Ann Farabee

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. 

By Ann Farabee

There will come a day you will notice. No matter how hard you try to convince yourself that you can fight it off, it shows up anyway.

We are all getting older.

I consider myself an expert on getting older because I have had a lot of experience.

For me, getting older has been characterized by a weak knee, a weak hip, weak lungs, high cholesterol, memory problems, wrinkles and being tired.

That’s about it, unless I forgot something — which I probably did.

Good news, I exercise. Bad news, I do not eat properly.

Good news, I eat ice cream every day. Bad news, I should not eat ice cream every day.

When I finally get to the bed each evening, it feels as if it is where I belong. It is as if my bed had been waiting on me all day. Pillows propped up perfectly. Ahhh — I made it another day. Time to rest!

Joshua 13:1 says that the Lord was speaking to Joshua, who was old and stricken in years.

The word “stricken” isn’t actually in our vocabulary, but I think we get the idea.

And, the verse could be read with my name in it instead of Joshua’s name. “Ann was old and stricken in years.” It sounds a bit offensive to me, but it is in the Bible, so I chose to keep looking at it.

The word “stricken” can mean:

• Affected or overwhelmed by
• Made incapable or unfit
• Like being hit and wounded by a missile

I specifically identify with No. 3, although Joshua at this time was between 85-100 years old — and I am way younger than that!

In the next part of the verse, the Lord pointed it out again, “You are old and stricken in years.” Then the verse says, “Take a break. You have done enough.” Oh, so sorry! I accidentally misquoted that!

The Lord actually said, “There remains very much land to be possessed.”

Not only did Joshua have work left to do — but he had very much work left to do.

I believe we should all, no matter our age, take the Lord’s words to heart: Not only does there remain much land to be possessed, but we still have very much land to be possessed.

Where is our land that needs to be possessed that the Lord is reminding us of? It could be a child on the other side of the world that through our small monthly donation is able to be fed physically and spiritually. It could be someone in our neighborhood. It could be someone in our church. It could be in our workplace. It could be in our home.

The Lord is nudging us to remember that we all — no matter our age — still have land that needs to be possessed. Even if we feel old and stricken in years, there is much work to be done on that land that we have been given to possess. Very much work!       

You know what? I am thankful for that — God can still use each and every one of us!

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

By Ann Farabee

Insurmountable odds? Improbable victory? Giant problems?

In 1 Samuel 17, the Philistines — better known as the giants — stood on a mountain on one side. Israel stood on a mountain on the other side. There was a valley between them. As was the custom, the strongest from each camp would fight for the victory!

Enter the two main characters: Goliath and David.

Goliath was overconfident and was overtaken!

Goliath was almost 10 feet tall and the strongest of the Philistines. He was called the champion. He wore a brass helmet, brass coat and brass shoulder and leg protection. His staff had a strong spearhead. A shield bearer always went before him into battle. He marched out dressed in full armor for 40 days to intimidate and put fear in the hearts of the Israelites. Guess we could say Goliath thought he was a 40-point favorite! Mr. Goliath thought he was completely covered, but he didn’t have anywhere near the protection David had, because David went in the name of the Lord!

David was overlooked but overtook!

David was not the obvious choice to fight Goliath, because Saul was the tallest of the Israelites. Saul’s response to facing Goliath? Dismay and great fear! So, along comes David. A lowly shepherd. He got up early — not to slay a giant — but to go to the camp to take food to his brothers. He saw Goliath — not as a champion and a giant — but as someone defying God. He knew there was a cause, there was a need to do the right thing, and that the battle was the Lord’s.

He put his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones, put them in his shepherd’s bag and picked up his sling. He said, “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.”

Then, David didn’t march — he ran toward Goliath — with a sling and a stone. As he ran, he got bolder and the stone became like a boulder! He threw it with such force that it sank right into the uncovered part of Goliath — his forehead! Battle won.

David didn’t need to know Goliath’s strength, because he knew God’s strength. Goliath came with a sword, but David came in the name of the Lord.

Goliath thought he was too big to lose, Saul thought Goliath was too big to fight, but David thought Goliath was too big to miss!

It only took one stone. So, why did he carry five? Goliath had four brothers.

Did David do it or did God do it? Yes!

Insurmountable odds? Yes, we have them. Improbable victory? Go in the name of the Lord.

Giant problems? It only takes one stone.

Wake. Pray. Slay.

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

By Ann Farabee

They called it Mill Hill.

That’s because the houses were on a hill near the mill. I called it my neighborhood.

I remember playing softball in the middle of that road daily, as I was growing up.

You may want to keep in mind a couple of previous columns where I mentioned my lack of athletic prowess — by finishing last in the mile run, and getting stuck on the rope in PE class. Playing softball was just as bad.

I was an easy out. I would not try to catch a ball nor would I chase the ball, and I backed away from fielding the ball.

Two things could stop our neighborhood ballgames — the street light would come on at dark, which meant it was time to go inside, or the ball would roll down into the dreaded dark storm drain pipe and be irretrievable.

I was not a fan of the dreaded dark storm drain pipe. As I lackadaisically headed to get to to the ball, others would pass me trying to get there before it went down the drain. Obviously, this type of occurrence is where the phrase “down the drain” must have originated.

Why didn’t I go after it? Why didn’t I try?

Was it because I could not pursue that ball, or that I would not pursue that ball?

I remember thinking:

• It is too hard.

• I can’t do it.

• I don’t have confidence.

• I don’t have skill.

• Why even try?

Paul is one example of someone in the Bible who decided to choose to pursue his purpose in life. He knew his suffering would have an eternal consequence. God had chosen him to suffer for the sake of the Gospel — and he was willing to pursue that purpose. When he said “yes!” to Jesus, he sold out for Christ. God did not waste any part of Paul — his background, his physical ability, his mind — and his weakness.

Wonder if he thought that it was too hard, he couldn’t do it, or he didn’t have the confidence or skill. He may have thought those things, but he knew that with God, he could do all things.

When God brings us to it, we should choose to pursue it.

Looking back, I really should have chosen to pursue those balls that went down the drain!

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

By Ann Farabee

There are goals we will not accomplish. There are problems we will not overcome.

We will not be everything for everyone that we want to be. We will not do everything for everyone that we want to do.

We need to stop — being so hard on ourselves. We were never promised a perfect and problem free life.

Job 14:1 says, “Man, who is born of woman, is short of days and full of trouble.”

Short of days? Full of trouble?

That reality comes across as a bit gloomy, doesn’t it? But, Psalm 118:24 tells us that this is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

It does not say we should rejoice and be glad in it. It says we will rejoice and be glad in it.

So — short of days. And — full of trouble. Rejoice and be glad in it.

It seemingly comes down to one word — trust! Trust gives us the power to rejoice and be glad in it!

When my children were toddlers and I would hold them tightly in my arms while in the pool or ocean, they would still sometimes be fearful. When that happened, they would hold on to me a little more tightly, because they knew deeper waters were starting to surround them.

The deeper the water got, the more afraid they were. Until they went all the way in. Once they went all the way in — they never wanted to get out. They would beg to go a little deeper because they soon realized they had trust. Trust had been gained and there was no stopping them.

Is that how we are with trust?

Once we completely trust that Jesus will carry us in his arms through the deep and troubled waters of our lives, we will be able to rejoice and be glad in it — not just some days — but every day.

There is a peace that enters our spirit that we cannot explain. It is called the peace of God. It is called trust.

Lord, we don’t understand how you can bring such peace in our lives. It is a peace that passes our understanding. We don’t understand how you can take our lives that are short of days and full of trouble, and give us the power to rejoice and be glad in it, as we trust in you. Help us to remember that this is the day that you have made. Remind us to use it for your glory. Amen

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

By Ann Farabee

A code word was said over the intercom. My students looked at me. Not a word was said. Not a sound was made. In unison, we all began to walk to the classroom closet. I counted my students as they entered, joined them in the darkness, and closed the door.

“It is a drill. It is only a drill,” I told myself.

But I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders.

Our job was to be calm, still, quiet, and to open the door for no one.

Several minutes later, although the classroom door had been locked and closed, it slowly opened. We heard each footstep of someone heading across the classroom and stopping at the closet door. The door handle was shaken and pulled on by the “pretend” intruder.

Only the locked door separated us — and as the teacher — I was the closest one to the door. My students were huddled behind me. Waiting silently and breathlessly, we soon heard the “pretend” intruder walk back out through the classroom doorway, and close the door. We still knew not to move, just in case his closing of the door had been a trick and he was still in our classroom.

Finally, we heard the principal say over the intercom, “The lockdown drill is now over. Everyone can return to class.”

This was my first experience practicing what to do if there was a potential threat to our safety during the school day. I am sure the procedure has changed over the years, but for me, it felt very personal. It felt very lonely. It felt scary. Mostly, it felt overwhelming for me, as I realized the responsibility I would carry on my shoulders if there ever was a real threat to my students.

This lockdown required a totally different mindset than what students and teachers experienced during fire drills. I felt every ounce of the seriousness from my 6th graders, who were also experiencing their first lockdown.

As I waited with them, my thoughts were, “Why are the schools doing drills like this? A fire drill, I understood. But has our nation really come to the need for a drill like this one? This is America. These are children. No one would come to a school and put our children at risk.”

Now, decades later, I look back at the innocence I had that day — the innocence we all had — during those years.

It was a drill that I could not understand at the time. It was also my first introduction to the world that was coming.

As a student, teacher, parent, grandparent and as a retired teacher who continues to teach, I have spent much of my life in schools.

As I watched the news recently and kept up with horror of the killing of school children in Uvalde, I naturally thought of the many students I have taught over the years, and asked myself this question, “What would I have done?”

That is a question I feel that I can answer.

Without a doubt, I would have laid my life down for any — and all — of my students. I do not know a teacher who would not do the same.

Teachers and students have a bond that cannot be explained, but can only be felt. We are not family by blood — but we are family.

As another school year ends, may I express a “thank you!” to our teachers for all that you do for our children. You are valued and appreciated. May your career be blessed.

Cherish every moment.

Time spent teaching is never lost.

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

By Ann Farabee

Get to work!

It was 1972. I had just graduated from high school and had been offered summer employment at Cannon Mills. I would be a twister in #7 Spin. I was ecstatic!

The fact that it was 3rd shift did not deter me. I was going to be earning a ton of money that summer – or at least it felt that way.

Shortly before the 11pm mill whistle would blow, I would find a parking spot, take a deep breath, and head in through the guarded gate that would soon shut behind me.

For five nights a week, I would remain there until 7am. My days were short. My nights were long. Summer break was definitely not a break. The twister room ‘loomed’ large with row after row of huge, loud machines. The sound was deafening, but it was muffled by my required earplugs.

For the entire 8 hours, I focused on my work, although I knew the rest of Kannapolis, NC was sleeping. My role was to tie up threads that broke and to replace spools that needed to be replaced. I loved the challenge of walking up and down the rows, keeping my machines running at 100% efficiency.

As daylight arrived, the mill whistle would blow again and I would walk out through that same gate, happily passing by those who were heading into work to begin their shift. I knew it was time for me to rest.

It was one of my most eye-opening and meaningful life experiences.

Little did I know it was also a foreshadowing of the rest of my lifeI

During college, the jobs changed, but I still worked. Flipping burgers at the Snack Shack, cashier at Rose’s, a waitress at the Pizza Inn, and as an employee who knew how to do it all at McDonald’s.

Then, one day, I graduated from college and began my teaching career.

The next 40 years sure did fly by.

Work – whether for a salary or not – is a beautiful thing.

Should we work? Did God work?

Of course! God created all things! That was definitely work! 

But remember this – on the seventh day – he rested.

What does the Bible say about work?

*Genesis 2:15 tells us that God created man, put him in the garden of Eden, and told him to work.

*2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 tells us that if we are not willing to work, neither should we eat. It also tells us that we are to work quietly and earn our own living.

*Colossians 3:23 says that we need to work heartily, as for the Lord.

To work heartily means to work zealously, sincerely, earnestly, cordially, and warmly.

Doesn’t that sound like a wonderful way to approach work?

And – since we are doing it as unto the Lord – that makes God our boss.

Our work is of God.

It is a privilege, an honor, and a blessing.

So – keep working – because work is worth it!

By Ann Farabee

Where have we been?

Once upon a time, I went through a corn maze, with the emphasis on the word once. What began as a nonchalant, leisurely, confident walk through the maze with my 6th grade students, quickly turned into thick tall towering stalks of corn terrorizing me.

Being directionally challenged, I tried to keep up with my students, but they abandoned me and found their way to the exit easily. I could hear them laughing and talking outside the maze – and wondering what had happened to their teacher.

What had been fun for them – had become fearful for me.

For I was the one who got lost.

After realizing I was walking around in circles, I began to cry out, “I’m lost! Where is everybody?” My students responded in unison from outside the maze, “We’re over here!”

That was not a helpful response.

Where exactly is over here?

And how do you get to over here?

After sensing my frustration, one student called out, “I’ll come back and lead you through!”

He did.

I sure was glad.

In Jeremiah 2:6, the people were reminded of where they had been.

In Jeremiah 2:7, the people were reminded of how God led them through.

They had been in the uninhabited and unfriendly wilderness –

GOD led them through.

They had been in the barren and desolate desert –

GOD led them through.

They had been in the deep dark pit –

GOD led them through.

They had been thirsting in the land of drought –

GOD led them through.

They had been in the darkness of the shadow of death –

GOD led them through.

What else did Jeremiah have to say to the people?

*He told them to move forward with their lives.

*He told them to pray for the nation that had enslaved them.

*He told them there was no time or place to stop.

We do not have to stay in a difficult place forever –

GOD will lead us through.

We do not have to pass through the difficult place alone –

GOD will lead us through.

I do not know your circumstance –

But I do know –

GOD will lead you through.

Where have we been?

We have been with God –

And God has been with us.

We need to trust in the Lord with all our heart –

And lean not unto our own understanding.