Tricia Lott Williford’s husband died unexpectedly, leaving her grieving and a single parent. But God promises to redeem and restore our losses. She joins Susie to talk about how God brought comfort in the aftermath of her grief.
For Tricia, her grief came suddenly four years ago as her husband Robb became ill and died within a day.
“I fought for him and screamed his name as I watched his spirit leave his body. And he died right there, December 23, 2010. He was only sick for twelve hours; it turned out he had a septic infection in his bloodstream that attacked his heart. It happened so quickly, and everything’s been different since that morning.”
Tricia says watching her sons grow up and carry on personality traits from Robb has opened her eyes to certain things about her husband.
“I wish I had understood that he wasn’t trying to change me; we were trying to create a life together. I wish I had had that lens rather than thinking he was trying to hold too tightly to my strings.”
She also offers these thoughts to those who are walking in the valley.
• Let yourself feel what you’re feeling without over-thinking it.
• Do the next thing in front of you.
• Recognize that grief is not a linear process – denial, anger, bargaining, acceptance, and shock will intermingle at different points, and that’s all right.
• If someone close to you is grieving, don’t come with words first. Your presence is all that is needed.
• Know that God will always act and be present in your grief, though it may not look the way you would like.
• Know that sometimes, God withholds information to protect us.
Tricia and Robb’s marriage wasn’t always perfect, but they had twelve wonderful years together. “I would not trade that. Even for the darkness that came later.”
She offers this advice to newlyweds, parents, and everyone.
“Live in the moment. Be very aware and be very thankful. Look for ways to love one another and be thankful for each other. Don’t worry about what you don’t know.”
Key Scriptures: James 1:2-4; John 11:33-36; Psalm 34:18-19
Theme Song: Hope in Front of Me by Danny Gokey
