The only survivor of a shipwreck washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed
feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none
seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of
driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. But then one
day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the
smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stung
with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was
approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was
here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal,"
they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad. But we shouldn't lose heart,
because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering.
Remember next time your little hut is burning to the ground- - it just may be a smoke
signal that summons the grace of God.
