Imagination That Heals
Parenting, Purpose, and the Power of Story: A Conversation with S.D. Smith
When it comes to raising kids in today’s world, it often feels like swimming upstream. There’s so much noise, distraction, and content that we have to constantly filter through to protect our children’s hearts and minds. That’s why conversations like the one Adam and I had with author S.D. Smith are such a breath of fresh air. They remind us that it’s possible and beautiful to raise kids who love virtue, truth, and goodness.
Sam (as he insists we call him!) is the author behind the Green Ember series, a family favorite in our home. His stories are rich in adventure, but even more than that, they’re steeped in deep values that stir the hearts of kids and parents alike. Our boys were hooked the first time we cracked open one of his books—and honestly, so were we!
A Childhood in the Holler, a Life of Storytelling
Sam grew up in a literal “holler” in West Virginia. It was all mountains, woods, and playing outside. Not exactly the backdrop you might expect for a future author. He wasn’t even much of a reader as a kid. Sports and outdoor play took center stage. But even then, something sacred was happening: he was world-building. Imagining. Playing. Creating characters. Without realizing it, he was preparing for the work God had called him to—writing stories that would inspire and equip the next generation.
I love how Sam described being “haunted by the vocation of a storyteller.” That deep, inner sense that God was calling him to something, even if he didn’t have all the tools just yet. It reminded me of how I’ve felt with surfing and speaking. I didn’t grow up thinking I’d speak in front of large crowds or share my heart with the world, but when you realize your gift can bless others, you find the courage to step into it—even if it’s scary.
Stories That Shape the Soul
We talked about how powerful it is to read stories aloud as a family. There’s something special about sitting down with your kids, turning off the devices, and opening a book together. We’ve had some of our best conversations after reading intense parts of Sam’s books—especially when they touch on things like betrayal, forgiveness, courage, and loss.
Our boys have wrestled with those moments in the books. They’ve asked hard questions. They’ve felt the tension of what it means to forgive someone who hurt you or to stand up for what’s right even when it’s scary. That’s the gift of good storytelling—it gives kids a safe space to process real-life challenges through fictional heroes they admire.
As Sam put it, “The paradise of our own glory is a prison.” When we live for ourselves, our world becomes small and anxiety grows. But when we use our gifts to love and serve others, that’s where true freedom is found.
From Brokenness to Beauty
One of the most powerful parts of our chat was hearing Sam share about the year he wrote The Green Ember. It was a season of deep personal pain—struggles with physical and mental health, financial pressure, his father’s battle with cancer. And yet, that pain birthed something so beautiful. It reminds me of how God often brings beauty from ashes. Our broken seasons don’t disqualify us from being used by Him; they often prepare us to carry truth in a deeper way.
Sam’s stories don’t sugarcoat suffering. They take pain seriously. But they also shine with hope. They show kids (and adults!) that even in a world full of wolves and betrayal, there is still light. There is still goodness. There is still a King who is mending what’s been broken.
“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
—Romans 8:18 (ESV)
Two Big Takeaways
Don’t underestimate the power of a good story.
Stories shape the soul. They help our kids build empathy, understand truth, and develop courage. Reading together creates space for connection, growth, and conversations that matter.Your gifts, even the messy and imperfect ones, can bless others.
Whether it’s storytelling, surfing, speaking, or singing lullabies, when you show up and offer what you have, God can multiply it in ways you can’t imagine. You don’t need to be perfect—you just need to be willing.
Check out the whole conversation here!
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
—1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)
So here’s to doing the little things with great love. To reading stories under blankets, chasing dreams with your kids, and trusting that God is using it all. Whether you’re in a holler or on a surfboard, your story matters—and so does theirs.
