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<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
I work in a public school.<\/b><\/p>\n
A high school.<\/p>\n
A pretty big one.<\/p>\n
In the middle of a pretty big city.<\/p>\n
Just a substitute teacher.<\/p>\n
Oh, and a cheer coach.<\/p>\n
I see it all.<\/p>\n
The days can be long.<\/p>\n
Some classes are tough.<\/p>\n
But I see beauty ever day.<\/p>\n
I see kids help other kids.<\/p>\n
And teachers who give their all.<\/p>\n
I watch kids grow up into some fine young adults.<\/p>\n
Students who were my worst nightmare as freshmen?<\/p>\n
Becoming some of my favorites by the time they graduate.<\/p>\n
Most importantly, though?<\/p>\n
I see God in the school.<\/p>\n
When I hear people say \u201cPut God back in the school\u201d?<\/p>\n
I just want to shout back to them\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cGod IS in this school!\u201d<\/p>\n
God has not, and I repeat, not left the building.<\/p>\n
For one thing, we say the pledge of allegiance every day.<\/p>\n
I know, right?<\/p>\n
Can you imagine?<\/p>\n
A public school saying \u201cOne nation under God\u201d?<\/p>\n
Yep.<\/p>\n
Every.Single.Morning.<\/p>\n
Then there is a time of silence.<\/p>\n
And I close my eyes and say \u201cGod, be near today\u201d.<\/p>\n
I also say \u201cHelp me be your hands and your feet to these kids\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cHelp me let them know they are loved.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yep.<\/p>\n
Every.Single.Day.<\/p>\n
And I know I am not the only teacher who prays this way.<\/p>\n
So many of us gather our strength in the morning by bowing our heads.<\/p>\n
So many students do too.<\/p>\n
Do you know what that means?<\/p>\n
Yep.<\/p>\n
It just simply means God is in our school.<\/p>\n
Where two or more are gathered\u2026<\/p>\n
Oh, I wish you could see how many of us our gathered.<\/p>\n
How many young and old people are learning and growing and living life together.<\/p>\n
In one building.<\/p>\n
We don\u2019t need the 10 commandments hanging in our hallways.<\/p>\n
Nor do we need a cross,<\/p>\n
Or a statue of some kind.<\/p>\n
We have the real deal.<\/p>\n
Living, breathing temples of God.<\/p>\n
People of all shapes and sizes,<\/p>\n
Made in the image of God.<\/p>\n
Teachers reminding students of who they are.<\/p>\n
Students helping teachers see the World through their eyes.<\/p>\n
All of us, working together.<\/p>\n
I cannot tell you how many times I get to look into the eyes of my students and tell them I understand.<\/p>\n
I know depression and anxiety.<\/p>\n
I take medicine for it too.<\/p>\n
Maybe I send them down to see a counselor.<\/p>\n
Maybe I just take a couple of deep breaths with them.<\/p>\n
But I do speak truth to them.<\/p>\n
I absolutely do tell them they are loved.<\/p>\n
They are not alone.<\/p>\n
For real, I pray all day long.<\/p>\n
Yep.<\/p>\n
I know one thing for certain\u2026<\/p>\n
God is in our school.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I work in a public school. A high school. A pretty big one. In the middle of a pretty big city. Just a substitute teacher. Oh, and a cheer coach. I see it all. The days can be long. Some classes are tough. But I see beauty ever day. I see kids help other kids. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4582,"featured_media":556,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,38],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-550","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-faith","category-god"],"yoast_head":"\n