One of my catalysts for writing more often is the desire to “create”. In a book, I recently read (Redeeming Your Time) the author challenges Christ-followers to mirror their creator by creating. My family read a children’s book/poem titled “The Creator in You” by Jordan Raynor and that desire to create was fed even more. Essentially, we are like our Creator when we work and create.

Kids are natural creators. It isn’t until we grow older that we find ourselves having lost our imaginative/creative selves. Maybe “lost” is too strong a word but it is definitely a muscle that has atrophied for most. Anyways, my kids are creators in different ways. Camille, our oldest, makes jewelry, content for her YouTube channel (click HERE to subscribe 😉 ), and community. Camille creates community really well. Colette, our youngest, creates laughs. If she is in your presence hilarity ensues. Rhett, our son, creates adventures in the woods, the most absurd “what-ifs” humanly possible, and music. Rhett will sit at our piano and figure out songs he has heard but even more amazing (hey, I think anything he does is amazing) is that he has begun to write his own music. He called me into the office the other day and wanted me to hear a piece he wrote for a scary movie. The piece was fantastic and I could not have been prouder.

I have a friend. I have a few friends, I think, but for this moment I have one specific friend. I won’t use his actual name for his own privacy purposes but we will call him Travis. Travis creates. Through the years he has created many memories for me whether through deep conversations we have held about things that matter most, video games, or allowing me to witness his writing of music. I knew that Travis and a close group of others would appreciate Rhett’s original song. I was not disappointed.

Travis contacted me a week or two after sharing Rhett’s song with him and shared with me something that only Travis would create. Travis took Rhett’s piece and created something even more spectacular. Travis turned Rhett’s piece into a song that Rhett, myself, Charity, and our daughters will never forget. A song. Watching Rhett hear his piece sound like an actual song was a look I hope I always remember but also one I hope to see again. He was in awe and yet, I could see his wheels spinning. This opened a whole new world for him. A world of music, layers, and ultimately creating.

That is the connection perhaps of creating and community. When we are a part of a community and we create, something happens that only strengthens that community. Creating requires vulnerability and an encouraging community. Travis provided that for my son. This dad is thankful and challenged to create a community for others as well.

PS. Enjoy the song. (below are the lyrics)

Dear Rhett,
I know we haven’t met, but don’t fret 
Your pop used to set, hike
While I ran the outlet, touchdown, spike
And we’d stay up late at night teaching noobs what true skill looks like

But that’s not the reason I chose to write,
You and I might just fight!

[More intense]
I heard your song on the piano and I wanted you to know I dug your set
But that was like a week ago and I still can’t seem to forget

I still hear the tune
Midnight turns to noon
May into June

How long will this curse last
This ghast needs to leave here soon

My body wants to stop this beat
From plaguing on repeat
But I’m not immune

You’ve cursed me Rhett!
So tell me what am I supposed to do?!?