. πŸ™‚ Have a blessed day!

  • Lori Hatcher
    Posted at 17:45h, 20 November Reply

    I gain so many insights into God through my grandchildren. Like the rest of creation, they point me to Him. Aren’t we blessed to have them in our lives?

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 17:50h, 20 November Reply

      Yes, yes, we are blessed to have grandchildren in our lives. I love how we can learn from each other. Have a blessed day! πŸ™‚

  • nancyehead
    Posted at 12:14h, 21 November Reply

    Love this post. What a wonderful picture of our relationship with God. Have a great Thanksgiving with the family. God bless!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:18h, 21 November Reply

      Thank you Nancy. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family! Have a blessed day! πŸ™‚

  • karentfriday
    Posted at 01:44h, 22 November Reply

    What a sweet story, Melissa. I’m a Mimi too. And I’ll always “get in there” when asked. Love those times with the Lord too!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:07h, 22 November Reply

      I remember you are a Mimi, too. Isn’t that a wonderful name? Have a blessed day! πŸ™‚

  • Melinda Viergever Inman
    Posted at 12:57h, 22 November Reply

    Getting in there is one of the greatest delights of life, whether next to a loved one or when drawing near to God. Thank you for sharing your story.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:08h, 22 November Reply

      I love “getting in there” with Rowan and with God. Very special. Have a blessed day! πŸ™‚

  • Emily Saxe | To Unearth
    Posted at 13:36h, 22 November Reply

    I LOVE this, Melissa! One, how adorable that he said that, but two, how true it is that God desires to “snuggle” with us in ways only He can as our Almighty Father!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:51h, 22 November Reply

      Amen. I love how we can “snuggle” God at any time. Have a blessed day! πŸ™‚

  • Melissa McLaughlin
    Posted at 14:46h, 22 November Reply

    What a precious family memory and a perfect God-analogy! Hoping we see these childlike moments to snuggle with our loving heavenly Father. Blessings to you and yours!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 01:16h, 23 November Reply

      Thank you Melissa. Blessings to you and your family. Have a wonderful weekend! πŸ™‚

  • Vickie@vVickies Kitchen and Garden
    Posted at 01:05h, 23 November Reply

    Aww to go somewhere that we may think is unusual but it’s where we need to be. Sometimes it takes a child to remind us to get in there and get closer to God.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 01:17h, 23 November Reply

      I agree. Sometimes it takes a child to help us remember. Have a blessed weekend! πŸ™‚

  • Marcie Cramsey
    Posted at 13:36h, 23 November Reply

    I so love this! What a precious moment with your grandson! Truly, children want and need to see adults snuggling and loving one another. It gives them a sense of security and comfort. πŸ™‚ Great analogy of how our Lord wants us to simply “get in there” with Him. πŸ™‚

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 18:25h, 23 November Reply

      Thank you Marcie. I learn many wonderful lessons from Rowan. Have a blessed day! πŸ™‚

  • Bettie G
    Posted at 16:09h, 24 November Reply

    Oh Melissa, this is such a sweet picture of God’s love for us! Those Grandchildren sure have a way of touching our hearts so deeply. Thank you for sharing!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 21:46h, 24 November Reply

      Yes, grandchildren sure do have special ways to touch our hearts and remind us of God’s love. Have a blessed week dear friend. πŸ™‚

  • Jeanne Takenaka
    Posted at 14:31h, 27 November Reply

    Melissa, I loved this. Your Rowan sounds like an absolute delight, and like a very relational child. πŸ™‚ Thanks for the word picture of nuzzling in close to God to spend time with Him. I need this reminder, especially in this busy season. πŸ™‚

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