Hey, kids! Race cars perform better when they make sure they schedule a pit stop where they can change their tires, refuel their gas tank, and check in with the "Pit Boss." Spiritually, we are the same way. Take a moment to put your engine on idle, grab your Bible, and let's see if we can learn something from Samuel-God's "kid prophet." First, read 1 Samuel 3:1-10.

magine that tonight you fall asleep dreaming you are in another time and place. You are in a tent. Incense hangs in the air like early-morning mist. You hear the faint tinkling of bells. Welcome to the ancient tabernacle at Shiloh!

Eli, a white-haired man dressed in the fine robes of a priest, prays and then slowly pads his way out of the sanctuary.

You peek under the tent flap and notice that the sun is sinking like a kickball in quicksand. In the shadows of the sanctuary your eyes catch a sudden movement. A short shadowy form seems to be scurrying around, stooping low and then stretching high. Who is this mysterious intruder in the sanctuary? you wonder. Does priest Eli know that a robber is about to run off with the golden candlesticks? The hairs on your neck bristle. Your imagination runs wild.

The shadowy form moves toward you. You crouch behind some huge earthen pots of olive oil. You hear the footsteps coming closer. Your heart is thumping! You peek around the pots, eyes wide in the dim light of the candlesticks. What is he doing now? you ask yourself. The person whips out a gleaming white cloth from the folds of his robe and begins to polish the dull gold base of the candlesticks. The flickering candlelight rests on the face of the intruder. You gasp with total shock. You expect the hardened face of a scheming thief. Instead you stare into the smiling face of a boy. He is cleaning the sanctuary. His name is Samuel.

He can't be any older than I am, you think. He would be in our elementary school back home. He sure has an important job around here. Priest Eli must really trust him a lot.

That night the moon looks like an eye of a cat. Softly you tiptoe past Samuel's bedroom and curl up under some shaggy sheepskins. Suddenly you hear a strong, kind voice call "Samuel." Samuel jumps off his sleeping mat and rushes out his door, straight for Eli's room. "Here I am," he tells Eli. "You called me."

Eli stares up at Samuel with startled, watery eyes. "I didn't call you. Go back to bed." Samuel stumbles back to bed.

Just as you begin snoring, you hear the voice again, "Samuel. Samuel." You groggily roll yourself back into the shadows as Samuel rushes past you. Minutes later Samuel plods his way back to bed. As he passes your hiding place you hear him muttering, "Eli said he didn't call me, but I know someone called my name. Could somebody be playing a trick on me?"

The third time the voice calls, Samuel sneaks out of his room like a boy looking for his friend in hide-and-seek. He looks under furniture, behind tent posts, and in oil pots. His young face wrinkles in confusion as he stands once more before Eli. "You called me," he tells Eli. Eli silently shakes his head no. Then a look of understanding and excitement fills Eli's eyes. Eli sits up in his bed, places his tired hands on Samuel's shoulders, and gives this counsel: "Go and lie down, and if He calls you, say, 'Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.'"

You watch as Samuel races back to his room. His eyes are bright with excitement. From your hiding place Samuel looks wide awake, his eyes searching the darkness, waiting to see if God will really speak to him.

Your eyes widen and your mouth flies open as a shimmering light fills Samuel's room. Will God really speak to Samuel? you wonder. You shiver with excitement as you hear the voice once more: "Samuel! Samuel!" He answers, "Speak, for Your servant is listening."

As you listen to God talk with Samuel one-on-one, your mind races with this idea: God is excited about kids working with Him! You close your eyes and dream about what awesome plans God might have for you.

But don't stop dreaming! Listen to God's voice as He calls you to work with Him to make a difference in someone's life this week.

What can I do?
Surprise your mom by vacuuming the house when she least expects it.

Create a card and take it to someone who is lonely.