Raising my two sons, I found joy in weaving creativity into our everyday routines. Whether we played with Play-doh, made Christmas ornaments, danced to music, or explored nature, these simple activities became meaningful ways to connect, grow and experience the joy God gives through creativity.

When my sons were in elementary school, I frequently volunteered as a room mom, assisting their teachers with organizing class parties and activities, or photographing special events. While many moms gladly offered to help in some capacity, others would politely decline, saying, “Oh, I’m not creative,” or “Arts and crafts really aren’t my thing.”

But creativity isn’t just crafts.

So how can we live a creative life with purpose?

Redefining Creativity

There is a common misconception that creativity is exclusive to artists, writers, or crafts. But that is far from the truth! The definition of creativity can be shown in countless forms including problem solving, planning, organizing, decorating, cooking, teaching and even parenting (or grandparenting!)

While dictionaries offer broad explanations of creativity, the truth is: creativity begins with God. He is our original Creator, and because we are made in His image, each of us reflects that creativity in our own unique way.

Creativity is simply thinking and expressing ourselves in unique ways. It’s being imaginative, expressive, resourceful, and enterprising. It often happens in the ordinary moments—and it doesn’t always require craft supplies.

Creative by God’s Design

Does everyone have creativity? Yes! We are all born with creativity because we are made in the image of our Creator God. His creativity is seen in every detail of nature, in the seasons, and most of all—in us.

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
    and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
    Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.“
—Psalm 139:13-14 (NLT)

Because we are God’s workmanship, we’ve each been given gifts—creative gifts— designed specifically for us. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us:

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” (NLT)

God has a purpose for our creativity, and He equips us to use it in ways that glorify Him and for serving others.

In the book of Exodus, God gave Moses detailed plans to build a tabernacle, a sacred place for the Hebrews to worship. The assignment required not just obedience, but a host of skilled tradespeople and craftsmen who could follow God’s precise directions.

“The Lord has given them special skills as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet thread on fine linen cloth, and weavers. They excel as craftsmen and as designers.”
—Exodus 35:35 (NLT)

God didn’t leave them to figure it out on their own. He provided both the instructions and the creative ability to fulfill the work.

And He does the same for us.

Creativity in Everyday Life

When I left the corporate marketing world to become a stay-at-home mom, I believed I had stepped away from my “creative” season. But God showed me otherwise!

Changing careers, becoming an empty nester or entering retirement may make one wonder if creativity still matters. But it does—because it never left.

Here are some ways of expressing creativity in everyday life:

• Trying a new recipe
• Finding ways to stretch the budget with coupon apps
• Planning a birthday or dinner party
• Organizing the pantry
• Arranging colorful flowers for the yard

Each of these examples can ignite your everyday creativity and will reflect thoughtfulness, imagination, and care. It’s creativity in motion, even if we don’t always recognize it as such.

How to Live a Creative Life with Purpose

Embracing time to be creative can keep us in a positive mindset, make us happier, lessen stress as well as connect us to the One who created us.

As midlife women, we recognize that we are in a new chapter of life. However, this time is full of opportunities to rediscover how God can continue to use our gifts—and maybe in a completely different and exciting way.

Let’s remember:
You were created to create.
Your everyday creativity is not insignificant—it is a gift from God.
And when you use it for His glory and to bless others, you are walking in the good things He has prepared for you.

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Journaling Prompt:
Think back on the past week: What is one way you used your creativity—whether in problem-solving, planning, helping someone, or beautifying your space? How might that reflect God’s creative work through you?

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Disclosure: Scriptures marked NLT are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION (NLT): Scriptures taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW LIVING TRANSLATION, Copyright©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Photo courtesy of Alyson McPhee on Unsplash

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