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

Oops!! Wrong place…at the right time…

 

Beautiful scenery from the shore to the hills. Redbuds waking from winter sleep. Yellow daffodils standing tall in fields. Blue birds and wrens flying from fence post to tree limb. Mountain views in the distance. Traveling from home to a writers conference filled my eyes with interesting sights along the way. Alan drove and I was in charge of the map, the phone and the printed directions. ( I like to be prepared for any circumstance involving directions).

We left home on Thursday and headed for a writing conference. The hotel had been booked months ago. Suitcases were packed, snack bags filled with pretzels, crackers, trail mix and of course, chocolate. Water and bottled tea were placed in the cool pack. Toiletries packed. Jackets placed on the back seat of the car, just in case the weather was cooler. (Yes, the temperatures were cooler and we were thankful for jackets).

A few stops along the way to stretch our legs and visit the local rest area. The 5 hours trip went very well. The directions were followed and we arrived at the hotel in the late afternoon.

“Ah, there’s the hotel. I’ll be glad to unpack and rest a bit before the conference.” 

Alan drove the car to the front door of the hotel. I gathered empty snack bags and prepared to throw them in the hotel trash can outside the main door.

Car turned off, doors opened, we stood and stretched. I threw the trash away. 

We walked to the main entrance of the hotel, the sliding glass doors opened and I looked at the next building.

“Oops! We’re at the wrong hotel. Our hotel is the next one.”

We had stayed at the same hotel last year so we should have remembered. Of course, traveling over 300 miles can make any person tired. Mistakes are easily made.

Alan and I laughed and shared how we were glad we didn’t go inside and try to register at the front desk. There would not have been a room in our name.

We went back to the car, drove to the next parking lot and started over.

Interesting conversation with the lady who checked us in at the correct hotel. She grew up in the same neighborhood area where I lived  as a young girl. That was in Virginia and now we live in South Carolina. We shared a nice chat. I wondered if God had us arrive at a particular time to share fellowship with this young woman. The odds of meeting someone from the same neighborhood was very small.

We did not share with her how we went to the wrong hotel first. God had a plan for us to meet her and yes, His plan is always best.

The conversation brought joy to us and joy to her, recalling special memories of times gone by.

Can you think of a time when you were in the wrong place at the right time? Share your story.

 

Have a blessed week,

Mimi

 



34 Comments
  • Betty Owens
    Posted at 11:49h, 09 March Reply

    God’s timing is always perfect, so no doubt about that!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 12:49h, 09 March Reply

      Yes, God’s timing is always perfect. Have a blessed day Betty! 🙂

  • Melinda Viergever Inman
    Posted at 14:34h, 09 March Reply

    There have been a few times where I’ve met someone from my hometown so long ago. It’s always been a surprise, a mild shock, and a blessing when that happens. Your post made me smile, Melissa. 🙂

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 14:37h, 09 March Reply

      Thank you Melinda. I truly believe God puts us in certain places at certain times. The young woman we met was a true joy to us. I hope we brought joy to her, too. Have a blessed day. 🙂

  • Jessica Brodie
    Posted at 16:07h, 09 March Reply

    What a neat example of a God-opportunity, Melissa! What a joy!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 16:20h, 09 March Reply

      God provides many opportunities to share His love with others. I pray I will be alert for those times. 🙂 Have a blessed day!

  • Karen Jurgens Harrison
    Posted at 16:34h, 09 March Reply

    Loved your story, Mimi. ❤️ I have been in the wrong place before too. A few weeks ago I wheeled my grocery cart through the parking lot to my car and opened the back door, preparing to unload. Suddenly I saw a woman sitting in the front seat! How did a stranger get inside my car? Shock and fear overtook me, and the woman looked as though she were sharing my same reaction. The back seat didn’t look like mine either. Whose belongings were these? Instantly I realized my mistake. Our cars were lookalikes and I had accidentally opened her car door! I was so embarrassed and apologized profusely. She was very understanding about it, but it gave us both a fright and then a good laugh.😂😂

    Have a blessed day! ❤️xoxo

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 19:24h, 09 March Reply

      OH my goodness! A similar thing happened to me, only I was the lady sitting in the car. A man and woman approached the car, both looking at their cell phones. The woman kept trying to open the back door as I kept shouting, “Wrong car, wrong car.” haha! She finally realized her mistake and apologized. hahaha! Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • nancyehead
    Posted at 17:01h, 09 March Reply

    I did that at a November conference. Only I made the reservation in the wrong town. Had to drive about another hour to get to the right one. Glad they had room at the correct inn. Always something–but always with a reason.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 19:25h, 09 March Reply

      Yes, always something, but always with a reason. God has a plan. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Unmasking the Mess
    Posted at 19:30h, 09 March Reply

    God always has the best timing!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 19:32h, 09 March Reply

      Yes, we are blessed by His timing. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Jill Weatherholt
    Posted at 20:28h, 09 March Reply

    Wonderful story, Melissa. It’s so comforting to know we can relax and trust that His timing places us exactly where we need to be at just the right time. I’m glad you enjoyed the conference!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 20:43h, 09 March Reply

      Thank you Jill. Yes, God’s timing is always perfect. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • June Foster
    Posted at 20:56h, 09 March Reply

    I enjoyed the story, Melissa. It’s so easy to get turned around in a strange place.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 23:18h, 09 March Reply

      Yes, even in the times of getting turned around, God is there and He has a plan. Have a blessed week June! 🙂

  • Anne Mackie Morelli
    Posted at 15:31h, 10 March Reply

    Sometimes we think we are in a wrong place, yet providentially it is exactly where we should be!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 17:06h, 10 March Reply

      Yes, and I need to be alert and ready for His plan. 🙂 Have a blessed week!

  • Yvonne
    Posted at 15:44h, 10 March Reply

    Any great reminder of God’s perfect plan for us. I love the beauty described in your post today. I am ready for spring.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 17:06h, 10 March Reply

      Thank you Yvonne. I am ready for Spring, too. We have a ton of pollen already here in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. 🙂 Have a blessed week!

  • Lynn J Simpson
    Posted at 17:22h, 10 March Reply

    That’s something I would do! I find myself often trying to check into the wrong airline when used to traveling with a certain carrier. A friend of mine went to the wrong church for a service, but if she hadn’t we would have never met. Yes, God’s got us for sure!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 21:42h, 10 March Reply

      The wrong church? Oh my! Yes, God’s plan is always best. 🙂 Have a blessed week!

  • Jeanne Takenaka
    Posted at 01:13h, 11 March Reply

    Ahhh, Melissa. Yes, I’ve definitely had a front row seat when God orchestrated things “just so” so I could meet someone, or so He could bring something to pass in that moment. Those occasions are always heart-filling reminders that He holds us in the palm of His hand and we are always on His mind.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:52h, 11 March Reply

      What a wonderful blessing to know God allows us to meet people and show His love! Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Melissa McLaughlin
    Posted at 01:35h, 11 March Reply

    Such a sweet story, Melissa! How God uses even our “mistakes” for His glory and our good. May we rest in His good plans and His perfect timing.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:54h, 11 March Reply

      I always know that even when I make a mistake, God has a purpose in that mistake. His timing is perfect. Amen. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Lisa
    Posted at 23:26h, 12 March Reply

    I love how God takes our mistakes and creates circumstances of good from them.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 22:13h, 13 March Reply

      Yes, there is always something more going on than we realize. God is at work in every situation. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • debwilson2
    Posted at 00:50h, 15 March Reply

    Melissa, I love how you see the Lord in those little events that make up our lives.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 15:23h, 15 March Reply

      Thank you Debbie. I love how God shows us His love in all situations. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Diana Derringer
    Posted at 11:46h, 18 March Reply

    I had a similar experience, Melissa. I traveled to a conference a week early. I’m so glad it was only an hour from home.

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 13:10h, 18 March Reply

      Very interesting and wonderful how God places us in certain situations. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • ordinarilyextraordinarymom
    Posted at 17:19h, 23 March Reply

    I love when God works that way. Some conversations, we were meant to have!

    • mimionlife
      Posted at 20:54h, 23 March Reply

      I agree. God puts us in certain places at certain times to have those conversations. Blessings! Stay safe and healthy. 🙂

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