Lamentations 3:33 (NIV)For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men.

Dad was a healthy sixty-three-year-old Papaw, and after years of faithful service to the company, he was about to take his retirement.

The phone rang on a rainy Sunday night. Mom and Dad had hydroplaned while driving home, crashing into the woods beside the country road. Mom’s injuries were minor, but Dad had broken his back. After a couple of weeks in the hospital, it seemed dad would be okay. I had just dropped Mom off for a visit, but I hadn’t gone in because my baby girl was asleep in her car seat, and I had visited the day before. Upon arriving back home, I got a call that made my knees buckle. A blood clot had moved to dad’s heart as I dropped Mom off, and by the time she entered the hospital, dad was already gone.

God, why? Why just before he was to retire? Why didn’t I go in with Mom? Why did he have to die alone? When I faced my grief, I had so many unanswered questions, but this I know: God does not willingly bring us grief. He is love and comfort. God does not exempt us from suffering, but he gives us hope in the midst.

The "Grief Is a Wolf" series of pastels will be on display as part of my solo show from March 3 until April 4 at Kore Art Gallery, 942 E. Kentucky St., Louisville, Kentucky 40204. Open Wednesday thru Saturday 11:00 to 6:00, Sunday 12:00 to 4:00.