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

A Visit with Nature

A Visit with Nature

“Where are you going? Do the plants need water again?” I hear these questions several times a day when I gather my garden gloves and empty milk jug to head outside. My answer is usually the same. “I’m stepping outside to visit with nature.” 

The heat index has risen to 117 recently. Families in the neighborhood are staying inside. No bicycles, toys, inflatable pools, or other summer playthings are found in yards. The sounds of summer have quieted while everyone stays inside to stay cool. 

Thunder rolls in the clouds on some mornings. Yesterday, the loud booms could be heard for hours. Lightning lit up the sky. Yet, the rain didn’t fall. The sky grew darker, the wind started blowing leaves off of trees, and I continued to look out of the windows for any raindrops that might be coming.

While listening to the rain tapping on the roof, and watching the trees sway back and forth, I noticed how things were changing in nature. The birds stopped singing. Hummingbirds stopped visiting the feeders. The frogs in the forest were quiet. A storm was coming.

Finally, after hours of waiting, heavy downpours filled the ponds and streets with water. The storm rolled through and when it was gone, life began to emerge from the quiet hiding places. A beautiful fog sat above the neighborhood ponds. Birds sat on the branches of trees and shook their wings. Hummingbirds returned to the feeders. The tree frogs made loud sounds as if they were alerting every creature that the storm had passed.

I stepped outside of the house and saw one flower pot turned over. The wind had whipped the pot out of its normal resting spot. Placing it back into the regular nesting spot, I was ready for a visit with nature.

With garden gloves in my pants pocket, I was ready to work. There’s a special pair of tennis shoes that I use when I’m working in the dirt. I marked them with a “G” for “garden”. My previous work shoes had an “O” for “outside”. 

My visit with nature included pausing and thanking God for the rain, the cooler temperatures during the storm, and His blessings and protection. After heavy rainfall, things look different. Leaves drip tiny droplets onto the ground. The mulch in the flower bed has been displaced and spread across the yard. Mushrooms begin to form in the soil. The old has washed away and the new is coming.

I thank God for His provisions. What a wonderful time I enjoyed during my visit with nature.

Resting in His promises brings peace and comfort.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)

Laughter can come after a storm, too. While I was basking in the joys of nature, a frog hopped in front of me as I walked in the grass. I screamed, jumped, and then laughed. I thanked God for the laughter, too. “It’s always a story with the Henderson’s.”

Have a blessed day,

Mimi aka Melissa Henderson

20 Comments
  • Diana Derringer
    Posted at 11:26h, 17 July Reply

    We finally received much-needed rain last night too, Melissa. I thank God for all life’s blessings.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 11:49h, 17 July Reply

      Diana, we had thunder last evening, but no rain. There is rain in the forecast today. Hopefully, rain will come and the temperature will be cooler. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Virginia J. Foster
    Posted at 14:55h, 17 July Reply

    Melissa, I love your descriptions of the summer season in your area. Your ability to use words to bring the scene alive to the reader is a blessing.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 22:52h, 17 July Reply

      Thank you so much. I appreciate you taking the time to read my writing. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Stephen De La Vega
    Posted at 16:18h, 17 July Reply

    Melissa, your writing is so alive, I felt like I was there experiencing everything as well. And all of this was created and designed by God, who maintains control. Thank you for this visit with nature, a break away from my mundane.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 22:53h, 17 July Reply

      Thank you Stephen. We are truly blessed by the creations of God. Have a blessed day! 🙂

  • Barbara Harper
    Posted at 16:51h, 17 July Reply

    A good rain can be so refreshing. We need some soon. Glad you got some!

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 22:53h, 17 July Reply

      Yes, refreshing. Today, we had more heat and thunder, but no more rain so far. We’ll see what tomorrow brings. 🙂 Have a blessed day!

  • Yvonne M Morgan
    Posted at 11:00h, 18 July Reply

    We’re traveling but I’ve checked our weather at home and we finally got some rain too. It also cooled our temps from low 100 to upper 80s. What a blessing. Thanks Melissa

  • melissamclaughlin55
    Posted at 16:17h, 19 July Reply

    Thank you for taking me on a walk with you to visit nature. I felt like I experienced the scenes with you. I see God’s beauty and power in nature. What a blessing! And yes, the laughter is a blessing, too!

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 12:19h, 20 July Reply

      Thank you so much Melissa. The creations of God are wonderful and glorious. Have a blessed weekend! 🙂

  • karentfriday
    Posted at 02:13h, 20 July Reply

    It’s been dry and hot where we live as well. The grass has actually felt crunchy walking in the yard. We’ve finally had some much needed rain the last several days with cooler temps and lower humidity.

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 12:04h, 20 July Reply

      Hello Karen. We, too, had some rain yesterday. More rain is in the forecast for today. The plants are beginning to look healthier. 🙂 Haec a blessed weekend!

  • Jessica Brodie
    Posted at 21:10h, 21 July Reply

    You always bring a scene to life. Thanks for the reminder of the blessings God provides!

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 12:20h, 22 July Reply

      Thank you Jessica. God’s creations are amazing. I love to pause and absorb His love. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Debbie Wilson
    Posted at 20:57h, 22 July Reply

    It’s been a hot summer here too. Enjoyed your joy in nature!

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 21:05h, 22 July Reply

      Thank you Debbie. Hope you are staying cool today. We’ve heard a few rumbles of thunder this afternoon. Have a blessed week! 🙂

  • Karen Jurgens Harrison
    Posted at 21:36h, 31 July Reply

    Sorry for such a late response, Mimi. It has been hot here too, with occasional rainstorms. I ;ove your descriptions brimming over with sensory imagery–excellent! I felt like I was there with you. Have a great August…where has the summer gone? Blessings and love xo

    • Melissa G. Henderson
      Posted at 11:43h, 01 August Reply

      You are so kind. Thank you for reading and commenting. Blessings and love to you, too. Have a wonderful day dear friend. 🙂

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