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.

"For cryin' out loud, lady," God said. "I sent three boats!"