Maybe, I Don’t Know.

Back when my oldest kids were navigating the world of middle school, physical fitness was essential to our education. Soccer matches were a regular affair, and my husband, Gary, often led hikes and runs for those old enough. Meanwhile, I played a role in organizing the annual President’s Physical Fitness test.

While some of my children excelled in this physically active environment, others faced challenges. Our family, like any other, showcased diverse builds. One of my sons, Andrew, stood tall and solid, possessing a sturdy frame. However, Gary noticed Andrew lagging, shuffling, and complaining about sore feet during a particular run.

Regrettably, my initial response was less than empathetic – “Keep up, Andrew. Toughen up, buttercup. Pick up the pace.” During the annual fitness test, frustration mounted as his performance worsened. Gary and I decided to address the issue. Finally believing his shoes and not his attitude was the problem, Gary took Andrew to the store. Starting with size 9, we soon realized he couldn’t even fit into a size 10. Ultimately, he left the store with size 11 shoes – a stark revelation that Andrew had rapidly gone from a size 8 to 11 in just a few months.

This incident taught me a valuable lesson. I thought I knew the problem, but my certainty caused a delay in providing relief for my son Andrew. Life’s challenges don’t arise as much from what we don’t know; they often stem from being so sure of what we know that isn’t so.

This is one of many examples of my assuming I knew the problem or had a solution for a problem that didn’t exist. I have found that staying open to the idea that as much as I know what is going on, there is always a part I must remain open to an awareness that there may be something I don’t know. I am getting comfortable with saying, Maybe I don’t know.