**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
Happiest of birthdays from one June baby to another;and,to a woman of God in whom I call “the mentor I never knew”.
Happiest of birthdays, Beth! You have been a true spiritual mother to me.
Happy birthday!!
Miss Beth,
I did my first Bible Study with one of your studies. I love how you have surrender your life to Jesus and how you have blessed others with what you have learned through His word. Happy birthday Miss Beth and I pray that you continue to feel Gods abundant blessings on this very special day!!!
Happy Birthday Beth!
Beth,
Could anyone say it better? “Her presence still shifts the atmosphere.”
Happy birthday to you, sweet sister!
W
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Beth! You have been such a great blessing to me in my walk with Jesus. Your bible studies fill my bookshelf and the words you have written are such a great reminder of how great God is and His love for me….wishing you the best birthday!! Hope your day is so wonderful 🙂
Happy Birthday to a woman who has revolutionized how women study His word. It is a privilege to learn from you.
Happy Birthday Beth! You are an amazing woman, mother, wife & grandmother. I love that God is in the center of all that you do. I have done many of your bible studies, but nothing compares to listening to you live. I was in awe when I saw you @ living proof live & wanted to take you home with me. Have an amazing day & may God’s richest blessings continue to cover you.
Happy Birthday Beth! So thankful for your influence as a teacher in my life. Inspiring me to do the same.
Beth,
Happy Birthday,
Keep loving on Jesus and us. Life is tough but love like He gives and you give is stronger. Make you get a good dose of strong love today!!!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for all your hard work in producing excellent, understandable & fun Bible studies that make us all want to do better. Your DVDs are always a highlight on many a Wednesday morning!
I am extremely grateful to God for so many things, salvation being first and foremost. God’s love and sacrifice of His Son reigns high on my thankful list. My daughter is right up there as well along with my Christian parents.
I am also extremely thankful for your willingness to be obedient in your walk with God and delivering such insight to the world.
Enough said. Except, Happy Birthday.
Vicki Clanton
God’s Blessings this birthday and year as you continue to serve Him and make Him Known!
Happiest of Birthdays and many blessings to a woman who has dared to follow after Christ and make the rest of us anxious to have our own journey with Him too!
God bless you.
Birthday Blessings, Beth!! Among all your accomplishments, you have raised awesome daughters!!! And should you be struggling a bit being one YEAR older, I want to remind you that today you are really only DAY older than yesterday!! From someone who has a few years on you!! 🙂
Happy birthday, Beth!!! Thanks for all the Tues. night Bible studies! Will forever be thankful for that time.
Happy Birthday Beth.
Your story of combing the man’s hair on the plane has stuck with me all my life and I hope I am paying enough attention to have the chance to step into people’s moments like this.
Jesse
Love everything about your teaching and sweet spirit. Blessings on your birthday and every other day this year!
Happy Birthday Beth! You will never know how much God has used you to impact my life. I have laughed, cried and praised Jesus with you since I was 16 years old. We’re going on a 13 year friendship that only people in the body have Christ can have! I’ve never met you but God has used you to speak right to my heart and circumstances time and time again. I feel like we’re old friends. Thank you for being faithful to Christ and being an example. I’ll invite you over for coffee and tell you more on the other side of the clouds! I hope you had a wonderful day with your family.
Sarah
happy birthday Beth. So thankful for who are and for living proof the difference they have made in my life.
Blessings, beautiful Beth! May the Lord bless you and keep you on this your day of birth, celebrated in the midst of a storm.
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to yooooou,
Happy birthday dear beeeeeeth,
Happy birthday to yooooooooou!!!
You’re life and work has blessed so many. Celebrating you today, by thanking God for his work in your life.
God Bless you Birthday Girl!
Happy Birthday, Beth! You do being quite an array of light and warmth to my personal bible study! Thanks for your dedication, obedience and laughter through the years….
Happiest of Birthdays Beth!
Thank you for being a bold leader of God’s word
Happy Birthday Beth! What a grateful daughter you have. I immensely enjoy your teaching and have learned so much from you. The Lord is using you in ways you don’t even know. 🙂
Happy Birthday Beth!!!! You have been such a blessing in my life. Thank you for teaching me how to go deeper into scripture and to fall in love with it. May your birthday be as beautiful as you are in spirit. God bless you and your family.
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for being the blessing you have been to so many, and letting God work through you.
I have listened to, read and enjoyed your Mother more than words can express. I remember seeing her at a day long ladies Bible study (from a satellite feed) and my first thought was that I would adore having her as my friend. Her passion for the Word, her skill at making God’s word come alive, her “Y’all”s and her love and humor made me want to hop in my car, drive from the deserts of Ca. to wherever she was at and just hug on her. What an encouraging, warm, passionate advocate for Christ is she! I just love her to pieces and feel blessed to have read and listened to her for many years now. Happy Birthday Beth, you are a blessing to so many and I am fortunate to be one of those that you have had a profound impact on!
Stephanie Oleson
Happy Birthday, Beth! Many blessings to you!
Happy Birthday Beth. You are my best friend though I have never meet you I feel like I know you. Love your humor and all that you share with us. Thank you for all you do to bring us closer to Jesus, love doing your studies with my sisters in Christ we laugh we cry healing takes place as we grow together
Thank You
I would love to have a mom like yours. Someone to talk about the Lord with & draw from all her wisdom & to see faith lived out loud. I pray to be that kind of mom to my daughters & sons. God Bless & Happy Birthday <3
A very happy birthday, and many to come!
Happiest of birthdays to you, Beth! Thanks for sharing your love of God and His Word with such passion and creativity! Your life is a blessing to many and I celebrate you!
Happy Birthday!! I pray God blesses you with His ABUNDANT blessings! More than your barns can hold. 😉
Happiest of birthdays to a special lady!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for daily choosing Jesus…Emptying yourself…pouring Christ out to others. I know it’s not easy and you are not perfect, but again, thank you for choosing.
Blessings on your birthday!
Happy Birthday! Have loved every Bible study you have done! You are an inspiration to women, may God bless you with many more years!
Feliz Cumpleanos!!!!! 🙂 Happy Birthday!!! I hope you get gifts just as lovely as you’re giving away, for your birthday.
Happy birthday to a woman whose influence has changed not only my life, but the lives of thousands. Thank you for faithfully living out your passion for Jesus and the Word. I love you, Beth!
May God continue to shine through you. Happy Birthday!!!
Happy birthday Mrs. Beth we love you! Melissa and Amanda thank you for sharing your beautiful mother with the world. Gods blessings on your family xoxoxo
Happy birthday! I hope it is wonderful!
Hoping it isn’t to late to wish my wonderful Siesta Momma “Happy Birthday”. Thank you for all you do and the drive to keep pushing and encouraging more and more woman like me to Jesus every day!
Happy Birthday beautiful lady. You have been such an inspiration to me, your bible studies have blessed so many women in my life. May God continue to bless you with all the many gifts he has given you.
Um…wow! What a tribute! And what a woman. I am so inspired by you, Beth, and wish you a happy, happy celebration of your birth! We are so glad you were born!