The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited
island. He prayed feverishly for someone 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 bad weather, 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. “Lord, how could you do this to me?” he cried.
Early next morning, 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 to his
rescuers.
“We saw your smoke signal,” they replied.
_It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad. But don’t
lose hope even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time
your little hut is burning to the ground – it may be just a smoke
signal that summons the grace to you.
