This morning I woke up and surveyed my bedroom for any personal touches that I might want to take with me to my temporary classroom. I say temporary because I have been blessed with the unique opportunity to get to serve as an interim math teacher for the first few weeks of school before I return to college to begin my student teaching.

I wanted to be reminded of who I am every day, so I grabbed some items that were important to me: some pictures, framed quotes, journals, coasters my Nana made, jar of pens, and then finally I reached for my Bible, one of the real pretty, trendy journaling Bibles, and as I stuck my arm out to retrieve it, a sick feeling shot through my body..

".. I'm not sure if you can do that. Like I don't know if that's allowed."

My heart dropped to my stomach as the realization swept over me. "I don't think as a teacher that I'm allowed to bring my Bible to school."

It's a thought that has never before crossed my mind. Finally after a few moments of internal deliberation, I reached for my devotional, dropped it i my bag, and hurried out the door. But that moment refused to leave my mind. The fact that I had to question whether or not my Bible was welcome in my classroom was sickening.

Now before you get the wrong idea, I don't want my Bible there so that I can open it up and preach to my students. That isn't why I have been hired. I want my Bible there because it's a part of who I am; actually it's the most of who I am.

It is the place I turn when everything is going horribly wrong, and I feel hopeless and even worthless. It is a book that is filled with complete truth, more stable and sure and tested and proven than any formula I could ever teach. It is where I find renewal, and believe me if you have ever stepped into a classroom, you know that teachers need renewing almost hourly.

I know that there is a Bible app on my phone, and I am fully aware that I can pull scripture on my desktop. I get all of that, but the fact that in America (a country that was founded on the pursuit of religious freedom teachers question whether or not just having the Word on their on their desks is acceptable is deeply saddening. I mean Jesus is almost more welcome in a bar these days than in a schoolhouse. But Jesus has never been welcome where He is needed most just look at His ministry.

As I arranged my belongings on my desk, I came to the realization that yeah maybe my Bible doesn't have a place on my desk, but as long as I am teaching, Jesus is always welcome in my classroom. And He will be there because He is always with me. He's there when I smile and welcome the students in. He's there when I extend grace after a missed assignment. He's there when a student volunteers to help the struggling student next to them grasp the concept. He's there in the "a-ha" moment. He is always there.

So I may have to leave my Bible at home, but Jesus has made his home in my heart and in my classroom, and He is always welcome.