We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Grace C. Okoro . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Grace C. below.
Grace C., thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
Like most, I had my life planned out and thought I knew exactly how everything would turn out. Fortunately, I faced challenges that deterred those plans. I say fortunately because if not for those challenges, I would not be where I am today. I started writing because of a boy: as crazy as that sounds, it is true. My heart was broken for what felt like the hundredth time, and all the pain inside me busted out like an oversized pimple. God used this pain to birth what he was growing in me all along: my purpose. My purpose is to bring understanding towards the challenges people face through wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. My hope is to shed light on the hidden truths of life by the leading of the Holy Spirit. I always knew that life was more than people made it to be, that God was indeed real; I just didn’t know how to bring people to believe as well. Outside one summer day, I asked God as I looked up to the sky, “I know you’re real because the way the world is set up doesn’t make sense. If everyone is born of someone, then who was the first person to start what people call a “chain reaction.” Little did I know, God heard me, and started what I like to call training. Since then, I passed through many difficult challenges that gave me the understanding I needed to help others. My mission now is to spread this truth through different platforms.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Grace Chinenye Okoro, and I am a writer. Being Nigerian-American has shaped who I am as a person. My parents were born in Abia State, Nigeria and came to America for a better life. For many, a better life is a steady form of income and an easy access to supplies like water, food, etc. Although my parents had their struggles, they believed that education would make these struggles disappear. Boy, were they wrong. Education is awesome: don’t get me wrong. I went as far as one could go in the education system by the Grace of God, but I knew early on that to make it in life one needs more than degrees. I realized that yes, the world needs to be educated, but on what it is they are called to do. If you want to be a homeowner and have land, then the education you need is on state taxes, finances, property insurance, and so on. These days people educate themselves on YouTube. Every and all things you want to learn is on there. Many of the foods I cook, I learned on YouTube. My parents had the right mindset when it came to education: being educated does indeed determine success, but it is not the traditional sense of education. The education that you need is on everything you find yourself doing or needing in life. For some, school is that platform needed, for others, it’s just a great mentor. Once I learned this, I realized that I wanted to truly grasp all that life meant for me. I knew that if I wanted a life that was extra ordinary, I would need to unlearn all I knew life to be and learn what life really is. I am proud that through the word of God and the prayers of so many, I am able to persevere. This is what keeps me grounded. I love the stories in the Bible because the lessons learned by each person has helped me grow in so many ways. For example, Moses taught me how to be a leader, and David taught me that what people think about you or how they feel doesn’t matter. That though you may be a “nobody” today, tomorrow, you can become a king.
I want people to know that in life you can be happy. I don’t mean the fake happy people like to portray, but happiness that comes with being fulfilled. When you are fulfilled in life, true joy comes. The Bible talks about the fruits of the spirit, which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When you invite these spirits into your life with the understanding that you may not be able to control what others do but you can control what you allow to affect you, your life will change. Be open-minded, love always, and have peace in all things knowing that God, if you allow Him, will take care of you.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Being raised in a Christian home, I was taught that “If it is God’s will then everything will work itself out; you don’t need to worry.” This saying is indeed true, but many people have interpreted you don’t need to worry, with you don’t need to do anything. Worrying is another form of fear–having concerns or doubts that a certain thing may or may not happen. God wants us to cast all fears unto Him, trusting that He has everything strategically planned out for our life. In due time, it will manifest. What I had to unlearn was believing that because God had everything planned out for me, I didn’t have to do much or work harder. I felt that if I struggled, that was God saying no. Unfortunately, for many Christians, it has caused them to become lazy, waiting for everything they desire to be handed to them without having to apply themselves. What many fail to realize is what sets us apart from others is Grace. God’s Grace brings about favor and allows us to stand out. God still wants us to work hard, and to be an example to the world: when you apply yourself and have faith that what you are doing will work out, then you will reap your reward. Many young women are praying and waiting on God for a husband, and they believe that it will all work out. No need to worry: God is going to bring their marriage together. However, unless they are Rapunzel, staying locked up at home will not yield them any results. God can direct two people together yes, but you have to go out, make yourself seen, so that he can place in the person’s heart the desire to talk to you. I learned that the word of God is to be applied to my life to improve it, not to use it as an excuse to be spoiled or lazy. I now work hard knowing that when I put in effort to do all the things God places in my heart to do, His favor and Grace on me will cause me to stand out and do great things.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
I feel rewarded every time my words change the way a person thinks or sees life. When I share some of the things I have gone through in life, and those experiences change how a person views themselves or life, I am happy. I am happy because I want everyone to be set free from the lies that keep them down or captive. Whether it is knowing that life is more than what we think it to be, or understanding that loving yourself first makes you better and more equipped for a good relationship, I am glad. Even if my life can bring someone closer to God, or push them to want more out of life because they see through me that it is possible, I will be happy. The reward for me is the joy and peace I feel because no amount of fame or money can give a person that
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gracecokoro.wordpress.com
- Instagram: gracecokoro
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRNTYLqDTF0vKfu_X06y5ea
- Other: Podcast: Anchor.fm/grace-c-okoro