When visiting England, one of the first things to learn is where to sit in a car. The front passenger seat is not on the right but on the left. When turning left, the turn occurs immediately; the street is not crossed first before the actual turn is made. This left-right difference is easy to say but quite another in the matter of driving, particularly on a roundabout.

But first, understand that Rick had been a lead salesman for Heinz and UPS. He was required to drive over hill and dale (literally), through town and country, using all kinds of roads but especially the A’s (maintained by the shires, equivalent to our states) and the M’s (maintained by the national government like our interstate system). As he says frequently, “I know these roads like the back of my hand.”

Kat, on the other hand, has only been driving the roads of Yorkshire and Lancashire for 22 years. She likes to use the satellite navigation offered by her phone and by the car. Often, both of them are in operation, but only one of them is programmed to speak. She likes the confirmation provided by the two satnav systems and Rick’s years of experience. If only they could agree.

In the United Kingdom, roundabouts occur at every intersection of A and M thoroughfares. Large ones may have three lanes of traffic circling it. In that case, traffic lights control the confusion–thankfully.

Often, as we three travel from point A to point B, a conversation like this takes place.

Phone Satnav: At the roundabout, stay right. Then, go left at the third exit to Doncaster, A-638.

Kat: No, it’s supposed to be the second exit. Isn’t it, Rick?

At this point, we are entering the roundabout. Kat must get into a left lane, and Rick has been focused on a red kite (bird) above us.

Rick: What? Well, follow the sign. There! You just passed it!

Kat: Well, I thought that was right, but the satnav said to take the third exit.

Rick: Which satnav are you following?

Kat: My phone.

Rick: Why not use the car’s? I don’t trust that phone–not since it took us right into the heart of Leeds at rush hour!

Kat: Yeah–yeah. I just have to go all the way around. Oh, but that big truck won’t let me over!

Rick: Just follow the signs. You rely on satnavs too much.

Sitting in the back seat, I am convinced again that I could never drive in England. Driving on the right side of the car but on the left side of the road on a roundabout, where the sign says one thing but the satnav another? That would push–beyond sanity–my dyslectic confusion between left and right!

Life can feel like going round and round on a roundabout with different directions coming from different sources. Maddening.

Some folk experience this kind of stress more frequently than others might. It is only human to feel such anxiety–regardless how often. An ages old coping technique can be immediate and effective. Take deep breaths. Slowly in. Slowly out. Recall, that in such manner, Creator God blew the breath of life into a carefully formed lump of clay. So, humanity came into being.

While breathing deeply, recite the words of Psalm 46:10: Be still , and know that I am God.

This prayer from a Holman KJV Bible of 80 years ago bless me. May they bless you, too.

Lord, be . . .

within me, to strengthen me;

above me, to protect me;

beneath me, to uphold me;

before me, to direct me;

behind me, to keep me from straying;

round about me, to defend me;

Blessed be You, our Father, forever and ever. Amen