I made this because I wanted to …

“Mommy, I made this because I wanted to.” Isaac holds up his folded and taped airplane. His eyes focus on the creation before him in seriousness and pride. At the table we’re surrounded by scraps of paper and drawings. Neither kid hesitates to create – notes to their friends, drawings of the family, pictures of ice cream cones – any and all kinds of designs and drawings.

“I made this because I wanted to.”

With his words, I wonder when I last created simply because. When did my heart take joy and pride in putting pen to paper with no end goal? When did I bring forth beauty just because? Two often I think about the algorithms, the timing, the dream publication, or saying just the right words to connect with a reader. Too often I think too much about my creativity, rather than the act of creating.
“I made this because I wanted to.”
God delights in our creativity. God first created the world and created each of us. We are creative beings. Do you create because you want to? Call yourself an artist and see what emerges when you play with pen and paper, crayons, glitter, crafting a meal, or creating a hand-knit piece of clothing.
May the days ahead be full of creating and holding our work and words to others as we proudly say: “I made this because I wanted to.”
Kimberly Knowle-Zeller is an ordained ELCA pastor, mother of two, and spouse of an ELCA pastor. She lives with her family in Cole Camp, MO. You can read more at her website, follow her work on Facebook, or sign up for her monthly newsletter.
Follow us on social media
Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Vimeo

Sign up for the newsletter

The Episcopal Café seeks to be an independent voice, reporting and reflecting on the Episcopal Church and the Anglican tradition.  The Café is not a platform of advocacy, but it does aim to tell the story of the church from the perspective of Progressive Christianity.  Our collective sympathy, as the Café, lies with the project of widening the circle of inclusion within the church and empowering all the baptized for the role to which they have been called as followers of Christ.

The opinions expressed at the Café are those of individual contributors, and, unless otherwise noted, should not be interpreted as official statements of a parish, diocese or other organization. The art and articles that appear here remain the property of their creators.

All Content  © 2017 Episcopal Café