Today we’re getting to know Carol Stratton, author of Changing Zip Codes: Finding Community Wherever You’re Transplanted.  Carol has moved twenty-two times and has a passion for newcomers, “as I’ve been one many times.” She says, “I started out in the SF Bay Area and now live in North Carolina.”

Carol has kindly offered Roads Diverged readers a sweet slice of her book via the following devotional excerpt, All Dressed With Somewhere to Go.  Her bio and contact info. follow. Enjoy!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not

be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and

petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:4-6 NIV

All Dressed With Somewhere to Go

Out in front of his Bible school, David Weaver perched himself on top of a suitcase that held most of his worldly possessions. Even though he was sure he wanted to be a missionary, he didn’t have next semester’s tuition. Consequently, he found himself moving out of the dorm room and onto the school’s front lawn.

If it had been me, I would have been kicking the side of my suitcase, calling home to cry on my mother’s shoulder, or writing a very self-righteous letter to the president of the school.

Not David. A man of strong faith, he sported a large smile and a positive attitude. He had tried every other means to raise funds and nothing had worked. So he just sat outside with a grin, knowing God would come through with a miracle.

 Maybe you need a housing miracle. It might be selling a home and finding temporary shelter before you can move on. It might be an affordable mortgage. But whatever it is, know that God is paying attention. Even though heaven seems mute, He has not forgotten your need. But our part is spelled out clearly in Philippians: we are to rejoice, rejoice again, and rejoice always. After we do that we are to present our requests to God in a thankful manner. So let’s review. Rejoice, rejoice again, and pray with thanksgiving—end of discussion.

But when we are talking about a major relocation in our lives, it’s a very difficult thing to do. That’s when we bring God our “sacrifice of praise.” It’s a sacrifice because we have to give up our normal way of handling things—whining, worrying, and stressing. But to use David as an example, getting our attitude right opens the door for God to work. Want to hear the rest of the story?

As David perched outside the administration building, a lady from the office ran out to tell him they’d found him a place to stay. Two bachelors had a room in their house and David could room there for free. In addition, the house was right behind the school, within walking distance.

As he hauled his gear into his new home, the phone rang. One of the owners picked it up and with a puzzled look, motioned to his new roommate, “It’s for you.” Someone from the school’s office had called to tell him there was a job available and he’d better get over there, pronto. David explained how he was in a grubby T-shirt and jeans, but the caller insisted he needed to get there immediately. He rushed over to the employment office. Standing in line with other applicants, he felt foolish in his grungy work clothes among the suits and ties of the other young men. Suddenly he saw one of the interviewers pointing at him. “Hey you, come up here right now.”  Shocked, he walked to the front of the line. “I need someone in construction and see you are dressed for work. Can you start right away?David shook his head in amazement. In one day he’d gone from being homeless to landing a good roof over his head and a job. What an awesome God.

Today as we feel overwhelmed with a move, let’s remember God does pay attention. Our part is to keep a faithful attitude. You might try pulling out a suitcase and putting it by the front door as a reminder that God does provide.

Taken from the book: Changing Zip Codes: Finding Community Wherever You’re Transplanted

Published by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas

Available at Amazon.com http://tinyurl.com/ox3nxrj

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Carol G. Stratton has been a freelance writer and speaker for over a decade in publications including  InTouch magazine, CBN.com, Kyria, Forsyth Women Magazine and the Grand Rapids Press as well as two anthologies, Writing so Heaven Will be Different (Wine Press) and Extraordinary Answers to Prayers (Guideposts).

She speaks to MOPS and other women’s groups about life transitions and personality temperaments. She is currently under contract for a women’s inspirational novel called Lake Surrender.

Contact Carol at: carolgstratton@gmail.com or through her website: ChangingZipCodes.

You can also find Carol on Facebook at Changing Zip Codes, or on Twitter at @CarolGStratton.

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