The only survivor of a shipwreck was 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 stunned 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
badly. 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.