Strength In Marriage

Moment of self awareness….

Pastor Keon Henderson said “Have, faith and don’t rely on knowing everything”.

Instantly I understood the roller coaster of emotions I’ve experienced almost daily. I’ve been a faith warrior when I understood things, but that really didn’t require faith. It’s those moments of uncertainty, fear and weakness that requires faith!!!

Remember the old song “Lord, help me to holdout, until my change comes”.

Wow, God it’s my heart’s desire to Trust you, even when I can’t Trace you!!

Good morning everyone, just stopped by to encourage married couples to love intentionally.

Lisa and I are in a season unlike any we’ve previously experienced. We can’t do the things we’re accustomed to doing, visit places we normally would. We can’t even share an embrace or sleep in the same bed. It’s a challenge to have a lengthy conversation due to her speaking challenges. Absence of all these things and more leave me regularly contemplating if we missed opportunities with one another in years past? Did we allow work, children, church, outside interests to rob us of meaningful times together?

Although I’m confident this current season will end and normalcy will return, I’m resolved to live out our love more intentionally ! I encourage you to do the same.

Hug more, talk more, experience intimacy more, date more, verbally express your love more! Make your spouse/marriage a priority over everything else. Trust me, life as you know it can change in an instant!

Ecclesiastes 3: 1
To everything there is a season, and a time to every activity under the heavens.

Long post alert……..

This Friday marks one year that Lisa and I woke up to prepare ourselves to check into our hotel in Fort Worth as I was in the middle of being a band member for the stage production of Color Purple by Jubilee Theatre. As result of recent chemo treatments Lisa was having a tough time that morning moving around so she literally stayed in bed at our hotel while I went back and forth knocking out shows, then by the Sunday matinee show Lisa called me to tell me she literally couldn’t pick herself up from our bedroom floor.

Since that day she has spent nearly 10 months in thenhospital and has literally defied death on numerous occasions.

Fast forward and I get the offer to do the Sister Act production by Jubilee and I’m terrified to accept the gig, how can I possibly make such a huge commitment in the middle of such a family crisis? After speaking with our sons, other family members, my doctor I decided to talk to Lisa. Unsurprisingly Lisa was adamant that I do the show so with her pushing me I accepted the gig. Which required two months of studying/learning the score and three additional weeks of nightly rehearsals until 11pm all while being the point person for Lisa’s 24hr home health care (note..Qiana did most of the work).

Although it’s been grueling I decided upon taking on the gig that this one would be dedicated to the lady I now refer to as my “miracle superwoman” the woman that has been my biggest fan and supporter throughout my entire musical career!

Yes I’m very tired but my effort pales in comparison to the inner fortitude, strength and courage that Lisa Guilford exhibits on a daily basis just to survive. So if you see/hear me playing a little more passionately than others gigs now you know why!

Thanks Steven A Taylor for taking the chance on me during this uncertain time. Thanks to Qiana Jones for being a dedicated caregiver, Bernice Fortenberry Burton for stepping in and filling gaps and to my in-laws Dolores and Oliver for taking up all the slack and supporting Lisa as only parents can. And for my sons Andrew and Brandon James Guilford for pushing me to keep living thru this!

Now excuse, tomorrow is opening night and I need to do some more practicing! See u at the show.

Lisa update…….
Fam I really struggled with sharing this update but Lisa’s BFF Bern helped me realized it’s a trick of the enemy to get me to not tell of God’s goodness and mercy throughout this journey.

Last Tuesday morning Lisa was hit with yet another bout of pneumonia, even worse she developed a mucus clot in her lungs that caused her to code which required CPR. Praise God just 48hrs later she was back cognizant, communicating and back weaning from the ventilator. To God Be The Glory for sparing her life!

It’s been an up and down cycle of events. But God reminded me last week that what seems like a setback is really a SETUP for a COMEBACK!!!

Thank you all for your unceasing prayers and please continue to pray for Lisa’s ability to breathe without assistance, her morale and strength. And for my physical and emotional strength.

Love
Dre & Lisa G.

Over the last 7 months I’ve asked God WHY, countless times. I just heard Bishop Jakes say “you can’t have the glory without the story”. Guess my question has been answered!!!

Dre Guilford

Couples, Do you still dream about your spouse?

I woke up this morning and realized not only did I dream about Lisa last night, but I've dreamed about her almost nightly since she has been hospitalized. Why now? and furthermore prior to this stage of our journey. When did I stop dreaming about her regularly??

Point of the post.............

Love your spouse daily to the point that he/she thinks about you even when they're asleep! Remember when you first met and he/she was on your mind constantly? Has that changed? Make investment of time, energy, and resources to rekindle that fire.