Clubhouse Jr

The boy’s big, brown eyes shot open. Who is calling me in the middle of the night? Samuel thought. He rubbed his tired eyes and looked around. The room was empty.

It must have been Eli, Samuel decided. He jumped up and scrambled barefooted across the cold floor to Eli’s room.

Samuel was a special boy. He did not live in a house with his family. Instead he lived at the temple with Eli, a priest who served God.

Before Samuel was born, his mother promised God that if He gave her a son, she would give the boy back to Him.

God answered her prayer. So when Samuel was very young, his mother took him to live at the temple. She wanted her boy to serve God every day.

The old priest slept soundly as Samuel burst into his room.

“I’m here, Eli!” Samuel said. “I heard you call me.”

Eli rolled over and squinted. “Samuel?” he asked, surprised to see the boy. “Why aren’t you asleep?”

“I heard you call,” Samuel replied.

“I did not call you, dear boy.” Eli chuckled and patted Samuel on the head. “Go on. Go back to bed.”

I must have been dreaming, Samuel thought, stumbling back to his room.

Just as Samuel drifted off to sleep, he jerked awake.< P> “Samuel!”

What does Eli want now? Samuel wondered. He got up and raced to Eli’s side.

“Eli, I’m here,” he panted. “What do you need?”

Eli didn’t move.

“Eli!” Samuel gently shook the old priest’s shoulder. “I’m here!”

Eli grunted and rolled over. “Samuel? What are you doing? I didn’t call you. Go back to bed, and sleep the rest of the night.”

Confused, Samuel obeyed.

“I know I heard my name,” he said quietly.

Samuel pulled the covers up around his neck.

“Samuel!”

He knew he wasn’t dreaming this time. Someone was calling his name. It had to be Eli. No one else was in the temple. Once more, Samuel went to Eli.

“Here I am, Eli,” Samuel said.

Eli sat up. “Come here, Samuel,” he said, drawing the little boy into his arms. “I have not been calling you, Samuel. I think it is God who is calling you.”

“God?” Samuel’s eyes opened wide. “But what . . . what should I say?”

Eli hugged Samuel tightly and smiled. “Do not be afraid, precious boy. Go lie down. If you hear the voice again, just tell God you are listening.”

Samuel tried not to be frightened as he wandered back to his bed. He lay down and pulled up his covers. He listened.

“Samuel!”

Remembering what Eli had said, Samuel sat up and answered quietly, “Speak, Lord. Your servant is listening.”

That night, God gave Samuel an important message for Eli. Samuel obeyed and gave Eli the message just like the Lord had told him. Because Samuel listened for God’s voice, God continued to give him important messages for the rest of his life.

God wants to talk to you, too! You can know God’s plans and hear His voice every day by reading your Bible and praying. Stop to listen. You might hear an important message!