Guest Post by Oreoluwa Oderanti:
Hearing God through trial and error
When I started this journey, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I only knew that I wanted to start my own business, to live a life on my own terms still being guided and led by God. But also in a way that allowed me to be there for my family and to enjoy the beautiful blessings. It became clear with our second child that I didn’t want to live a life of having a full-time job during the week but only having evenings and weekends with the people that matter most and most times even too tired to spend quality time. So back to figuring out what I wanted to do. I was an accounting major in my undergrad and I thought something along those lines would be what I wanted to do. So, I took a training course for bookkeeping, got the certificate but while looking for clients and networking. However, it still felt ingenuine to connect and also unclear that this was what I was supposed to be doing. Then I tried copywriting and got hung up on that too and it still wasn’t working.
Finding my calling and noticing noise of naysayers
About a year later, I started looking into Interior Design and things began to click for me that this is what I wanted to do! I already dabbled in some home décor and creativity at home and as soon as I started taking the course and doing my research, this was more along my alley. I prayed about it, put in motion to work part-time so that I could have some time during the evening to work on my business and start building it. Along the way, as I talked to people about it and even some of those close to me, there has been a lot of noise and I say this in the humblest way possible. I have gotten a lot of discouragement, push to go another way, not to give this business the time it will take to grow. But I have also prayed fervently and love all those people and here is what stood out and has also kept me going.
Hearing God means being confident in his Word
Habakkuk 2:3 “The vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.”
Another bible verse that has really helped me to focus and be confident is 1 Kings 19; 11 – 12; how God wasn’t in the noise but instead was a still gentle voice, and that’s what I have been holding onto. That quiet voice of peace.
Because at the end of the day, to get to anywhere in life, we will face challenges, even from those we least expect. It’s important to differentiate between the noise, be able to tell between wise counsel and God’s voice. I am confident my Interior Design business will become the beautiful vision of my mind’s eye. I also hope that along my journey to get there, people that didn’t understand it and even my kids will be able to say mom was resilient, she didn’t waver, and they will know that they can be anything they choose to be with hard work and God’s still voice guiding them. I am thankful to my amazing and loving husband, extended family, pastors, and mentors who have helped guide me to where I am today. You may have heard the saying “no man is an island,” well I wouldn’t be the same or be here without them.
Meet the Author: Oreoluwa (Ore) Oderanti
I am a wife and mom of 3 wonderful kids and still working part-time as a project analyst for most of the day. I am currently getting my business processes together, refining my purpose and the problem I solve, and who I serve. an Online Interior Designer, I love serving busy parents and busy professionals with the goal of inspiring them to love where they live in color. I use a modern eclectic and colorful style to design spaces that exude excitement, joy, peace all using color. As we all know colors show different emotions and when used in a space, they can really transform the mood in the space. My mission as well is that these busy moms, dads, and professionals can focus on whatever matters to them most, whatever brings them joy when they see the beautiful place they can now relax in and call their own. Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, and my website, inspiredorehomedecor.com.