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. St. Paul
wrote, "...I have learned the secret of being
content in any and every situation, whether well fed or
hungry, whether living in plenty or in want" (Philippians
4:12).
St. Paul had confidence that good would come out of
everything (Romans 8:28), so he learned to be thankful,
not bitter, even when he was suffering.
Remember the next time your little hut is burning to the
ground--it just may be a smoke signal that summons the
grace of God.
