You’ve probably either heard the story or read it in an email. A woman lives in a house by the river (no, not Chris Farley) and the news warns of a big storm with a possible chance of flooding. Neighbors start sandbagging and buying supplies but she stays at home saying, “I trust God, he’ll take care of me.” The river starts to rise and this person’s neighbors start to pack their things to leave, but she continues to say, “I trust God, he’ll take care of me.” The river reaches full flood stage and evacuations are ordered, but she still says, “I trust God, he’ll take care of me.” Everyone evacuates and the police now urge her to leave, but again she says, “I trust God, he’ll take care of me.” Finally, her house is submerged under water and she is sitting on the roof as boats and helicopters pass by urged her to board. By now it’s no surprise she answers, “I trust God, he’ll take care of me.” Soon after, the woman drowns. Facing God when she enters heaven she asks, “I put all my faith and trust in you. Why didn’t you save me?” And God replies, “I tried, I sent a weather bulletin, neighbors, evacuation orders, the police, and even a helicopter and a boat.”
That’s the funny story. What’s not funny is right now there are five people caught in the Station Fire north of LA after failing to heed evacuation orders. The fire is too severe for them to be rescued. I pray for their safety and for the safety of the over 3,000 firefighters now battling the blaze.