The Burning Hut
---------------
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. 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). 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. Who knows?
Remember next time your little hut is burning to the ground--it just may
be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.