Ann Farabee

By Ann Farabee

I am fairly certain I laughed when I first heard that term — struggle bus.

I totally and completely understood it immediately.

Being on the struggle bus means having a hard time facing difficulties, obstacles or challenges. As far as the bus part of the phrase, it means the person is stuck in a bad situation they cannot quickly escape due to traveling along a rough road full of problems.

People often use the term struggle bus because it humorously makes light of a challenging circumstance by referring to it as a bus filled with struggles that we cannot exit from until we reach our destination.

Alternative ways to express being on the struggle bus are: in a rut, in a jam, in a bind, in a pickle or in hot water. These phrases are not only pessimistic, but being in a pickle sounds scary.

When we find ourselves on the struggle bus, we need to either look for the next exit or push open the emergency exit door. I was just kidding about that one. Taking a leap out the emergency exit door of the bus in a non-emergency will not get anyone out of the struggle bus.

When I went on field trips on the activity bus with my sixth-grade students, there was nothing as tempting for some of them as desiring to pull the emergency exit door open. They would gather around it, look at it, talk about it, and sometimes someone would touch it. Since I had eyes in the back of my head, I would say, “Stop!” just in time.

What do we do when we are on the struggle bus — and need to get off?

*Find the first stop and exit. Getting off may be a little hard because those around you may not agree that you should get off there, even though you know in your heart that you need to exit.

An important aspect of being on the struggle bus is that the bus also has other strugglers on it. We can use that to our advantage. Talking to and listening to others is one of our greatest assets in life. When we do that, our problems can immediately feel minimized because we are transferring our troubles to a different location in our thoughts, as we help someone else with their troubles. The long-term goal is not to remain on the struggle bus, but while we are there, our healing can come as we minister to others who are also struggling.

When visiting France a few years ago, my husband and I were on a tour bus that was stopping frequently for us to see historical sites. We would get off the bus, walk to the site, enjoy it for a few minutes, get a photo, and head back to the bus. But — there were 50 of us and only 30 seats.

We were packed on the bus like a can of sardines and exited as if the can had been turned over and its contents spewed out. We had to fight to get off the bus and fight to get back on the bus. After several stops, most people chose to just stay seated. It apparently was not worth it to them to struggle to see the sites and make the memories.

It felt like a struggle bus, but instead of just accepting it and staying seated where there was almost no view, we clamored our way off and on that bus over and over and over and stood up the entire time at the front of the bus, since we no longer had a seat. Guess what? With struggles came progress. The struggle was so worth it!

Struggles develop our strengths, testimony, courage and wisdom.

According to Helen Keller, the struggles of life are one of our greatest blessings. They makes us patient, sensitive and more like Jesus.

Ann Farabee is a teacher, writer and speaker. Contact her at annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com.

By Ann Farabee

‘Where are you?’ The words jumped out at me as I opened my Bible. Those three words from Genesis 3:9 kind of stopped me in my tracks, even though God was talking to Adam and Eve.

Having family members or friends ask me this question is a show of love because they want to know my location. Having God ask me this question is a show of love because He wants me to know my location — and clearly see my situation.

I knew exactly where I was that morning: I was not where I needed to be.

When I read that question, my heart longed to cry out, “God, I’m right here with You! Good morning! Thank You for another day! I know this is the day the Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad in it!”

Instead, I stared blankly at those words. They seemed enormous.

I knew God was asking me the question: Where are you?

Where are we?

1. Up close? In His arms? Allowing God to be part of each moment of our day. Trusting and resting in Him completely. Allowing Christ into every room of our life.

2. Close? But, not close enough? Still pray. Still serve. Still do daily devotions. But…know in our heart that our busy life leaves little room for the relationship with God that we need. God loves us more than we love ourselves and He longs for fellowship with us.

3. Heading to a faraway land? Been in a close relationship with the Lord, but know we have slipped away? Hurt, bitter, discouraged or paralyzed by our circumstance? It is not about religion. It is about a relationship — with Jesus. He misses us and wants us to move up close.

4. In a distant country? We may believe, but have never accepted Jesus into our hearts. Jesus came from heaven to earth to die on the cross for our sins. He rose again on the third day and conquered death, so that we could live eternally with Him in heaven. Accept Him into your heart. Believe on Him. Confess Him as your Savior. The distance will melt away.

I have been in all these places. But, it is my heart’s desire to stay in that No. 1 position: Up close and in His arms.

Sometimes, I have to redirect myself to get there. But, when I draw near to Him, He draws near to me.

There is nothing sweeter on Earth than fellowship with my heavenly father.

So… where are we?

By Ann Farabee

Am I enough? Age is not a factor when it comes to that question.

I have seen students in despair over fractions saying, “I can’t do it!” I have heard toddlers cry out in exasperation, “I can’t do it!” I have been a mother crying out that same comment, “I can’t do it!”

The feeling of inadequacy can hit at any moment.

We learn our inadequacies early in life. We do not feel smart enough or athletic enough, we do not feel that we look good enough, or we do not feel that we can do things as well as others do.

We feel inadequate.

I experienced all of that when in elementary school, and the feelings only grew.

Experiences and emotions in life inform us that we are not enough.

I grew up on Mill Hill in a mill town. I heard the mill whistle blow every morning, which meant my mother was returning home from working her third-shift job, as my father was heading out to his first-shift job.

I remember not wanting to live in that mill house on that mill hill, because all the popular kids I went to school with lived in brick houses. Most of them lived far enough away from the mill that they did not hear that mill whistle blow.

Yes, my measuring stick for richness was whether someone lived in a mill house or a brick house. In middle school, I began to hear rumblings during school among the girls about sleepovers at their houses. I wanted to be invited, but I suspected that I was not enough.

In my mind, the house I lived in and the side of town I lived on apparently determined my worth. It was not their fault. There was no room in my mill house for their sleepovers and apparently there was no room in their houses for me.

Honestly, it stung a bit.

I began to become friends with others — that I was enough for.

Back then, we called it being popular, but there was nothing popular about me.

I did win the spelling bee in the seventh grade. After that, even the “popular” kids often asked me how to spell words during class, but they still never invited me to their parties.

Looking back, it makes me smile — and even laugh — because I eventually figured out that I was enough.

How do I know that? There is no need to share the how. I only need to share the Who, and the Who is Jesus.

I know Jesus personally, and He knows me personally.

If we can trust Him for our salvation, we can trust Him for our circumstance. And through Jesus, we are enough.

By Ann Farabee

As I stood in the funeral home, it seemed the stories all centered around what she had done for others during her 99 years of life.

One family member told of a recent conversation, where she had emphatically stated, “I loved cooking all the meals for my husband and my three sons. It made me happy.”

As I heard this, I smilingly shook my head while thinking, “The joy of cooking?” But she had meant it with her whole heart. She probably felt that same joy when cleaning. Perhaps she felt that joy even as she was doing the laundry.

Stay at home mom, right?

No.

She directed children’s choirs.

She taught kindergarten.

She was Head of Volunteer Services at the hospital.

She faithfully served in her church.

She was a friend to all.

She loved her family well.

And when she needed a ‘break’ from her work, that break came in the form of playing the piano:

• At age 99 – in the assisted living facility where she lived.
• On Sundays – at the church that she and her family faithfully attended.
• And a special performance – on a mansion tour near a New Mexico Boy Scout Camp where she played ‘Jesus Loves Me’ on a $200,000 piano.

But for the family, perhaps the most cherished memories were walking in the back door of home and hearing the hymns flow.

Surely there were days she had not felt like cooking, or cleaning, or teaching, or directing, or maybe even playing the piano. Perhaps she felt like sitting down and taking a break. But if she did, no one remembers seeing that happen.

As years passed, her mind and body began to grow tired. And one day, she was ushered into her eternal home in the arms of Jesus, where according to 1 Peter 1:4, she received an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, that fades not away, reserved in heaven for her. Yes, a place was reserved in heaven! She had reservations!

While on earth, she had lived as we all do – good times, hard times, busy times, quiet times. She chose not just to live a life – but to live a life of joy.

A life of serving her family. A life of serving others. A life of serving her Savior.

0 to 99 – a lot of years – a lot of life – a lot of love. And…it was the daily little things that ended up being the really big things.

What a beautiful legacy. I am sure she had no idea the magnitude of what she was leaving behind for others to emulate in their own lives, because she was too busy spending her time creating that legacy.

After she heard these words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant,” I have no doubt as to what happened next. She sat down… and began playing the piano for Jesus.

Ann is a speaker and teacher. Contact her at annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com

By Ann Farabee

Choices. Choices. Choices.

A choice is defined as the act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more possibilities. They can be small, big, easy, hard, wise, foolish, right, wrong, and life-changing.

Where to start:

Start with God’s Word.

Search the scripture.

God’s Word is alive and active.

God’s Word will speak to our spirits.

Still no insight on making that choice?

Go to Plan B.

Plan B is: Repeat. Start with God’s Word.

What to remember:

A choice should not be based on feelings – but on faith.

A choice is not to be based just on this life – since this life is not the only life we have.

A choice made in obedience can bring order.

A choice made in disobedience can bring chaos.

A day to day right choice makes it easier to make better big choices later.

A choice made for good can put more good into motion.

Examples to follow:

Abraham had to decide whether to follow God’s direction to parts unknown – or to stay in a place where he was comfortable. Genesis 15:6 says that he chose to believe in the Lord. He chose to have faith in God’s Promise. He chose obedience. That choice impacted the history of the world.

In Matthew 9:9, Jesus said, “Follow me.” Matthew arose. Matthew followed Jesus. He was not bothered by the fact that he was a tax collector who would be leaving behind a really nice salary. Jesus said it. He got up. He went.

Jesus said, “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.” Jesus made the choice to come to earth and die for us. Those words from John 15:16 tell us that Jesus made a choice that gives us a choice – to accept or reject Him.

Jesus chose to save the world.

Yes, His choice leaves us with a choice.

Joshua 24:15 says, “Choose you this day whom you will serve.”

Choices. Choices. Choices.

Base them on the Word of God.

It will be a winning choice every time.

Ann is a speaker and teacher. Contact her at annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com

By Ann Farabee

The morning brought a beautiful surprise – snow covered ground. Our view through the front storm door of our home gave us the best of both worlds – warmth- and watching the snow fall.

Our cock-a-poo, Buddy, stood close by – feverishly barking at each flake.

When we opened the door for one split second to see how cold it felt – Buddy darted out, as if he had been plotting his freedom for months. We ran outside in our robes, pajamas, and slippers, screaming his name, “Buddy! Buddy!” He was gone.

He had gone past his boundaries of protection – our home- and the fenced in space in the back yard where he was allowed to run freely.

The roads were difficult to traverse that day, but we started driving through neighborhoods to look for him, windows down, while crying out his name.

As darkness fell, my hope dimmed. He had never been outside the security of home – and it was a dangerous place to be. I knew by now he would be running aimlessly – trying to find his way back.

Signs were placed along the roadside. We drove daily from house to house – calling his name. Two weeks later, we received word that someone had just found him, fed him, gotten him warm, and had taken him to an animal shelter, hoping someone would come looking for him. Someone did.

He was cowered down in the corner of a cage in the shelter. I tenderly and tearfully whispered his name, “Buddy.” He looked up at me, stared for a second – dazed and confused by the surroundings – perhaps wondering how he had gotten to such a low point.

He kept looking up at me- seemingly despondent – and then slowly realizing he was looking into the eyes of one who loved him – and had been searching for him.

I whispered, “Let’s go home, Buddy.” He jumped up – barked – and began clawing his way out of the cage, as if his life was being restored. It was.

The door was opened. How that little dog was able to jump that high up into my arms, I guess I will never understand. Or was it perhaps the joy that comes from being lost and then found?

Oh, my Buddy, why did you leave the boundary we had in place for you?

*It was there for your safety – for your protection.

*You knew better – but went anyway.

*One decision took you on a journey to a place you did not want to be.

*One decision took you on a journey to a place you did not need to be.

*One decision took you on a journey to a place you did not belong.

*Not only did you suffer – but those who loved you suffered, too.

As we got in the car to leave the shelter that day, Buddy had no doubts as to whether he was forgiven and fully restored. Nor did he have concerns as to whether or not he was lost or found. He knew. He was going home.

I still am not sure if I was holding on to him – or if he was holding on to me during that ride home. I somehow think it was both.

Ann is a speaker and teacher. Contact her at annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com

By Ann Farabee

When I was growing up, Christmas was very special. My parents went above and beyond. Christmas food was plentiful for at least a week. Christmas gifts seemed to be much more than we deserved and probably more than my parents could afford.

On Christmas Eve, as I was in the bedroom I shared with my two siblings, I would always listen for sounds of Santa moving around in our living room where the Christmas tree and the chimney were located. Apparently, Santa would never arrive until after I fell asleep.

After a long restless night for me, it would still be dark when my father would come into our room and loudly say, “Looks like somebody’s been here!” That was our signal that it was time to get out of bed and go see what Santa had left for us under the tree.

Our living room would be covered with gifts, especially after they had been unwrapped and the wrapping paper was strewn everywhere. We would spend our entire day looking through our gifts, trying them on, using them, playing with them or looking for batteries. Santa never left batteries. Late in the evening on Christmas Day, when it was time to go back to sleep, we would try to find the perfect spots to keep the gifts. This comment was always made at the end of the day from my father, “Santa sure was good this year.”

The day was over. But, even though the gifts had been opened and put away in their new home, I was still happy, although the decorations and lights from the tree had been put back in the attic for another year — and were now only memories.

The star on top of the tree was often the last memory of Christmas to be put away. It was a gold star with a white light behind it. It was beautiful, and I always handled it very carefully, because to me that star felt like one of the most important parts of the holiday.

I still think of that star. Just looking at it seemed to tell a story of hope — just like it did that night at the manger when the Light of the World was born.

Just like it did when the wise men saw that star and followed it to worship Jesus, the One who had been sent to be born in a manger, so that he could grow up as the Light of the World who would save the world!

Just like the gold star with the white light that I would take out of its box year after year and place on my family’s Christmas tree, it still shines in my heart.

I love that Christmas will always be special, no matter our age.

I love that Christmas will always be a time of good tidings of great joy.

Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Lord, thank You for peace, joy, love, and salvation that we have because of Jesus. Amen

It truly is a Christmas miracle! Ann Farabee is a teacher, writer and speaker.

Contact her at annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com.

By Ann Farabee

While on a field trip to a farm with my 20 kindergarten students, we saw some sheep. You know — those beautiful pure white animals that softly and gently say, “Baa.”

Even though they were in a fenced-in area, and my students were safely huddled around me, I laughed when one of the sheep emitted a true, “BAA!” Every student backed away, immediately and collectively, sticking closer than a brother to their classmates. Seriously, though. That “BAA” was really loud! Plus, that fleece was nowhere near pure white! Some sheep stats for ‘ewe’ to read:

• They have no survival skills.

• They will follow the sheep in front of them, even off a cliff.

• They bleat, grunt, rumble, snort. (BAA is a bleat.)

• Their main defense mechanism is to run.

• Most die because of predators or from stress.

• They have poor vision.

• They feed from dawn to dusk.

• They are often referred to as being dumb. Some shepherd stats for ‘ewe’ to read:

• They guide their sheep to the best pastures.

• They are skillful, guard, lead, correct and teach.

• They tenderly search for sheep that stray.

• They protect their sheep from harm.

• They bind their wounds when they are hurt.

• They nurture them through health problems.

• They shear and clean them to provide better mobility and decrease stress.

• They anoint them with ointment to bring comfort when troubled by insects, so they can rest.

• They stay with them during the darkness of night, keeping them safe.

• They put the welfare of their sheep above their own lives.

Those sheep. They sure are needy.

Those shepherds. They sure are good.

John 10 says that Jesus is the good shepherd, and the good shepherd gives his life for his sheep. He knows his sheep. He calls them by name. They know him.

Say this aloud: The Good Shepherd. Beautiful words, aren’t they?

We like sheep have gone astray. We sure are needy, aren’t we? The Lord is our shepherd, and we shall not want.

We once were lost but now are found. He sure is good, isn’t He?

I don’t know how you feel while reading this, but I sure was thanking God while writing it!

It makes me just want to look toward heaven, lift my hands in praise, and cry out to Jesus, “Baa…baa. I need You, Lord! Thank you for being my Good Shepherd!”

If we truly get a glimpse of how much our Good Shepherd loves and cares for us, I don’t think we will need to count sheep to help us get to sleep tonight!

Ann Farabee is a teacher, writer and speaker. Contact her at annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com.

By Ann Farabee

I categorize myself as a bit of a Scrooge when it comes to Christmas decorating, even though we put our tree up on Nov. 9. I do not consider myself a super helper in this area, either. However, I am a super supervisor.

My favorite part of the decorating is putting the ornaments on the tree, because that requires full family participation, as they listen to me share great memories about the story behind each ornament.

At the bottom of the box where our ornaments have been lovingly stored in the attic for the past year, there are always a few that are broken or separated from their other ornament friends. I have been known to toss some of them gently into the trash, if no one is looking.

This year, as I was preparing to do just that, I noticed Mary — the mother of Jesus. My mind began to think about what her world must have been like in some of those seconds, minutes, days, months and years that she lived on Earth.

The angel Gabriel had brought her the news! She was highly favored and would be the earthly mother of Jesus! As excited and honored as she must have felt, the book of Luke also tells us that she was troubled at what the angel said and questioned him, asking, “How can this be?”

Nine months later, riding on a donkey for four days while ‘great’ with child? That journey had to be very difficult.

No room at the inn? Oh, the pain of that rejection.

Bringing her baby into a dark, ugly world in a dark, ugly manger? It was basically a cave with a feeding trough! Definitely not what she had envisioned.

Twelve years later, heading home from the temple and realizing her son was missing? Unimaginable fear must have gripped her heart.

Twenty-one years after that, her pain was certainly unbearable as she watched Jesus suffer on the cross. She had witnessed his birth, and now has to witness his death. He came to this world as her son and left this world as her Savior. As Jesus looked ahead in time and died for us, He also looked down from the cross and died for her.

Peace for Mary surely at times seemed elusive. Just as it does at times for each of us. We all want peace. We all need it. If we don’t have it, we know it.

We may have received news that is troubling, where we ask, “How can this be?” We may be facing a long, difficult journey. We may feel rejection from others that seem to have no room for us in their lives. We may be in a dark and ugly place, far from what we had envisioned. We may have times of unimaginable fear or unbearable pain as we face circumstances that leave us hurting.

Though Mary’s life was not easy, she lived her life in peace. How do we know that? Because we know she accepted Jesus into heart and life. We also know that she had the Prince of Peace — Jesus — with her always.

I looked again at that manger scene and remembered these words

I have heard many times: No Jesus, no peace.

Know Jesus, know peace.

I sure am thankful for that heavenly peace that passes all understanding and comes only by knowing and accepting the Prince of Peace.

No — the manger scene was not tossed — and I doubt that it would ever be!

By Ann Farabee

As a children’s Sunday school teacher for many years, I was often asked this question, “Where is God?”

My response: God is in heaven.

God is in our hearts.

Another question often asked was, “Is God watching us?”

My response: The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous.

His ears are open to our cry.

He sees the past, present, and future of our lives.

He never sleeps nor slumbers.

His eyes are constantly watching us.

He is our hiding place.

He preserves us from trouble.

He surrounds us with songs of deliverance.

He instructs us in the way that we should go.

He guides us.

These are a few of God’s Promises in the book of Psalms.

How can that be?

As I typed these words, God was speaking to my heart. Those words totally wreck my heart.

To say God ‘wrecks my heart’ is slang for a state of euphoria. Euphoria means experiencing pleasure, excitement and intense feelings of well-being and happiness.

How in the world could I have a state of euphoria?

I am old. I am tired.

I forget things.

I am busy.

One of my favorite statements seems to be, “It is always something.”

When I say those words, a sigh usually accompanies them.

But then I remember the goodness of God! And I thank God — for everything!

God is a miracle that we all have access to.

He will come live in our hearts.

The Holy Spirit is God’s spirit, God’s power, God’s breath, God’s active force and influence over the universe and His creations. God created us in His image, and He speaks to us through the Holy Spirit.

Jeremiah 31:33 says, “I will put my teachings in their minds. And I will write them on their hearts.”

In our minds. On our hearts.

He is our God.

We are His people.

What more could we ask for from our Savior, Jesus Christ? Incredible. Amazing. Extraordinary. Magnificent. Wonderful. Marvelous. Spectacular. We are God’s people!

Where is God?

He is everywhere!

Ann Farabee is a teacher, writer and speaker. Contact her at annfarabee@gmail.com or annfarabee.com.