Friday, March 12, 2010

The Search Has Begun

So, here we are...getting ready to move. We are getting our house ready to put on the market. And we are looking for a place to live in Jackson, TN. You all know how daunting moving can be. But I really don't mind it too much. I think it can be kind of fun.

For some reason, as I wrote that last sentence, I found myself looking over my shoulder to see if Angela was seeing what I had just written...even though she's in Franklin and I'm in Toronto. She might take issue with the 'fun' part. :-)

Even though all three of our kids are really excited about the move, I know there will be some feelings and fears to process with them. This past Sunday, God gave us the coolest word out of the devotion called Daily Light On A Daily Path (it's a great devotional). We read it as a family. It opened up a great discussion with the kids, and they began to talk about some fears and some questions about moving that they had. We got pray together about those things, and I think it was in that little moment that the excitement they had about moving collided with a deeper peace about it.

The Word of God. So perfect.

Anyway, here is the devotion for that day. I hope it will encourage you, too.

Daily Light on the Daily Path
March 6

Morning
Watching over the way of his saints.

The Lord your God . . . went before you in the way to seek you out a place to pitch your tents, in fire by night and in the cloud by day, to show you by what way you should go.—Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions, the Lord alone guided him.—The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.—Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.—For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.—And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.—“With us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles.”

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness.

Prov. 2:8; Deut. 1:32, 33; Deut. 32:11, 12; Ps. 37:23, 24; Ps. 34:19; Ps. 1:6; Rom. 8:28; 2 Chron. 32:8; Zeph. 3:17

14 comments:

Cindy said...

The Sovereign God of the Universe going before us to seek us out a place to pitch our tents....a perfect picture of provision.

Praying for your family as you pitch your tent in Jackson.

Blessings,

Cindy

Trell Cone said...

Praying for you in Toronto and Angela and kids in Franklin.....
you can find fun in the move especially when you knwo God is preparing the way for you in Jackson...
Thanks so much for sharing this devotional--I needed it today. My husband and I are heading to Nicaragua on Tuesday. We know God goes before us as well but leaving my 5 sweet boys is soo hard!


Trelle

Kelly S. said...

That is a great devotional!

I have been praying that your children will make "fast friends", and that they will be the kind of friends that love Jesus deeply.

Thanks for the update....have fun in Toronto!!

Leah Adams said...

God already has the place picked out for the Cottrells to pitch their tent....a new school for the little tents, new friends. He's on it!!!

God bless you as you step out in faith. I pray that He brings buyers for your current home quickly.

CAROL LIVIN FOR GOD said...

I pray that the Lord will open the right home for you and I pray that God will give you peace and your kids as well and that they would make new friends right away we will be lifting up the sale of your home in Franklin and that God will provide just the right home for you all in Jackson.
Carol

Christy Semsen said...

A good word, my friend!

Dionna said...

I think moving can be kind of fun too.

Thanks for those words. I especially needed the bible verse at the end. :)

Holly said...

Looking forward to the title being, "The Search is Over." Don't make me sing.

I love to think of the last verse as this... Travis and Angela, the Lord in the midst of you is MIGHTY. He's the one who will save and He is rejoicing over you both continually with singing.

Now He can sing!

PS My word ver is "restin"

strvn2plsHM said...

Have to say, I kinda of like moving too but God has had us moving for quite some time now and I'm praying after this next move He wants us to pitch our tents for a LONG time :) He is leading us to Hungary (Europe) now. We are house hunting just like you. We will be there for 1 1/2 - 2 years. We are going willingly but there are days I wish it were to Jackson, TN. Things would be a little more familiar there and I could sing in the choir with my favorite worship leader leading that choir:) We're excited for your family and hold you up in prayer that you would know you are RIGHT where HE wants you, tents and all :) God bless you Cottrell Family. Love, The Handel Family

Paula said...

Thank you for humbly leading us in Worship in Toronto. You blessed us soo much. I downloaded your CD today. Praying for your family.

Nicola said...

Thank you so much for leading us in praise and worship at LPL with Beth Moore in Toronto (...or "Toron-o" LOL!). The Lord really worked in my heart that weekend through you and Beth.

And I have to say I loved seeing the pictures of your kids. They are adorable!! :)

Nicola

Anonymous said...

Great devotional! And I must say that although I don't attend Englewood in Jackson (I'm from Henderson, TN but I go to St. Mary's Catholic Church in Jackson), I'm so glad to know you will be there! I was able to attend your Gloria tour at Crestwood Baptist in Crestwood, KY and was truly blessed. I will be praying for you that the move goes well. Jackson is a great city!

Smelling Coffee said...

I love that book... have used it for years - except this year. And this devotion was just what my family needed to hear. We, too, are moving from Nashville, but we're heading to a small town in the MS Delta. Excited, but our children are having the same thoughts, concerns, etc. Thanks for this reminder. I'm getting that book out to start using again!

Praying for all of you~
Jennifer Walker

Deirdre said...

I keep running into Zeph. 3:17.
In the most random of places too. I think god is trying to tell me something.

and yes moving is fun. enjoy it.