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

Stocking Up and He Knew Why

About a week ago, my husband and I felt a sudden need to stock up on groceries. Bad weather was not in the forecast. The kitchen cabinets and refrigerator held many items for meals. So, why did we both feel the need to stock up on soup, rice, toilet paper, facial tissues, water, etc.? We had no idea. But…God knew.

After Alan and I had completed our shopping at the local grocery store, we went back home and emptied the bags. We commented “Well, I guess it’s a good thing we bought this stuff. Now, we don’t have to go to the store for a while.” and “Glad we’re all stocked up.”

Little did we know that in two days, the awful coronavirus would hit our family. God knew it was coming. God knew we needed to be prepared and stocked up on groceries. Alan began feeling achy and developed a stuffy nose. Two days later, he tested positive for the virus. I tested negative.
Some other members of our family tested positive, while others remained with a negative test result. We are blessed to have our vaccines and boosters. Everyone affected is quarantined and feeling better every day.
This virus affects people in different ways. We’ll never know how the virus came to us, yet, we do know we are thankful for the love and prayers of family and friends, and strangers.
Alan’s symptoms are not as bad as they could be and for that we are thankful.

We continue to pray for everyone affected by the virus and yes, that is everyone in the world. Whether you have had the virus yourself or know someone who has had it, we are all affected.

God constantly shows us His love in every moment of the day and night. While Alan and I were shopping for those extra items and wondering why we felt the need to shop, God knew what would be happening to us.
The love of God is eternal and He cares for us deeply.

During this time of quarantine, Alan and I have watched old movies, read great books, studied Scripture, and video chatted with family. This quiet time has allowed us to slow down and rest in the moment. We’ve noticed the sunshine more, the sounds of ice melting on the roof, the sound of wind whipping in the trees, and the quiet of the neighborhood. The freezing temperatures last night caused the azaleas in the front flower bed to shrivel and pose like a statue.
We also gave thanks to God for His provisions, even though we didn’t know why we would need extra groceries in the house.

When those times come and we don’t understand what is happening, going to God in prayer can bring peace and comfort that only He can give.
You are cherished and loved by Him.

Have a glorious day and stay warm and healthy,
Blessings,
Melissa Henderson aka Mimi

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53 Comments
  • Karen Jurgens Harrison
    Posted at 08:47h, 31 January Reply

    So glad you all are feeling better, Mimi. I can identify with your spirit of discernment that was in operation. God is so gracious to elbow us for what He knows is coming down the road. We’re secure in His hands! Blessings, dear friend.

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 14:36h, 31 January Reply

      Thank you Karen. God always has a plan for us and His plan is always best. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • JD Wininger
    Posted at 13:05h, 31 January Reply

    So very grateful that you, Mr. Alan, and other members of your clan are recovering from this illness Ms. Melissa. Am grateful also for the reminder that God goes before us, and how important it is to listen and act even when we don’t fully understand why. God’s blessings; and continued prayers for a full and fast recovery.

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 14:35h, 31 January Reply

      Thank you J.D. We all are feeling better and praising God for His healing. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Joanne Viola
    Posted at 13:06h, 31 January Reply

    Melissa, I am so glad you and your family are feeling better. It is amazing how the Lord leads and guides us – not only spiritually – but even in practical ways like food shopping. May you all continue to regain health and strength!

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 14:35h, 31 January Reply

      Amen Joanne. Yes, the Lord leads us and guides us spirtually and practically. Thank you for reading and commenting. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Jill Weatherholt
    Posted at 13:22h, 31 January Reply

    I’m relieved to know you and your family are all well now, Melissa. I find so much comfort in knowing God knows all and is able to direct our steps even when we don’t understand. Stay well!

    • Melissa Henderson
      Posted at 14:34h, 31 January Reply

      I agree with you Jill. I find comfort in knowing God knows all. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • karenruhl
    Posted at 15:09h, 31 January Reply

    So glad Alan is on the mend!! It is amazing how God communicates with us. I thought about this verse and wanted to share it with you because I know you and Alan are so faithful. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28 Sending Love, Hugs, and Prayers.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 16:08h, 31 January Reply

      Amen. I love that verse. Thank you for sharing. Our family is feeling great and back to sharing lots of laughter. Have a blessed week. Love and hugs! 🙂

  • Leigh DeLozier
    Posted at 15:15h, 31 January Reply

    So glad that you and your family are feeling better — and that you paid attention to God’s nudging to make that grocery store run and stock up on things. He’s always pointing us in the direction we need to go but I don’t always hear Him or pay close enough attention to the “little” prompts. Thanks for the reminded that following what we think He is telling us is never a bad thing. Take care!

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 16:11h, 31 January Reply

      Thank you for reading and commenting Leigh. Our family is feeling much better. The laughter has returned. We thank God for His healing and mercies. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Gail Johnson
    Posted at 16:00h, 31 January Reply

    Glad you all are feeling better, Melissa. Praying for everyone. Hugs, sweet friend. ❤

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 16:09h, 31 January Reply

      Thank you so much Gail. The laughter has returned to the Henderson family. We thank God for His healing. Have a blessed week! Hugs to you, too, sweet friend. 🙂

  • Kimberly Rose Johnson
    Posted at 16:44h, 31 January Reply

    Happy to hear you and Alan are on the mend! I love how the Lord speaks to us and how much He cares. Thank you for sharing.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 17:43h, 31 January Reply

      Thank you Kimberly. We are praising God. Yes, the Lord speaks to us and He cares for us. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Janet from FL
    Posted at 17:02h, 31 January Reply

    I love it when God shows us that He knows things we do not, and He cares enough to provide for us! I’m glad you all had rather mild symptoms.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 17:44h, 31 January Reply

      Amen. God shows us things every day. We just need to be alert for His messages. The family feels good now. We thank God for His healing. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • June Foster
    Posted at 19:47h, 31 January Reply

    Melissa, I’m so grateful you are both okay. But even more exciting is witnessing God’s hand in all this. He absolutely loves you and takes care of you. Prayers.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 20:44h, 31 January Reply

      Thank you June. Amen. God is with us in every moment. He loves His children. Have a blessed week dear friend. 🙂

  • dscales24
    Posted at 19:48h, 31 January Reply

    Melissa, I am thankful your family is healing. Good for you for following God’s lead. I fear I often miss important things He wants to communicate to me.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 20:45h, 31 January Reply

      Thank you. I pray for all who are sick with the virus. I pray I will be alert to His messages. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • colarnold
    Posted at 20:55h, 31 January Reply

    Hope everyone is now warm and well!

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 21:27h, 31 January Reply

      Thank you. The family is well and warm and happy. Thankful to be full of laughter. Hope you are well, too. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Ava Pennington
    Posted at 23:47h, 31 January Reply

    Glad you’re well!

  • Jessica Brodie
    Posted at 14:01h, 01 February Reply

    So good! I truly hope you are all feeling better. My daughter tested positive on Friday, so we’re all currently in quarantine. Thankfully it’s not so bad (we had it about 14 months ago also) thanks to the vaccines and more. Your point about heeding God even when we don’t understand is SO important! God knows the plan. He loves us, and He steers us well. It’s up to us to listen. God bless you! Your writings bless me SO MUCH.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 15:22h, 01 February Reply

      I’m praying for you and your family. Hope everyone feels better soon. Yes, God knows the plans He has for us. I am thankful He is in control. Have a blessed week dear friend! 🙂

  • Nancy E. Head
    Posted at 14:50h, 01 February Reply

    For most of us, Covid is a chance to lay low and rest. I love that God prompted you to stock up. Wonderful!

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 15:23h, 01 February Reply

      Thank you Nancy. I love how God knows what is best for us. When we pause and listen to Him, we can find the answers needed. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • pennyfrostmcginnis
    Posted at 16:58h, 01 February Reply

    I love when God works out what we need before we know it. Glad you are all felling better and were able to embrace the quiet time.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 22:27h, 01 February Reply

      Thank you Penny. Yes, we are feeling better. We are back to laughing and playing with grandkids. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Barbara Harper
    Posted at 17:54h, 01 February Reply

    What a wonderful testimony of God’s provision and leading. I am glad your husband’s case was not severe and hope all the family members get well soon. They’re saying this virus might hang around, like the flu. I hope it doesn’t, but if it does, I hope it at least ebbs away to the point that it’s not causing the trouble it is now.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 22:24h, 01 February Reply

      Thank you Barbara. I, too, hope this virus leaves soon and never returns. Our family is well now and the laughter has returned. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Lynn J Simpson
    Posted at 21:50h, 01 February Reply

    God knows! I am glad everyone is beginning to feel better, Melissa! It is a virus that does not discriminate.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 22:25h, 01 February Reply

      Thank you Lynn. I’m praying for all who are sick with this awful virus. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Christy B
    Posted at 23:34h, 03 February Reply

    I love how your faith has carried you through a tough situation like family members having COVID. I hope Alan and your other loved ones are now feeling much better!

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 00:11h, 04 February Reply

      Thank you so much. Our family is feeling great. Health and laughter have returned. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

  • Bettie Gilbert
    Posted at 00:02h, 04 February Reply

    Oh Melissa, thank you for thinking of me while you yourself were recovering! Our Father is so faithful to prepare the way before us, isn’t He? Your note came just when I needed encouragement too. Blessings and love to you dear friend!

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 00:14h, 04 February Reply

      Thank you Bettie. Continuing to pray for you. Blessings and love to you, too. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

  • Terri Miller
    Posted at 12:41h, 04 February Reply

    I love when we realize that something that seemed like a coincidence was really a little God-nudge. He’s always working for our good. Glad you guys are feeling better.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 13:32h, 04 February Reply

      Thank you Terri. Yes, I, too, love those God nudges. I pray I am listening for any nudge He gives. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

  • Diana Derringer
    Posted at 22:10h, 04 February Reply

    We serve an awesome God. I pray you feel well soon.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 12:45h, 05 February Reply

      Thank you Diana. The family is feeling better and back to sharing laughter. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

  • Jeanne Takenaka
    Posted at 00:19h, 05 February Reply

    Ahhh, Melissa. I’m sorry your honey and other members of your family have had to deal with the virus. How good of our Father to prompt you two to do some shopping before you were impacted by covid. I hope your family continues to mend quickly.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 12:46h, 05 February Reply

      Thank you Jeanne. We feel better now. We’re praising God for answered prayers. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

  • debwilson2
    Posted at 22:03h, 13 February Reply

    Melissa, I love hearing how God leads His children. I hope you are all better by now!

  • RobbyeFaye
    Posted at 06:20h, 16 February Reply

    So glad you, Alan and family are on the road to recovery.

    We’ve had 3 of our kiddos that live out of town come down with it, along with their spouses and their family members. Even a mild case can be miserable.

    Blessings, prayers and hugs~

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 13:34h, 16 February Reply

      Thank you so much. I pray your family heals quickly. Have a blessed week! 🙂

      • RobbyeFaye
        Posted at 19:12h, 23 February Reply

        Thank you, Melissa. I pray you’re feeling lots better.
        Blessings~

  • Saji Varghese
    Posted at 12:12h, 17 February Reply

    That you keenly listened to His prompt and stocked up, is wonderful. Let’s “be still” and attentive to His whispers and reflect on how powerfully He carries us along in rain, pandemic and whatever. He is simply amazing 🙏.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 14:08h, 17 February Reply

      Amen. Thank you for reading and commenting. Have a blessed day. 🙂

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