Imagination, Common Sense, and Creativity

One of the greatest things that has quietly grown in me since becoming a dad is imagination—along with what I’d call common-sense creativity. I wasn’t exactly known for either when I was younger. I wasn’t much of a bookworm. I was the kid who’d rather be out riding my bike, playing with my Tonka trucks, or—on our farmhouse property—heading down to the river to swim or build a dam. If there was a horse saddled and ready, even better.

But fatherhood has shaped something new in me.

A simple moment comes to mind: Brooklyn wanted to touch the computer, and Cata gently asked her not to. Brooklyn wasn’t thrilled. I had a quick idea. The girls have a set of blocks that can be arranged to show different 3D images depending on the side. So I suggested, “Let’s pretend this is your computer,” and we built one together with the blocks. Brooklyn was surprisingly okay with that. We played for a while, and just like that, the problem turned into play.

Imagination.

I may not have had a ton of it as a child, but I’ve learned that creativity isn’t only about art—it’s also about navigating everyday challenges with a spark of play and a shift in perspective. In the last fifteen years of parenting, I’ve also read more picture books than I ever did in my entire life before that. And picture books—whether through their wild stories or breathtaking illustrations—have become a daily dose of inspiration. There’s so much creative beauty tucked into those pages, and it has helped me grow as a dad, a storyteller, and a problem solver.

“Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love…”
—Ephesians 5:1–2

God created this world with imagination and wonder. As parents, we get to reflect that creative spark every time we choose play over power, presence over pressure.

You don’t have to be a professional artist or a natural-born storyteller to be creative. Sometimes, it’s simply about seeing the moment differently—building a computer out of blocks instead of saying “no” again. That’s imagination in action. That’s love, walking.

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank You for the gift of imagination—a glimpse of Your own creativity placed in our hearts. Help us, especially in our parenting, to respond with gentleness, curiosity, and wisdom. Teach us to turn tension into tenderness and rules into rhythms of joy. Let our homes reflect Your love and grace in the way we think, speak, and play. Amen.