Diaper Bag? Check!

Yesterday, while preparing for a little road trip, our two oldest boys were running around the house with little "lists" (scribbles on a couple of old note pads) and pens in hand, making sure we had everything covered; it sounded a little like this:
"Shoes? (a scurry to find the Backyardigan shoes) Check!"
"Sweaters? Check!"
"Baby Andrew? (a pat on the head to little brother sitting in the infant seat) Check!"
"Diaper Bag? Check!"
This continued all the way out the door and to the car...
"Keys? Check!"
"Grass? (they got a little distracted by the garden) Check!"

Maybe they get it from me.  I make my own list every morning and the rest of my day is pretty well spent trying to draw lines through items on my list.

tidy kitchen
laundry
read Bible
lunch prep
dinner prep
spend quality time with boys
clean bathroom upstairs
clean bathroom downstairs
check email
clean boys closet
homework
etc., etc.,

I think sometimes I put Jesus on the list. 
Pray? Check!
Acknowledge His presence? Check!

And then I go on about my day, satisfied that I completed the task...

But listen to what John 15:5 says;

"I am the vine, you are the branches.
If a man remains in Me and I in him,
He will bear much fruit.
Apart from me, you can do nothing."

I'm trying to learn how to remain in Jesus. 
Am I remaining in Him when I answer the constant "Mooooom? Maaaama?"
Am I remaining in Him when I fold yet one more basket of laundry?
Am I remaining in Him when I clean up another potty accident?
Am I remaining in Him when I splatter chocolate batter all over my kitchen?

Brother Lawrence, a lay brother in a Carmelite monastery in Paris in the 1600's said;

“The time of business...does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clutter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess GOD in as great tranquillity as if I were upon my knees at the Blessed Sacrament.” 

Remaining in Jesus is for every part of my life.  I can't just "check" Him off and then leave Him there.  If I expect to bear any eternal fruit, I must remain in Him...make a practice of acknowledging His presence in all moments.

I pray you find Him close today...