Turning a Deaf Ear

For days we have heard about the oncoming powerhouse that is Hurricane Ike. The television stations have run storm predictions, evacuations, damage assessments for what seems like forever. And today I read that 10s of THOUSANDS of residents of the great state of Texas ignored the warnings (what part of the phrase "certain death" don't you get?) and chose to stay in their homes. Now in addition to the clean-up, relocation and care of those who DID heed the warnings, Texas officials will have to spend precious time and money rescuing these dumb bastards.

I guess that prompts the question: How dumb do you have to be in order to live in Texas (and how dumb were we for electing one of them our president??? TWICE???)

I can understand not wanting to leave the home that you have cared for and paid for and created memories in for countless years. No one wants to sit and wonder if their home is being pummeled in 125 mph winds while they sit in a nice warm shelter. And even if your home does survive, what about looters afterwards?

Still, isn't it better to be alive with nothing than dead amongst the rubble of your house?

It reminds me of that e-mail that went around recently about the woman of deep faith who decided to stay in her home despite dire hurricane predictions. When a rescue worker in a fire truck came to evacuate her, she refused saying, "Thank you but the Lord will protect me". When the flood waters rose and she was trapped on her second floor, a boat came by and rescuers pleaded with her to come, to which she calmly replied, "No thank you, the Lord will protect me". And when the flood waters had reached the roof and rescuers came in a helicopter, she refused saying, 'No thank you, the Lord will protect me."

Next thing you know, the woman is in heaven, asking God why he didn't protect her. God replies, "I sent you a fire truck, a boat and a helicopter! What more did you want?"

It may not be God speaking to you when the governor of your state tells you to evacuate or face certain death, but it could be God speaking THROUGH your governor.

Good luck to all those folks in Texas and may God protect you.