IS YOUR HUT BURNING?

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up ona small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for Godto rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemedforthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut outof driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to storehis few possessions.

But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his littlehut 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 dothis to me!" he cried.

Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the soundof a ship that was approaching the island. It had come torescue 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 loseheart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain andsuffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground it justmay be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.