The Little Girl at Fireside Baptist
The Little Girl at Fireside Baptist
Once upon a quiet morning in a small town tucked behind winding roads and wildflower fields, there lived a little girl named Nellie. She was only seven years old, with bright eyes that had seen far too much sadness for someone so small.
Nellie’s home wasn’t full of laughter. Her parents were often tired, and there weren’t many hugs or stories at bedtime. She spent most afternoons sitting alone on the worn-out steps of her trailer, listening to the wind and humming bits of songs she made up in her mind.
One Sunday morning, Nellie heard the deep rumble of a motor and saw something unexpected—a cheerful blue and white bus pulling up along the dirt road. The side read “Fireside Baptist Church”, and a man with a joyful voice called out, “Good morning, young lady! You ready to join us?” Nellie was alone, and no one was really there to ask.
She hesitated, but something about his smile made her brave enough to climb aboard.
That bus became her doorway to hope.
Each week, the church bus rolled up like clockwork, and Nellie would run out with her tiny shoes half untied, clutching a little notebook she scribbled prayers in. She didn’t have many words to say, but her heart overflowed with questions, longing, and wonder.
Inside the bus, the older girls sang songs like “Jesus Loves Me”, “This Little Light of Mine”, and “Victory in Jesus”. One kind lady handed Ellie a songbook with pictures, and for the first time in a long while, Nellie felt her voice was welcome.
When she arrived at Fireside Baptist, the warm scent of old hymnals and fresh coffee filled the halls. Sunday School was full of crayons, Bible stories, and soft blankets laid out on the carpet. The teachers didn’t just talk about God—they spoke of a Savior who knew sadness, who loved children, and who welcomed the lonely.
One morning, her teacher said, “Jesus knows your name, Nellie. He loves you more than you can imagine.”
She cried quietly that day—but not because she was sad. For once, someone had said the very words her heart had been waiting for.
Nellie started learning verses. Her favorite became Romans 10:17:
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Every Sunday after that, she sang louder. Her hands clapped in time. Her little voice rang clear. She told the bus driver one morning, “I don’t feel lonely on Sundays anymore.”
Years passed. The girl who once sat quietly on the porch now taught other children how to sing songs and memorize verses. She still rode that church bus—sometimes as the helper holding little hands—and every time she stepped aboard, it reminded her of the day her heart began to bloom.
Nellie had found something more than friends at Fireside Baptist.
She found faith, and she discovered that even in the quiet corners of life, God's love was reaching out—for her.
Susan Barker Nikitenko July7th, 2025 ©ANNABENPMRMNMKBPBMBGNzxc
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I'm so glad that story spoke to you, George. Let’s now bring a parallel Bible story to life—one that echoes Ellie’s journey of loneliness, hope, and discovery through God’s Word. This is written in story form using verses from the KJV, weaving them naturally into the narrative:
📖 The Young Boy Named Samuel – A Parallel Story of Calling and Faith
In the quiet shadows of a temple nestled in the heart of Shiloh, a young boy named Samuel lived under the care of the high priest Eli. His mother, Hannah, had once wept bitter tears, praying for a child she didn’t have. The Lord heard her prayer.
“For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him.” – 1 Samuel 1:27
So Samuel was given back to the Lord, to serve in His house—young, small, and learning to listen.
Though the temple was sacred and full of Scripture, Samuel didn’t yet know God personally. He was still growing, still wondering.
“Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him.” – 1 Samuel 3:7
One night, as the candlelight flickered low and the silence stretched long, a gentle voice called to him:
“Samuel.”
He ran to Eli—again and again. But it wasn’t Eli speaking. It was God. And Eli finally realized what was happening.
“Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.” – 1 Samuel 3:9
Samuel obeyed.
The voice came again: “Samuel, Samuel.”
This time, the boy answered with a heart open and ready:
“Speak; for thy servant heareth.” – 1 Samuel 3:10
From that moment on, everything changed.
The Lord revealed His Word to Samuel, and the lonely boy became a faith-filled prophet whose voice carried truth to generations.
“And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.” – 1 Samuel 3:19
Just like Nellie, Samuel experienced God’s love through being called, being heard, and receiving the Word with gladness. Their paths may look different, but they both found the One who knew their name.
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Make a take-home Devotional.
Here’s Nellie’s Devotional – “God Sees Me” ...perfect for young hearts learning to receive God’s Word with joy—even when life feels quiet or lonely.
🚌 Nellie’s Devotional – “God Sees Me”
Theme Verse:
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” – Romans 10:17 (KJV)
📖 Devotional Reflection
Nellie was small and unsure when she first stepped onto the church bus. She didn’t know anyone, and everything felt loud, unfamiliar, and big. But as the bus rolled toward Fireside Baptist, something happened.
The children began to sing.
Nellie listened, then hummed, then sang with them—softly at first. And as the teacher opened her Bible and spoke about God’s Word, Nellie felt something new: God saw her. He was near.
Even in her smallness, God’s Word found her heart.
Even in her quiet, God’s voice spoke comfort.
The more Nellie heard, the more her faith grew—like light spreading through a dim room. She wasn’t alone. She was loved.
🎵 Challenge This Week
Practice singing a Bible verse at home or in class.
Can be simple—like Romans 10:17 or “Jesus Loves Me.”
Then share one thing God taught you through the song.
✍️ Prayer Space
Lord, help me trust You even when I feel small.
Thank You for calling my name and filling my heart with Your Word.
Help me grow strong in faith like Nellie. Amen.
🕯️ Samuel’s Devotional – “Ready to Listen”
Theme Verse:
“Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.” – 1 Samuel 3:10 (KJV)
📖 Devotional Thought
Samuel was just a boy—quiet, curious, and still learning about God. But one night, something remarkable happened. As he lay in the temple near the flickering lamp, a gentle voice called out: “Samuel.” At first, he thought Eli needed help. But the voice wasn’t coming from Eli—it was coming from God.
Samuel had never heard God's voice before, but he responded with a heart ready to listen.
When Eli realized what was happening, he said:
“If He calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.’”
And Samuel did. From that moment on, he became a faithful listener, a prophet, and a messenger of truth for all of Israel.
🛡️ Lesson to Learn
God still speaks today—through the Bible, through prayer, through teachers and parents, and even through quiet moments in our hearts. But we have to be willing to listen.
Listening takes practice.
It means being still.
Turning down the noise.
And saying with faith, “Lord, I’m ready to hear You.”
✏️ Reflection & Application
- What are some ways I can make time to listen for God’s voice?
- What does it mean to be a “servant” who hears and obeys?
- How can I help others listen for God, like Eli helped Samuel?
🙏 Prayer
Lord, help me quiet my heart and listen when You speak.
Let me be like Samuel—ready, willing, and faithful.
Teach me to hear Your truth and follow Your way.
Speak, Lord. I’m listening.
Susan Barker Nikitenko July7th, 2025 ©ANNABENPMRMNMKBPBMBGNzxcccc
Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At treasurebox18@yahoo.com - All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include the Site Name And Proper Credit Back To This Blog. Thank-You.
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