Mark Katrick faith column: With freedoms come responsibilities, in roundabouts or in life

One of the many freedoms we enjoy, living in the United States of America, is to “go around in circles.” Unlike in other countries, you and I are able to travel wherever and by whatever means we choose. And one of the busiest times to travel is before, during and after the Fourth of July.

With any freedom comes the responsibility to be aware of and obey a myriad of rules and regulations for the common good. As I recall, very little attention was paid to roundabouts in the driver’s manual when I took my first written exam back in 1970.

Mark Katrick faith column: Much like on summer mission trips, look to God for hope on those rainy days

Because of the growing number of these circular intersections, there’s now probably an entire chapter on how to safely enter and exit them. My first encounter with a roundabout was in the village of Lagrange. In the center is “a tribute to the union solders of the Civil War. The statue of General Sherman, that had stood for 120 years, was struck and taken down by a semi-truck on June 28,2022.”

Needless to say, Newark has become its own version of Roundabout City, especially in our revitalized downtown area. And it really keeps the traffic flowing in places that were previously congested like the intersections of County Club Drive and King Road with Sharon Valley Road.

It was in New England (Vermont), where roundabouts abound, that I got my education. There’s one place where there are four of these in a row. I leave my direction-finder on just to hear it excitedly say, “Turn left, turn right, turn around!” As my oldest son advises, “It’s really simple, Dad. Just choose a lane, yield to traffic and keep going.”

Mark Katrick faith column: We comparison shop for gas, but what about for a church?

Just as important as obeying the laws are the rules of common sense and human decency. I’ve had more horns blared at me by people going too fast in traffic circles than anywhere else. You never know the reasons why drivers are feeling so stressed out.

Don’t let it get to you. Be aware, take deep breaths, and listen for an inner direction finder, the “gentle whisper” of God. 1 Kings: 19:12.

Save the Fireworks for later. And whenever you find yourselves going in circles, slow down and offer up this breath prayer. Breathe in oohs, and breathe out ahhs.

Mark Katrick is a pastor and spiritual guide.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Mark Katrick faith column: With freedoms come responsibilities