The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on shore, to a small uninhibited Island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Everyday he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.Exhausted, he eventually was able to build himself a little hut out of the drift wood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions.
One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky!
He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me!?' Early the next day he awoke to a ship 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.
The moral of the story:
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 our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your Hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God!
