I found a journal entry from a couple months ago, and it re-challenged me today to draw near to Jesus throughout my day. I thought I’d share:
Today was spent with my two sweet baby boys. Although Jack is almost 4, he is still my baby in so many ways. He lights up when he gets to try new things, be a helper, and spend one-on-one time with mommy or daddy. Today that got to be me.

I watched him spoon sweet potato into Henry’s mouth (if you can call it that when 90% of the food ends up all over Henry’s face). He was SO proud, and he grinned from ear to ear at having that “big brother” job. He got some special treats as part of our fun day, and even got to watch a new special movie (UP), but…. I am amazed at what he really wanted the most today–to be near to me. No, he may not say that’s what he wanted most, or what he would choose over a special piece of candy, but I could see it in every activity. He wanted to be with his mommy.
“Let’s sit together and have our treat, mommy.”
“What are you doing in the kitchen, mommy?”
“Wanna hold baby with me, mommy?”

After lunch I sent him to his room to read for a little while, and he came out with a sweet look and said, “I want you to come sit in my room while I read. Just sit!”
I tried to explain that I just needed to get a few things done while baby was sleeping, but he didn’t hear a word I said, “just sit. Just sit in my room with me.”
I didn’t get it. I told him one more time that I loved him but he needed to go read books and I was going to finish a few things. He walked away. I felt a tinge of guilt. Then. There he came, pushing his entire box of books down the hallway… Into the kitchen.
“I will bring all my books into here with you, mommy.”
Wow. Just be near to me. Something about the presence of “mommy” fills a spot in my little boy’s heart. It makes everything right. Talk about making my heart overflow!

As we sat on the kitchen floor reading about how dinasaurs clean up their rooms, and about giving a mouse a cookie, I asked myself how often I want to be in the presence of my Heavenly Father. No matter what. Whatever I’m doing… to long to do it in his presence.
I ask myself the question: can I do my daily tasks, parent my kids, do the dishes, fold the laundry, read with my son all in the presence of Jesus? It may seem impossible, but I am grateful that Jesus has made a way for me to do that. He is willing to sit with me. Today that will be my goal. To be present with my kids and present to Gods presence.

Lord, be near to me.