How My Children’s Scooter Riding is Teaching Me to Trust Myself

BY KIMBERLY KNOWLE-ZELLER

Kimberly Knowle-Zeller is a writer, pastor, wife, and mother of two. She lives with her family in Cole Camp, Missouri. When she’s not at the park with her children, walking around town, or tending to the garden, you can find her with a pen and paper. She encourages other creative mamas as the Community manager in Exhale Creativity, a community created by the writing team of Coffee + Crumbs. She believes in the power of words, unearthing the extraordinary in the ordinary, and encouraging others to follow their passions. You can read more at her website, follow her work on Facebook, or Instagram, or sign up for her monthly newsletter.

At some point in my life, I went from being someone who acted with confidence to someone who, more often than not, doubted my abilities.  

That was until scooters began to take over my hallway. 

Last November, my six-year-old daughter, Charlotte, received a scooter for her birthday. Then at Christmas, my three-year-old Isaac got his own. With ice and cold outside, the kids took to our long hallway to practice their skills. Up and down they went, occasionally running into the walls or each other. With each ride, they became more and more graceful. And every time they rode, smiles filled their faces. 

Finally, with some warmer weather and dry sidewalks, we ventured outside. “Zoom, zoom,” they cheered. “Come on, Mommy, let’s go!” Charlotte yelled to me as she approached the road wanting to cross and ride around town. For both of them, as soon as they hit the sidewalk with their scooters, they took off. 

The weeks of practicing inside our house proved fruitful. They were ready to go. 

I marveled at how far they came from the first slow rides and multiple falls. The practice in our home, up and down our hallway, was enough to build their confidence.

I wondered, could I build the same confidence as them in activities in my life? Could I trust that what I bring to others is valuable? Could I start something new without the worry of how it would turn out? Could I take a chance on a new friendship? Could I just make the phone call I’d been avoiding? 

Most days we take a ride around our town. Both kids are in front of me barreling down the sidewalk while I follow behind. I marvel at their ease and skill. I give thanks for their confidence. 

Inevitably, though, at some point, Isaac gets tired. “I can’t ride my scooter anymore,” he tells me one day with his head bent down and his arms drooping by his side. Charlotte keeps whizzing ahead so I take Isaac’s scooter and walk with him the rest of the way home. Together, we arrive home. The next day they go on a ride again. 

Watching my kids ride is teaching me to trust myself. If they can keep getting back on their scooters after they fall, can I take a lesson from them and continue to get back up when life gets hard? 

I’m taking this lesson from my kids. Each time I call a friend, I’m building a foundation of friendship. Each time I invite someone into my home, I’m creating a place of welcome for others. Each time I open my Bible, I’m deepening my relationship with God. Each time I pick up the pen to write, I’m cultivating a creative habit. Each time I offer forgiveness to myself or my children, I’m building a foundation of grace. 

I feel this way about my prayer life, too. I am not by any means a consistent pray-er with a certain time or place to talk to God. Some days my prayers come out in my journal, or when I read a devotional, or when I walk marveling at God’s creation or reading a Bible story at dinner with the kids. Some days it’s driving in the car and praying for those traveling or those without shelter. Most nights it’s prayers with the kids and blessing one another. But I believe that each small act makes a difference and with every prayer, I’m trusting that what I offer is enough.
Is there something in your life that is taking time, practice, and a little bit of patience on your end? Maybe you’re in a new job or searching for one, maybe you’d like to get closer to God, or maybe there’s a relationship that needs attention. Whatever it is, trust that the slow, small acts are valuable. 

Remember that each time you pick up the phone, go for a walk, or open your Bible, or offer a prayer, you’re riding forward in faith. 

Take your time. Learn the contours of your soul and spirit. Pay attention to what trips you up and where you need more practice. 

Take a lesson from my kids and get outside. Invite others to see what you’re working on and don’t be afraid to invite them into the beginning first steps or the messy middle. We learn by doing and showing up to the people and places in front of us. It doesn’t have to be perfect. 

Maybe you’ll get your own scooter to build confidence, or maybe your kids have one, either way, where can you take a small step and trust yourself?