I feel like I’ve been hit by a car. Not a big car. A small car, perhaps a Volkswagen Beetle. Not going real fast, just fast enough to throw my body over the hood and onto the gritty pavement below. This is what it’s like waking up in the mornings after sleeping in my queen size bed with my wife and two year old.

If you have a wife and kids, you know what I mean. You know what it means to fight for the tiniest sliver of blanket. You know what it means to be kicked in the head by little feet. And you know how to contort your body into the shape of an L in order to make the most of the limited space you have available.

If my five year old has been watching “Goosebumps” on Netflix before she goes to bed, she may decide to join us in the middle of the night as well. Now, the VW Beetle becomes a VW Minibus. Instead of being thrown over the hood, you’re just run over and chances of survival are slim.

This is my reality. A reality I cherish. For I know it won’t last long.

I wonder if Jesus doesn’t have similar feelings about us. I love the story, found in the Gospel of Mark, of parents bringing their children to Jesus. The disciples are trying to shoo the parents and children away, but Jesus will have none of that.

Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them. Mark 10:16

I wonder if Jesus thinks I better take advantage of this opportunity, because they may not always want to spend time with me. There may come a time when they feel like they don’t need me anymore. Their life may become so busy that I’m just an afterthought.

Spending time with Christ usually isn’t an issue when we’re first introduced to Him. We want to know more about our Savior, so we’re reading the Bible, spending time in prayer, discussing Jesus with other believers.

But for many of us, over time, that desire starts to fade. Now, we’re only reading our Bible in preparation for Sunday’s message. We only spend time in prayer when we want something from God. We’re like that college kid who comes home on the weekend just so his mom can wash his clothes and his dad can give him gas money. Before we know it, the bond we once had with Jesus is gone.

So, how can we keep this from happening? Jesus provides the answer.

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. John 15:9

The key to a healthy relationship with Jesus is to remain in His love. Jesus isn’t going anywhere. Jesus will always be there. But it’s up to us to cultivate that relationship. It’s up to us to set aside time to spend with Jesus every day.

And Jesus makes us this promise. If we will remain in Him, our lives will be fruitful. Our lives will produce a great harvest. Our lives will impact those around us.

So, what are some practical things you’re doing to cultivate your relationship with Jesus? Let us know in the comments below.