Old Mrs. Watkins awoke one spring morning to find that the river 
had flooded the entire first floor of her house. Looking out of 
her window, she saw that the water was still rising. 

Two men passing by on a rowboat shouted up an invitation to row 
to safety with them. "No, thank you," Mrs. Watkins replied. "The 
Lord will provide." The men shrugged and rowed on. 

By evening, the water level forced Mrs. Watkins to climb on top 
of the roof for safety. She was spotted by a man in a motorboat, 
who offered to pick her up. "Don't trouble yourself," she told 
him. "The Lord will provide." 

Pretty soon, Mrs. Watkins had to seek refuge atop the chimney. 
When a Red Cross cutter came by on patrol, she waved it on, shouting, 
"The Lord will provide." So the boat left, the water rose, and 
the old woman drowned. 

Dripping wet and thoroughly annoyed, she came through the pearly 
gates and demanded to speak to God. "What happened?" she cried. 
"What else did you want me to do," God said. "I sent three boats."

Author Unknown