**UPDATE**
Congratulations to the winners of the birthday drawing! Your names are posted below. Watch your inbox for an email from Living Proof later today so that we can get you your gift!
BONUS: The wonderful people at AMG Publishers have extended a 50% discount to any of you who would like to order a Key Word Study Bible! Click here to get more information, or to order your Bible. AMG Publishers
Winners:
#523 – Carole Germain #4348 – Karen Quinn
#2282 – Merissa G. #4399 – Anna Bunch
#2321 – Marilyn Riley #4430 – Nancy Beeey
#2756 – Merissa Ury #4813 – Myrlene Darnell
#2876 – Beth Longar #5648 – Nan Smith
#3937 – Dani Turner #5798 – Rachel C.
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A few nights ago I walked my buck wild new puppy around my neighborhood, watched the sun sink deep down into the horizon, and then settled in back at home. I flipped on my favorite season of the West Wing and I ate an entire bag of tortilla chips and ¾ a jar of my favorite salsa for dinner. What is it they say again? The apple does not fall far from the tree. Or something like that?
You see when we were growing up Mom would throw us kids in the back of Brontosaurus the station wagon and haul us halfway across the city to her old favorite Tex-Mex joint. She ordered a pint of salsa and a gigantic grease-stained brown paper bag of tortilla chips for take-out and she would eat all of this and only this for her dinner. Her own dinner. I can’t remember what we kids even ate, or if she fed us at all. I’m only kidding about that last part.
My mom was born at high noon in a fierce thunderstorm, my grandfather said. Her presence still shifts the atmosphere. A few weeks ago Mom left for a week in the hill country for a time of writing and solitude. The second she got back home, I loaded up my stuff and headed out to spend a night with she and my Dad. You see, for me, going to hang out with my parents isn’t really like going to hang out with the parents. Far from duty, it’s one of my favorite things to do. We caught up on all the life stuff that night. And then in the morning we drank our coffee in our pajamas and by 8:30 a.m. at the latest we had already covered topics such as the theology in Ephesians, the New Testament canon, the Holy Spirit’s role in the interpretation of Scripture, and the Festal Letter of Athanasius.
I have to say, this woman utterly dazzles me. She is the sweetest in the land. She is gracious and sanguine and loving and kind, no doubt, but she is serious and intense and focused and courageous. She has opinions and perspective and boldness and wisdom from the ground like no other. For all her awesomeness she is not self-righteous or squeamish, and God knows I have pushed her limits.
Mom is deeply committed to our family and I’ve always known that full well but I’ve also seen that she’s preoccupied with something a whole lot bigger than us. Probably the most important thing I have learned from her is that being caught up in Jesus and what He is doing in the world is everything. It is the ultimate priority and a family committed to His work in the world will get the privilege of making sacrifices together.
Over the past few years in my own journey I found myself in an unknown place, a place where a heart could break deeper and wider and in more directions than I could have imagined possible. Mom has walked alongside me on this road further than any human could be expected to walk with another. She would have had good reasons to just sit out a while and catch her breath. But she never left my side. The road has been bumpy but also tedious and repetitive. When the landscape didn’t seem to change for a long, long time, she kept plodding along with me, carrying my burdens and helping me shoulder the grief that felt too much to bear.
Mom is tender and she is strong and she is not afraid to look pain and grief and loss dead in the eye. Even more, she is daring enough to hope against hope. To see in others, even me, the beginnings of life and growth and health and wholeness where others might only see brokenness and death. She has shined the light of Jesus on me more times than I can count.
She can fry a chicken and whip up mashed potatoes and gravy with the best of the Southern cooks. Her pleasures are simple: the reading of books, sitting on the front porch, walking her dogs in the woods, eating dinner with my Dad, playing games on the floor with her grandkids, and drinking tea with Amanda and me. But make no mistake she is wicked smart and complex and multifaceted. She is so much more than even the best caricature of her could ever hope to be.
I love her.
Yes, I love her. If one photo could capture the light and color she brings to my world, this is it:
It is my joy and honor to be her daughter and also to work for her at Living Proof. This blog giveaway is just one of many ways I celebrate her beautiful life today. The first three gifts are from Living Proof and the last two gifts are personal gifts from me.
First and foremost, we are giving away eight Key Word Study Bibles. My mom gave me one of these Bibles many years ago. It was one of the first Bibles I ever really remember being excited about. It helped me become familiar with various Greek and Hebrew words before I ever took a Greek or Hebrew reading class. Every time I read it I was reminded that the Scriptures we hold in our hands in English are a translation. Remembering this often is a good thing and will take a person a long way in the study of the Bible, I think.
![IMG_2993[4]](https://blog.lproof.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/IMG_29934.jpg)
Second, we are giving away an assortment of several pounds of favorite Houston coffee beans. My mom is a serious coffee drinker, so this is just an obvious addition. This package will include but not be limited to one of my current favorites:
Third, we are giving away an arrangement of fresh flowers Mom loves. And, really, who wouldn’t like these?
Fourth, we are giving away a crossbody saddlebag. Mom and I both carry versions of this crossbody bag over and over again until one breaks and we have to buy another one.
Fifth and finally, we are giving away a small bottle of Flowerbomb. Mom wears lots of different perfumes, but she most often travels with this one.
So, if you’re interested in our giveaway please do pop on and say “Happy Birthday” and show Mom some love. Your comment becomes your entry into our random drawing. Comments will officially close 24 hours after the post is published, and please only one comment per person. The names of our winners will be posted at the top of this post at some point on Thursday.
I hope you all are happy and well.
And, Mom, I love you!
The best is yet to come,
Melissa
Happy Birthday. Thanks for sharing your love for our Lord with me!
Happy birthday Beth!Your Bible studies have had such an impact on my life. They have challenged and changed me. Thanks for being a mentor.
Happy Birthday blessings to you!
happy happy bday!
It was a joy to see you in Tampa this past weekend!
May the year ahead be a great one!
Happy Birthday, Mrs. Moore! Your ministry has impacted my walk.
Wishing you a Happy Birthday, filled with His love and joy, surrounded by all you love.
Happy Birthday Beth I hope your day is over flowing in blessings. You are such a wonderful teacher your bible studies have opened my eyes . I have learned so much from you dear sister in Christ.
Happy birthday, Beth! Hope you have a wonderful day! Thank you for following Jesus and writing Bible studies that encourage us to follow Him as well! Looking over Believing God workbook last night to send encouragement to a hurting friend! Have a great birthday!
Happy birthday, Beth! What a force you are for the kingdom! Thank you for turning back and cheering us younger women on!!!
Happiest of days Beth Moore. Was a pleasure meeting you at LPL Tampa. You’ll never know how much God used you to bring me back to Jesus & by doing so, brought my husband & son to receive Jesus, a multitude of medical miracles occurred over my little daughter & God called me into ministry. … all in a 4yr period. There are tons more of divine moments & if not on earth, maybe at the grandest banquet table of all, I’ll get to tell you one day. Thanks for being surrendered & obedient in this generational season. I have so much love for you, woman & sister chosen by God!
Happy Birthday Beth….although we have not met yet, I consider you one of my dearest friends, because you have spoken so much truth into my life ❤️
Happy Birthday Beth! An inspiration to many!
Happy Birthday Beth!! Thank you for being amazing just the way God made you.
Happy Birthday Beth. You have brought much joy in Christ to many. Pray you have a wonderful day with friends and family.
Happy Birthday!!
Happy birthday, dear friend. Although we’ve never met before, after doing 8 of your bible studies, I feel we are good friends. I hope you have a wonderful day.
Happy birthday Beth, thank you for blessing me with your amazing teachings.
Hope you have a wonderful birthday Beth! May you be blessed beyond measure.
Happy Birthday Beth!
Happy Birthday Lady! You changed my life! Thank you for all you do for us out here! XXX
Happy Happy Birthday Beth! I share the same birth year with you, the same shoe size, love for coffee but especially love for God’s Word. I praise God for you allowing him to use your life for His Glory.
Happy Birthday!!!!!
Happy birthday! I’m thankful for how God has used you in my life.
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for sharing your walk with God with us. Have a blessed day.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET DAUGHTER OF THE KING!!! THE LORD HAS BLESSED MY SOCKS OFF THROUGH YOU TEACHINGS!!! I HAVE DONE ALL YOUR STUDY BOOKS. I APPRECIATE YOU.!!! LOVE YA
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…..james 1:17. You are a gift to all of us, Beth! Happy Birthday. So thankful for you
Happy birthday dear friend!
Happy Birthday
Thank you for faithfully sharing God’s goodness in your life.
Thank you for being transparent.
Thank you for being an example of Hebrews – encouraging myself and many others to love and good deeds,.
A blessed and very happy birthday to the women that God has anointed for such a time as this and oh how grateful I am. Blessings to you and yours.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
May your day be filled with joy and may you be showered with blessings.
Thank you for being faithful to the call on your life. Your life has been such a HUGE blessing for the Kingdom.
May God’s peace, health and long life be yours always.
Diana
Happy Birthday Beth.
Happy birthday Beth! Thank you for your graciousness and love for others and your big love for Christ. And for obedience that may not always be easy. You’ve touched countless lives and lifted spirits that desperately needed lifting. Mine included many times. I love you!
Happy, Happy Birthday, Beth!! I hope your day is fabulous! What a beautiful tribute from your daughter. I love hearing all the stories about your family. My kids and husband just celebrated me on my birthday last week. I pray you feel as celebrated by your family as I did by mine! Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for your wonderful ministry. You are such a blessing.
Happy birthday, Beth! God has really used you and still uses you! God’s love and prayers to you & Living Proof!
Happy birthday Beth! Hope your day is full of joy thank you for blessing all of our lives.
What a wonderful tribute to your mom, Melissa. For those of us who don’t know her personally (but feel like we do), the insite on her world is precious. Happy birthday Beth!! May the Lord shine His light on you, and through you!
Birthday wishes from Tampa. We are still basking in the grace of the Lord’s presence from this weekend!!What a celebration we experienced!!
Birthday Blessings to you dear Beth!
A very happy birthday! I’ve been so blessed by your ministry. Thank you! May the next year be amazing.
Happy Birthday, Beth! Your ministry has been such a blessing to my life!
Thank you!!
You have taught this new Christian about Jesus, and been my role model for what a blessing it is to be in Jesus’s family. Blessings to you this day and always ☺️
This is the sweetest post. Loved every bit of it. Happy birthday, Miss Beth! So thankful for you and inspired by your love for Jesus and others. Hope you have a terrific day today!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for your faithful example, your authenticity and your exuberant love of the Lord. Your ministry has made me yearn for and seek more of Him. Scripture memory and Bible study have changed my life forever. Thank you for allowing so many of us to join you in your journey of believing God. You encourage me.
Happiest of birthdays to you Beth! Your studies have blessed me emensely.
Happy, happy, happy Birthday! What a beautiful post about your mama – a true testimony of the woman she is and exactly how I feel about my own. Many blessings to Beth and family on this beautiful summer day.
Happy Birthday! You are truly a spiritual momma to so many of us! One day we will have coffee together in the celestial coffee shop in the sky and I’ll tell you the stories of how you helped save my life! You have picked me up more times than you can imagine. I praise God for creating you!
Birthday Blessings to a wonderful woman! Enjoy your day celebrating YOU!
Happy birthday to a beautiful and special lady. You age gracefully!
Happy Birthday to one of the most motivational speakers that I know. I hope you have a fun-filled, fabulous day with many smiles and blessings! Thank you for being such an inspiration to so many women (and men)!