Ann Farabee

By Ann Farabee

By Ann Farabee

On your mark. Get set. Go.

Year after year, early each morning I would go to my classroom, sit down at my desk, and look over my plans for the day. On that desk, I always tried to set out everything my class would need for that day.

Then, as the school day ended, I would finally sit down at my desk again. By this time, a lot of stuff had accumulated there. Those late afternoons brought organizing, paper grading, preparation, reflection, and closure. Before I left school, my goal was to set before me every thing we would need for the next day.

What happened in the hours between the beginning and the ending of our day? A lot of hard work.

Getting set for each day was important. If I was set for the day, it made a difference:

* I was a better teacher.
* I was a better person.
* The students were better, too.

As I was getting set one morning before students arrived, I was looking for something – not sure what it was – in my right hand desk drawer.

As I rummaged through it, I noticed a Bible.

I took it out.
I opened it.
I immediately saw these words: I have set the Lord before me always: because he is at my right hand. Psalm 16:8

I looked over at that right hand desk drawer.
I looked back at the Bible in my hand.
I read the verse one more time.

I decided that the Bible in my right hand desk drawer opening to that verse when I picked it up was not a coincidence.

In some ways, we all get set for our day, don’t we?
We plan. We work hard. We organize. We make sure everything is ready – for ourselves and for others.

But to set the Lord before us always – is more important than any plans we ever make.

As we begin our day.
As we go through our day.
As our day comes to an end.

Because He is at our right hand.
That is close.
He protects us. He has plans for us.

Whatever our days are like – in a classroom, in a living room, in a prayer room, in a conference room, in a hospital room, in a dorm room – we can set the Lord before us always – and know that He is at our right hand.

At our right hand. Right now.
Amazing, isn’t it?

Let’s set the Lord before us – always.

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

By Ann Farabee

A hero video

By Ann Farabee

His age is 24. His number is 15. His name is Patrick. He plays football.

And faith in God was his message in an interview:

*He had gone to church since he was young.

*He kept going to church when he got older.

*He went to Bible study on Friday.

*He went to chapel on Saturday.

*He walked into the stadium on Sunday.

*He kneeled – and prayed – at the goalpost.

Toward the end of the interview, he said that he liked being at a stage where he could glorify God.

He sure was that night as 148.5 million watched.

Patrick Mahomes, quarterback of the Kansas City Chiefs, had just led his team to a Super Bowl victory.

On that huge world stage in his life – and in that important stage of his life – his faith was displayed.

He was a hero.

He was a man of faith.

A hero – of faith.

I watched in awe, as I said to my family, “Wouldn’t it be amazing to be able to have a world stage like that to share your faith on?”

Hebrews 11 has a list of what is often referred to as heroes of faith. The list includes:

*Sara – who doubted God.

*Noah – who had gotten drunk and embarrassed himself in front of his sons.

*Rahab – who was a moral failure.

*Moses – who was disobedient to God.

*Abraham – who was old when he began his journey of faith – and who lied, deceived, and laughed at God.

Their lives were not perfect, but their purpose was. They were on the stage where God put them – and in the stage of life where God wanted them.

They all had faith. And their faith still impacts us today.

Can we be a hero of faith?

Maybe not to THE world.

But maybe we can to OUR world.

In our ways. In our words. In our work. In our worship.

On a stage – or in a stage – where God can use us.

Our lives are not perfect – but our purpose is.

The world may not see us kneeling at a goalpost, but a child may see us kneeling by their bedside.

The world may not hear us say the name of Jesus to an audience of millions, but some in our world will see – and feel – our heart as we share the love of Christ daily with those God has put in our path.

Don’t feel like a hero?

A.W. Tozer said, “We can be in our day what the heroes of faith were in their day – but remember at the time, they didn’t know they were heroes.”

I believe there can be a hero of faith inside each of us.

Tell someone they are a hero of faith.

Be someone’s hero of faith.

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

By Ann Farabee

By Ann Farabee

On that day, most teen girls at my high school were looking for – or hoping for – a valentine. I was no exception. Throughout the school day – nothing. Hope had begun to dwindle, even though I had been ‘dating’ someone for a few months.

I got home from school. Walked in the front door.

There it was!

A box. A really big box. A really really big box. It seemed to fill the room.

Pink gift wrap covering it. Red bows draping over it. Red ribbons from side to side. Red ribbons from top to bottom.

The box was much taller than this young girl – as I stood there staring up with an incredulous look on my face.

That box was for me!

And there he was – the boyfriend – stepping out from inside the box.

My valentine had been personally delivered.

I suppose a lot of people had gotten chocolate, roses, or both – but I had been given the memory of a lifetime.

I may have been handed chocolate and roses, but I really do not remember.

It was all about the box – the big box.

It was half a century ago, and now I somehow see it more clearly than I did then.

I think of a teen boy:

Wanting to give a special gift.

Getting the courage to tell his parents his idea.

Looking for – and attaining – a refrigerator box.

Using his money from a part-time job to buy a ton of gift wrap, bows, and ribbons.

Getting the courage to tell my parents his plan.

Struggling to wrap a refrigerator box and finish it off with ribbons and bows.

Waiting at my home with my parents for me to arrive.

Valentines is the sweetest, isn’t it?

I feel sure I had never even dreamed at that moment that I would be celebrating February 14 for many years to come with thousands of students over many many years of teaching.

It has never gotten old.

Beautiful fancy cards that were practically embellished with jewels.

Cards stating, “You blow me away!” with a blow-pop attached.

Or “I chews you,” with gum attached.

Or, “You rock!” with pop rocks attached.

Boxes of candy hearts.

Boxes of chocolate.

Flowers.

Cupcakes. Ahh… the cupcakes.

Handwritten love notes slipped secretly onto my desk..

I wish I had saved every single one.

I wonder if they would fill the refrigerator box had I saved it.

My mother handing me a box of chocolates when I was just a little girl.

My children slipping me a valentine they made secretly in their rooms.

My husband handing me a card and telling me he loves me.

Priceless.

Please tolerate my moment of nostalgia for February 14.

I leave you with the words of this special song from the Beatles:

All you need is love.

All you need is love.

All you need is love, love.

Love is all you need.

Happy Valentines Day.

I love you.

Make a memory.

Hold it in your heart… forever.

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

By Ann Farabee

By Ann Farabee

Ask Hezekiah. He was near death. With his face turned to the wall, he prayed. He asked God to remember him. He wept. The Lord responded that he had heard his prayer. He had seen his tears. He would heal him. God gave him 15 more years.

Hezekiah’s Address: 2 Kings 20

Ask Hannah. She had not been able to bear a child. She became discouraged. At the depth of bitterness in her soul, she prayed to the Lord. She wept. God answered her prayer. She gave birth to a son.

Hannah’s Address: 1 Samuel 1-2

Ask Moses. His prayer was to see God’s glory. He was allowed to see God’s ‘back parts’ as the Lord passed by. When Moses came down the mountain, his face was still shining, because he had been in the presence of God.

Moses’ Address: Exodus 33-34

Ask Jairus. He saw Jesus passing by, fell at his feet, and urgently begged, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. I pray thee, come and lay hands on her, that she may be healed, and she shall live.” Jesus went. Word came that the daughter was dead. Jesus said, “Be not afraid. Only believe.” Jesus took the girl by the hand and told her to arise. She got up and walked.

Jairus’ Address: Mark 5

Ask Peter. He was in prison. The church was praying for him without ceasing. Peter was bound with chains. He slept between two soldiers. The keepers of the door were on watch. The angel of the Lord came, shined a light in the prison, and told Peter to arise. His chains fell off his hands. The angel told him to get his shoes on, cast his garment about him, and follow me. They went past the guards – and the gate opened by itself!

Peter’s Address: Acts 12

Ask the thief on the cross. As the dying thief looked at Jesus on the cross beside him, he asked, “Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus did.

Thief’s Address: Luke 23

*1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing.

*Mark 11:24 – Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Should we pray?

Here’s a better question –

Why wouldn’t we pray?

*Ask Ann – to pray for you. I would love to add you to my prayer list.

*Ann’s address: annfarabee@gmail.com

By Ann Farabee

The young baseball player began to step up to the plate, while holding a bat that was about as big as he was.

But, before he positioned himself, he looked around, searching for the presence of the one he most wanted to see – his father.

He knew his dad had promised he would be there that day, but he was unable to see him in the crowd.

It only took one pitch – and he was off! Rounding the bases as quickly as those little legs could carry him, he heard a voice from the stands, “Keep going! Keep going!”

He recognized that voice – as the voice of his father.

As he touched home plate to complete his first ever home run, he looked up – and there he was – his father running toward him to scoop him up in his arms.

As he swung him around, the son cried out, “You were here the whole time – and I didn’t even know it!”

While witnessing this, and hearing those words from a child, I was reminded of the story of Jacob in Genesis 28. Jacob was in a hard place in life. A dark place. A cold place. A lonely place.

I can almost envision the pain, fear, exhaustion, desperation, and perhaps tears that he experienced while in that place. The sun had set, so he stayed all night, and used a rock for a pillow.

It was not a comfortable place to be.

It was a hard place to have to stay.

But – oh it was so worth it.

Because God showed up – to let him know that He was with him in ALL places – wherever he went – and that He would never leave him.

As Jacob began to awaken from the dream, the reality of the personal life-changing encounter with the Creator of the World left him with these words in his heart and burning on his lips, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not.”

It had not been about the place at all.

It had been about the Presence – of the Father.

God WAS there the whole time.

God IS there the whole time.

God WILL BE there the whole time.

But yet – too often – we know it not.

Or we do not even notice.

His Presence.

His Promise.

In our place.

Priceless.

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

By Ann Farabee

I sneaked out early, before the family woke up. I was going to beat the crowd to the mall at a very busy time of year. I had a store in mind where I knew I could find a special gift for a special three year old.

I got the best parking spot. I suppose that was a plus.

I wasn’t wearing my PJs — but some may have thought I was.

Nope. I was there for one item. In and out quickly. Get what I came for. Head home.

Being inconspicuous was my goal.

But there she was: THE GREETER.

She was definitely glad to see me.

“Are you ready to get a magical adventure started?” she asked.

I made eye contact, gave a ‘half smile’ and buried my head among some items for sale, as I whispered, “I’m just looking.”

She cheerfully pointed out a couple of things she thought I would love, told me to enjoy my adventure, and to let her know if I needed her.

I hurriedly grabbed the item I wanted and walked to the other side of the store.

There she was. Greeter #2. Excitedly smiling, she said sweetly, “Good morning! Oh, I love what you picked out!”

I stopped. I glanced back toward Greeter #1 on the other side of the store. She waved. I then looked again at Greeter #2, who continued to beam with excitement over what I had picked out to purchase.

I gave up. I smiled. I talked with them about the item I was getting for my granddaughter.

I had switched over to a good mood. It really was simple. It was a lot more fun, too.

Against the wishes of my ‘stony’ heart that morning, I had given in and allowed myself to have a magical adventure – not because of the stuff in my bag – but because of the greeters in the store.

I felt I left with more in my heart than I had in my shopping bag.

Later, I decided to ask if I could become a greeter at church. They let me. Apparently, they were unaware of my poor attitude in the mall.

I love being a greeter. I say hello, have conversations, shake hands, get hugs, meet new people, answer questions – and offer them a peppermint – or two.

I have yet to ask, “Are you ready to get your Sunday morning spiritual adventure started?”

If I did, I think they would all smile and say, “Yes.”

The power of a smile and a hello.
You can use it anywhere.
It cheers people up.
It establishes good relationships.
It sets a positive tone.
It’s contagious.

Be a greeter.

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