Ann Farabee

By Ann Farabee

It seemed that he talked about it non-stop. The same stories over and over. I remember very little about it — mostly about him being in Normandy, France, and some stories about being a cook in the Army.

After the war ended, my father later became a member of the VFW — Veterans of Foreign Wars. He served a term as commander there, and always participated in everything that was offered.

He arranged for Taps to be played at funerals of soldiers, and he would often hold the flag during military services.

One day, our family went on a long car ride to Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. My father’s nephew, who was in his early 20s, had been transferred there from Vietnam. He had been shot.

After being discharged from the hospital, he came to live with our family of five in our small mill house. Cannon Mills sent out a crew to build a wheelchair ramp for him, because he was now paralyzed.

I do not remember my cousin talking about what happened in Vietnam — but I do remember him wheeling that wheelchair around the house, trying to go about his life, and holding out hope that he would be able to walk again. He never did.

Both died at what now seems to be a young age — my father at age 60, my cousin at age 46.

What you have read so far is all I really remember about the military lives of my father and my cousin, who defended our country in two different wars — World War II and the Vietnam War.

Yes, it is all I remember!

My father talked about it and I did not listen. My cousin did not talk about it and I did not ask.  And that I greatly regret.

How I wish I could hear their stories now. How I wish I could ask a few questions. How I wish I could know more about what it was really like for them.

But, no. I was too busy growing up and thinking about other things, like “young girl” or “teenage” things. Things that I was able to enjoy because I was living in a free country. A country whose freedom has been defended daily by those who have served — and are serving — in our armed forces.

Veterans Day is a day dedicated to veterans of all wars. It occurs on Nov. 11. In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, an armistice was declared between the Allied Nations and Germany in World War I. In 1938, it became known as Veterans Day.

Know a veteran? Love a veteran? Listen to their stories. Ask lots of questions. Don’t let the stories die.

To all the veterans — we thank you. We know that our freedom is not free, and it has been paid for by your sacrifices.

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

By Ann Farabee

It was a typical day when the family comes to visit. Instead of four of us, the number increased to double digits. The fun began.

Video games, board games, puzzles, 4 Square, basketball, trails in the woods, bikes, hover boards, one wheels, swings, sandbox, trampoline and a treehouse. I would describe it as somewhere between a playground and a park — or both. It was given the name “Farabee Fun House” by a previous guest.

During a break, the refrigerated pre-packaged chocolate chip cookies were placed in the oven. We may — or may not — have eaten some of the raw cookie dough, which the writing on the package forbids. After the oven timer beeped, and the cookies were ready, one would think everyone had been handed a meal fit for a king, as opposed to three cookies on a paper plate.

As the afternoon began to come to a close, and the crowd dwindled, I felt like I always do — grateful that we had been able to get together one more time.

After waving good-bye to the last ones leaving, I went back inside to straighten up.

That was when I noticed the greater than usual assortment of broken leaves and dirt, that had been brought inside on the bottom of quite a few pairs of shoes.

What in the world? Had they not known they were carrying dirt and leaf particles around on their shoes? Had they not seen the “Welcome Mat” that is there all the time for them to shake that dirt off their shoes? Sigh…

One bit of dirt here, one bit of dirt there, one bit of dirt everywhere. The same was true for the crisp bits of leaves — they were everywhere. The kitchen floor seemed to be covered with dirt, so I began to sweep it all toward the center of the room, and was surprised to see how much dirt had accumulated in that pile. Each small particle had seemed minute, but when put together, a mound of dirt had formed.

As I grabbed the dustpan and bent down to sweep the dirt up, this thought came into my heart, “Just like my sin.” We may not even notice one small sin, until that pile of sin grows larger, leaving us feeling that we are becoming entrapped, as even more dirt accumulates around us.

Isaiah 64:6 (NCV) says, “All of us are dirty with sin. All the right things we have done are like filthy pieces of cloth. All of us are like dead leaves, and our sins, like the wind, have carried us away.”

But Ephesians 2:1-5 says, “And you has he made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins. In times past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lust of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature children of wrath, but God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love for us, even when we were dead in sins, made us alive with Christ, by grace are we saved.”

Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace are you saved through faith, and not of yourselves. It is the gift of God.”

Because of Jesus — we have been made worthy. If you do not know Jesus, invite Him to live in your heart today. You will not regret it!

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

By Ann Farabee

The people of Cana of Galilee may not have realized that a divine agent and his mother were in attendance at the wedding. His mom told the servants at the wedding to do what her son told them to do. Apparently she, the mother of Jesus, already knew he was the divine agent from God — and would become known as not only the Savior of the world, but also as the miracle worker.

Did the servants take heed? Yes, they did exactly what Jesus told them to do, which was to fill six pots with water.

They probably did not understand the purpose, but they filled those pots to the brim. That simple act of obedience led to a miracle, because when they drew water from the pots — that water had turned into wine.

Jesus was the miracle worker:

• Fed 5,000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fish.

• Healed a diseased woman when she touched the hem of his garment.

• Sent a demon out of a man who had an unclean spirit.

• Walked on the water on the Sea of Galilee.

• Restored the sight of two blind men.

• Healed 10 lepers.

• Restored a man’s ear.

• Raised Lazarus from the dead.

Do you believe Jesus performed those miracles? I do, too.

Do you believe Jesus performs miracles in 2022? I do, too.

The same Jesus I learned about as a child, through Sunday school quarterlies and flannel board pictures, is the same Jesus that now lives in my heart. If we can trust Jesus for our salvation, we can also trust Jesus for our miracles!

When we need a miracle, we do not see Jesus standing physically by our side, delivering that miracle like He did for those in the Bible.

What we see is even more amazing — Jesus lives in our hearts — which is even closer than face to face. Since Jesus is in our hearts, our miracles are there, as well.

Why do we sometimes not receive our miracle? Is it because we do not do what Jesus tells us to do? Is it because our faith is weak? Is it because we are not expecting a miracle?

“Why can’t I have my miracle, Lord?” I prayed. I sat. I waited. I listened.

“You do,” the Holy Spirit spoke tenderly to my heart, “You do have your miracle.” Immediately, understanding came. Even if I do not see my miracle, it is on its way and it is from God.

A miracle can be defined as an extraordinary manifesting divine intervention in human affairs that cannot be explained by natural or scientific laws and therefore is considered to be the work of a divine agent.

For me — my divine agent is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

Amazingly, He lives in my heart and can live in your heart at the same time. Now, that is a miracle!

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

By Ann Farabee

Who, me? God, You are always thinking of me? What? Did you say that I am your friend? How can that be?

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you hope and a future.”

James 2:23 says, “And the scripture was fulfilled that said Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness and he was called a friend of God.”

God is always thinking about us. God is our friend, and He is so good!

We are in a beautiful season where leaves are changing from green to red, orange, yellow, brown and even purple, reminding us of our beautiful world.

I have a few questions about leaves:

Why do leaves fall from dogwood trees? They are afraid of the bark.

Why were so many people collecting leaves under a tree? It was a poplar tree.

How do maple leaves and elm leaves get along? They sign a peace tree-ty.

What did the tree say after he made an offer? Take it or leaf it.

And a personal favorite: Why don’t you make like a leaf and leave?

All right, let’s just LEAVE the jokes for now…

Genesis 1:12 says that the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the fruit tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

Yes, right in the middle of creation, God made the trees and said they were good. And, He paints their leaves different colors every fall, and He repaints them the next morning and the next!

Are all those amazing colors even in our color spectrum? We have the privilege of watching it all unfold!

Trees begin from a seed to a sprout, a sapling to a young tree, to a mature tree, to a snag dead tree whose life is coming to an end as it falls to the ground years later.  But even then, it continues to provide shelter for animals in its cavities and tree holes, food for animals, nesting for animals and a place for woodpeckers to peck.

As I was finishing this column, I convinced my husband to help me count the trees on our property. Not one of the approximately 1,500 was exactly alike. As far as counting the number of leaves, many of which were on the ground — only God can do that.

God works out every single detail in nature, and we get to enjoy the beauty! Isn’t it amazing?

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

By Ann Farabee

Peace — we all need it.

How do we define peace? Freedom from disturbance, tranquility, calm, restfulness, quiet, freedom from interference and lack of conflict can all be attributes that are used to define and bring about peace.

We need peace in our hearts, in our homes and in our lives. Without peace, there is no peace.

An archaic definition of peace is that it is an order to be silent, and sometimes, that is probably the best way to attain peace.

A more updated definition of peace is to be in harmony and in the absence of hostility.

Peace as the world describes it is the absence of conflict. Peace is not a place where there is no noise or trouble or hard work. It means that when we are in those situations, we can still have peace.

Does God want us to have peace?
• Isaiah 9:6 tells us that God is the Prince of Peace.

• Philippians 4:7 says that God’s peace should rule our hearts.

• John 14:27 promises, “Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let  not your heart be troubled. Neither let it be afraid.”

Jesus gave it to us and the world cannot take it away. Peace is the result of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. That peace is deep and everlasting.

God’s peace gives us confident assurance in any situation.

• Do not let anyone destroy your peace.
• Peace is a battle that is worth the effort it may take to attain it.
• Peace is achieved by understanding.
• Peace can even be found in the midst of a storm.
• Peace comes as we accept the power to overcome.
• Peace is beautiful.
• Peace is a lifestyle that we all should seek.

No matter the circumstance, the peace of God can rule our hearts.

Our hearts do not have to be troubled.

Live in peace. It passes all understanding.

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

By Ann Farabee

Labor pains had begun. The time was almost here.

We were ready. We had been in training for this! We had prepared. We had notes to guide us. We had attended classes with other parents-to-be. We had been educated on what to expect. We had practiced. We followed instructions. We had been trained in how to respond as the birth pains escalated. Proper breathing techniques were my friend.

At that time, it was called natural childbirth. After 31 hours of labor, the training paid off. A mother — me — had made it through childbirth with no medication. My husband had survived, as well. We had trained for the birth of our baby and our promise had been delivered!

Thankfully, we had been in training for that moment in time — I mean for that 31 hours in time — that took place almost 40 years ago. To be in training can mean preparing for or learning a certain skill, often through instruction. It can end with a promise of becoming fit, qualified and proficient at whatever it is we are training to do. This was a promise I had been willing to work for. We were successful.

Was it easy? Uh, no. Was it worth it? Yes.

Would I have done it without training? No.

We have all trained for something many times in our lives. Training teaches us, prepares us and gives us skills and knowledge.

God’s Word teaches us about training:

2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness.”

“Train ourselves for godliness, for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” — 1 Timothy 4:8

Psalm 144:1 states, “blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.”

“Let the word of Christ have its home within you, dwelling in your heart and mind, permeating every aspect of your being as you teach spiritual things and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” — Colossians 3:16

Got it? Just in case, here is a summary:

God’s Word trains us in righteousness. We are to train ourselves for godliness, and the Lord trains us for battle.

As the Lord has his home within us, we are to train one another. Training in righteousness, training for godliness, training for battle and training one another brings a promise for our present life and also for our life to come.

It is a promise we can cling to!

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

By Ann Farabee

My family and I were coming home from a trip when I got the call that a close friend was in the last hours of her earthly life. When I arrived outside her hospital room door, I was told by family members and her nurse that her eyes had been fixed on the top corner of the room all day and she had not responded to anyone. They all said that she had been waiting on me. As I walked in and whispered her name, she fleetingly glanced my direction before looking back to that corner of the room that had her fixated.

I knew immediately what was going on — angels were in the room. They had come to usher her home.

Still whispering, I asked her, “You see Jesus, don’t you?”

Her eyes did not move, but for a fleeting second, I felt a faint squeeze of her hand in mine. With tears of grief and love in my eyes, I was amazed that God was allowing me to be with her in this moment. My whispering continued,“You see angels don’t you? They are in that corner, aren’t they?” She blinked.

“Go!” I said. “Go to Jesus. The angels came to get you!”

Her trip from earth to heaven was in its final moments and I could feel the thickness of the presence of the Holy Spirit filling the hospital room. Her day of eternal healing was here, and she would be crossing the bridge between earth and heaven at any moment. It almost felt as if I would be going with her, but I knew I had gone as far across that bridge with her as earth would allow at this moment in time.

This was her day to become a citizen of heaven. This was her day to go to the Father’s house, and her day to be seated in heavenly places.

Her earthly breathing — which had been labored for several days — stopped.

But the breath of God remained, filling every corner of the room and ushering in the sweet savor of our Savior’s love, grace and mercy that we could never even begin to understand.

She was gone. She was now with Jesus — her Lord and Savior.

According to 2 Timothy 1:10, death has been abolished by Jesus. John 14:2 says when we die, we will go to the Father’s house.

Acts 7:56 says, we will go to be with Jesus at the right hand of God, and according to Ephesians 2:6, He has raised us up where we will sit in heavenly places. Philippians 1:21 says that for us to live is Christ and to die is gain.

According to Philippians 3:20, we will be citizens of heaven, Philippians 3:21 says Jesus will change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like His glorious body, and 2 Corinthians 5:8 says absence from the body means being present with the Lord.

By Ann Farabee

It always helps to cling to a few tidbits of truth. A tidbit is defined as a pleasing bit of information. Finding a tidbit that sticks with us throughout our day can remind us that God is for us, and if God is for us, who can be against us?

Here are a few tidbits of truth to get us started:

The impossible can happen. If we can trust Jesus for our salvation, why would we think He could not do the impossible on our behalf? If we can believe for heaven, we can believe for our circumstance. Luke 1:37 says, “For nothing will be impossible with God.”

What should we do when we are struggling? Spend time with Jesus. No matter where we are in life, He is still the potter and we are still the clay.

Can faith replace fear? Fear can come from being in a dark place in life, and a dark place is where negatives develop. Fear is a spirit, and you need to tell it to get away from you. If we are fearful, God wants to speak peace.

David knew what he was going to do before he went on the battlefield. He said, “I’m not coming in my name! I’m coming in the name of the Lord!” The giant was so big David could not have missed him!

Replace, “What if?” with “Why not?”

No one or nothing is bigger than God’s plan.

God is calling us. We are shielded by God. Don’t look back — we aren’t going that way! Philippians 3:13-14 says, “Forget the things that are behind — and reach forth unto these things which are before.”

We must press forward.

Philippians 3:14 says, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Do we believe? God can help us with that. Lord, help our unbelief.

Adversity can change us in good ways. A potato is hard, but it changes when boiled and becomes soft. Coffee beans put in water will change the water, and we can have coffee.

God loves our worship. It lifts us up closer to Him.

1 Chronicles 16:23 says, “Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day.”

No need for me and God to stay awake. Faith honors God, and God honors faith.

Rest and be at peace — God is in control. Our weakness is an opportunity for God to use us, and His grace is sufficient for us.

Jesus is coming — take comfort in those words. They give us a true perspective of what life is about.

Our daily worries can fall away as we think about the promised return of Jesus!

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

By Ann Farabee

He was a little restless, and I knew he was about to cry, so I reached my arms out toward him, he smiled his award-winning smile, and for the first time ever, he reached his arms out toward me. I positioned him on my lap to where I knew he was comfortable and happy, and then pulled him close to my chest, while whispering softly, “I love you, baby.”

My little seven-month-old grandson then wiggled himself to the side a bit and turned his head just enough to look up at me until our eyes met. I began to gently rub my hand across the top of his head and whisper words of love ever so softly in his ear. I felt his little body completely relax and he seemed to melt into my arms. Somehow, I believe I melted, too.

I then did what I always do. Placing the side of my face gently on top of his head, I begin to softly sing these words:

Jesus loves Beckett, this I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. They are weak but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves Beckett. Yes, Jesus loves Beckett. Yes, Jesus loves Beckett. The Bible tells me so.

With his head still against my chest, I could see his face as I sang those precious words.

Not once, not twice, not three times, but four times.

He never moved a muscle and he never closed his eyes. He just listened.

We were both as still as we could be in that sweet moment, as my lips breathed out those precious words.

Don’t tell me that Jesus doesn’t speak to the hearts of our babies!

Don’t tell me that babies can’t feel the sweet loving presence of God in their lives.

For God is real. He speaks to us. He speaks to our children. And He will speak to their children.

Matthew 18:10 says, “Take heed that you despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father, which is in heaven.”

The angels of our babies always behold the face of our Father in heaven? Yes.

How does God speak to us? He speaks to our hearts.

He speaks to us through nature, through others and through the words in our Bible.

He speaks to us through the Holy Spirit.

And, it does not always have to be words that we hear, but it may be something that we feel.

As GG, which stands for Gorgeous Grandma, I am not with my grandchildren or my children all the time.

But one thing I do know — God is always with them.

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

By Ann Farabee

Emergency hotline!

Need help? Call Hebrews 13:6 — “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” Help is on the way!

Angry? Call Ephesians 4:26 —“Be angry and sin not. Let not the sun go down on our wrath. If we become angry and fail to handle it properly, we may hurt others and destroy relationships.”

Burdened? Call Psalm 55:22 — “Cast our burdens on the Lord — He will sustain us.” Cast means to throw or to hurl. Sustain means to carry, support, and hold up.

Afraid? Call Psalm 27:1 — “The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear?” The Lord is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?

Away from God? Call Jeremiah 3:22 — “Return ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backsliding.” I am the Lord your God. Are we a child of God who has been away from Him? We can return — and be healed.

Problems with the kids? Call Psalm 127:3 — “Children are a gift from the Lord.” Children are a gift from the Lord. (Repeat as needed.)

Need rest? Call Jeremiah 6:16 — “Thus saith the Lord, Stand in the ways, and see and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Don’t understand? Call Proverbs 3:5 — “Trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not to our own understanding.”

Weak? Call 2 Corinthians 12:9 — “God’s power is made perfect in weakness.” God uses us when we are weak! Are we weak enough for God to use us?

Sad? Broken-hearted? Call Psalm 34:18 — “The Lord is near to those who are of a broken heart.” Amazing! The Lord is even closer to us when our hearts are broken.

Faithless? Call Matthew 17:20 — “If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Remove to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Nothing is impossible — all it takes is a little faith.

Does God Care? Call Psalm 139:17-18 — “How precious are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand.” God thinks of us more than there are grains of sand?! Yes, God does care!

Need victory? Call John 16:33 — “Be encouraged! I have overcome the world!” There is victory in Jesus!

Call the emergency hotline now — Jesus is on the mainline!

Email one of your personal favorite emergency hotline numbers to annfarabee@gmail.com. I will add them to my emergency hotline numbers and email the updated version to you! I look forward to hearing from you!

Ann Farabee is a teacher, writer and speaker.