The only survivor of a shipwreck washed up on a small
uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to
rescue
him. Everyday he scanned the horizon for help, but
none
seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to
build a little hut of driftwood to protect him from
the
elements and to store his possessions. But one day,
after
scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his 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 awakend 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.
Remember, next time your hut is burning to the ground
- it
just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of
God.
