The following morning, Pastor Tayo came to wake Ogechi up for "family devotion". Everyone was already awake and in the living room, even little Sarah. It was some minutes to 6am.
Darasimi led them in a short praise and worship session, then Joshua was asked to read the devotional for the day. Afterwards, Pastor Tade gave more insight on the scriptures they read.
Pastor Tayo raised a few prayer points. Then they shared the grace and went to get ready for the day.
The whole thing was new to Ogechi but she liked it. She would replicate it in her own family, God-willing. Shalom and Darasimi were preparing breakfast so she decided to join them.
She learnt that Pastor Tade and his wife were not full-time pastors, so they still went to work. Nathaniel was teaching in a secondary school while Darasimi worked as a sales rep in a supermarket. After eating, everyone headed out except Shalom and Ogechi.
Ogechi went to have her personal devotion. Afterwards she decided to take a look around the house. There were four rooms upstairs and two rooms downstairs. One room was for Mummy and Daddy, one room was Judah and Joshua, one room was for Shalom and Sarah, one for Nathaniel and the last one she shared with Darasimi.
There was a smaller parlor upstairs and a library too. The compound was large enough for five cars to park comfortably but they had just two. There was a garden on the left side of the building with chairs in it. She was going there to relax when she heard laughter.
Shalom was already there, talking to someone over the phone. Ogechi turned to leave but the conversation caught her interest.
"I miss you too… Home is a bit boring. How was the event you attended?"
"Oh, that's nice" She giggled again.
"I love you too…" she spun round and suddenly spotted Ogechi who wasn't able to turn away on time.
"Take care. We'll talk later, okay?" She ended the call.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked sounding a bit upset that her privacy was intruded.
"Sorry, I was just strolling… I wasn't trying to eavesdrop on you" Ogechi replied.
"Why do you look surprised? Yes, I was talking to a man. Am I not old enough to have a boyfriend? Or is it because I'm a pastor's daughter?" she rolled her eyes.
"Of course you are. I just hope he's the right person for you…"
"Of course! He's an amazing person…" Shalom replied dreamily.
"Do your parents know about him?"
"My Nigerian parents? Of course not! It's not like I'm hiding my relationship but I don't think they will understand…" She smiled.
"They seem very understanding to me… But it's your decision. Just be careful and don't let your reasoning be clouded by emotions. Always listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit"
She sighed. "I've prayed about the relationship but I'm not really sure. But we really really really love each other!" She sighed. "Do you understand? Have you ever been in a relationship?"
"I do understand. We're no longer together though"
"What happened?"
"He did this to me" She pointed at the marks on her body.
"Wow… Sorry about that…"
"It's fine… I've learnt my lessons. Shalom, your parents love you and they have brought you up in the way of the Lord. Maybe if my parents were still alive or I had parents like yours, my life might have turned out differently… Don't do anything that would disappoint them or God" Ogechi said.
"Hmmm... Thank you" Shalom nodded and went to her room. She plopped on her bed. Ogechi was right. Her parents were trying their best.
It was just the pressure of being a pastor's child that overwhelmed her sometimes. Some people expected to be perfect while some others made her feel like she was missing out on a normal life. She prayed to God for help.
From that day, Ogechi and Shalom became good friends and she always wanted to sit down beside her at the dining table.
"Ogechi, what did you study in school?" Pastor Tade asked one evening as they had dinner.
"History and international studies sir" Ogechi replied in surprise. She had been planning to tell them that she wanted to start looking for a job.
"Alright. Bring me a copy of your CV. I'll talk to some of my people is they can find job openings for you"
"Thank you daddy! Mummy, thank you too. I really appreciate everything you have been doing for me. God will continue to bless you" She replied excitedly.
To be continued...
See you in the next episode😌
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