I have always felt hardwired to create. I’ve always loved painting, drawing and making art. I guess that is why I chose to pursue a degree in graphic design. When I became a mom and chose to stay home with my babies, I imagined I’d leave all of my creative capacities on a shelf somewhere only to come back to them one day when I didn’t have kids to tend to. But it’s only been recently that I have realized how much creating we actually do as moms.

I’m creating when I cook dinner.

When I arrange a bouquet of fresh cut flowers in a vase to brighten up the kitchen.

When I thrift a vintage painting and hang it up on the bathroom wall.

When I reorganize my kitchen cabinets and drawers.

When I sort through my son’s toys and arrange them on his shelf with his most favorite ones on the bottom, right within reach.

When I make the bed and toss on all the throw pillows just right.

When I rearrange my living area for the 50th time to make the room more functional.

When I bake my favorite mocha muffins with my son’s help and input on how much chocolate chips we should add.

When I add tasks to my morning habits like switching over the clean laundry or unloading the dishwasher.

When I find inventive ways to hang the laundry to dry.

When I refill the snack basket and slide it back into its little place in the cupboard.

When I unload the weekly grocery order and step back in contentment with all the dairy, produce, and meat organized perfectly in the fridge.

When I thrift yet another wicker basket to toss toys or jackets or shoes or socks into.

When I keep our blankets washed and neatly folded on the living room shelf.

When I fill my planner with all my thoughts and ideas on how to improve the homemaking systems I already have in place.

When I make my husband and I our morning tea with just the right amount of honey.

When I place Bible verses and worship song lyrics throughout the house in an attempt to keep Jesus at the center of our lives.

I may not have all the time in the world, (or even 20 minutes some days) to paint on a canvas, design in Procreate, or sketch in a sketchbook. But God blesses me with numerous opportunities every day to create within my role as a mother. I hope this encourages another mama out there who needs a reminder that her giftings are not always separate from her role as a mom. Sometimes it just takes a little perspective shift to see all the ways we get to use our gifts and talents to serve our families.