**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, Happy Birthday Beth! What a blessing this post is to read, so I can only imagine the joy that fills your heart when you read it. I have had the joy of hearing you in person. May God continue to bless you and your family as you celebrate another year.
Happy Birthday Miss Beth!! Thank you for being such a light and so authentic in a world that truly needs it! You have been such a blessing to me and I’m so grateful for your obedience to the kingdom of God! Keep shining! I love you and I hope that you have the MOST AMAZING birthday ever!!!
Wow, what a legacy! Happy Birthday, Beth, and a heartfelt thank you for the ways you have taught and ministered to me and so many more!
Happy birthday, Beth!! Wishing you countless blessings and buckets of love! ♡kris
Happy Birthday Beth. A day set apart from all the rest to celebrate YOU!! Beat day of the year for you on the blog reading all of the birthday greetings! Thanks for always pointing us to Jesus, the one and only. That simple statement covers it all…every bible study you have written or lecture you have spoken. You are a faithful servant of the most high King! What I know for sure is that the LORD is faithful!! Love you! Jan i recently moved to California 6 days ago from Iowa!!!
Happy Birthday, Beth!!! Your love for God’s Word is contagious!! Thank you and may Father richly bless you today!
Dear Beth,
From one Miracle girl to another, I think you ROCK!!
I’m so grateful to have a big sister in Christ like you!!
I pray you have an Amazing Birthday and may our Father
continue to pour out His spirit upon you!!
Be Blessed in Jesus,
Tonya Roundtree 🙂
Happy Birthday Beth! Enjoy your special day!
Happy Birthday Beth. So glad you’re able to spend time with your girls…my kids all live 8+ hrs away.
thanks for all you do!!
Cynthia
Wishing you much joy and many blessings–you have given both to me. Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Beth! I truly Hope that God bestows many gifts on u, not just on ur Birthday but everyday. You are a true gift that God has given the World. Through your studies my mom & me have strengthened our Faith and our relationship. It was such a Blessing to attend your Living Proof Live in Atlantic City this year with my mom & many Church members. You lit a spark under us & the flame is still burning.
Happy Birthday, Beth! Blessings!
Happy Birthday Beth!! Thank you for showing me Jesus…He looks beautiful on you!!
Happy birthday! What a blessing you have been to my life through your ministry!!
Happy, Happy Birthday, Beth. Thank-you for being a woman of the Word. You have taught me so very much, and I am forever grateful.
Dear Beth, you are a blessing to so many. May you be soo blessed around this your birthday. Thank you for sharing you with those around you.
happy birthday!!
happy birthday, Beth. I went to Living Proof in Tampa last weekend and loved every minute of it!! Your insight and humor are priceless!! You are awesome!! Pick me! Pick me!!
Ms Beth, I hope you are having a Happy and Blessed Birthday!
Thank you for all you do…I have been greatly blessed through your bible studies, books, devotionals and Wednesdays on Life Today.
Thank you♡♡♡♡
Happy Birthday, Beth! You are a very special woman! May your birthday be filled with sunshine and many blessings from God!
Hope your Birthday is a Happy Day
Happy birthday Beth!) thank you for being such a blessing and inspiration in my life.
Happy birthday dear Beth! My tiny church’s ladies bible study group has laughed ourselves silly at your videos-and cried ourselves out in the next breath. Tomorrow night we finish Esther. And yes it is tough being a woman but it is also so wonderful when we can come together and learn from women like you.
Thank you for your faithfulness to God!
Happy birthday Beth!
I pray that your birthday is filled with lots of love, laughter, Blessings and peace! Thank you for being Jesus’s hands and feet in my life, as well as many other women! You are such a Blessing! Blessings to you on your very special day! Beth S
Happy birthday, Beth. So grateful to God for your gift of discernment and teaching. Your Bible studies have each come at just the right time.
Happy Happy Birthday! I am so happy that God has used you in so many lives, mine included! I pray the Lord Jesus will bless you beyond belief on your birthday and every other day!
Happy Birthday Beth! I hope you know that your example and passion have led me to a greater understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. I am so thankful for you and your obedience to the Word. May Jesus keep you in the palm of His hand always and as long as He wills continue to teach us all. Thank you for every thing Beth –
Happy Birthday Beth!! Hope it is your best one yet.
Happy birthday to Mrs. Moore! If we never meet here, I know we’ll meet there. What a party it will be!
Happy Birthday my Sister In Christ! God bless you!
Happy Birthday, Beth!! So very thankful for your life and ministry!
Happy Birthday, Beth!! You’re an amazing woman and I have so enjoyed your Bible studies at First Baptist of Norfolk, VA. God bless you and your precious family!
Happy Birthday sweet Beth! God Bless you and thank you for blessing me with your studies! Melissa, that was a beautiful tribute!
Wishing a happy, healthy and blessed birthday to you Mrs Beth! Your work has been an anchor in my faith and I could never thank you enough for your obedience and presence in God’s business! Prayers for many many more!
Much love ❤
Happy birthday to the dear woman that taught me how to fall in love with Jesus and let Him be my everything! Beautiful words, Melissa – well done!
Happy birthday, Beth! I am so grateful for your life and the ways that you have encouraged me and so many others to love and trust Christ more and more each day!
Happy birthday dear Beth. There are few women in this world whose lives have impacted mine to the degree that yours has, and I am so grateful for the gift of who you are to so many. Praying down sweet blessings on you today as you and your family celebrate YOU! I’m so glad you were born!
Love,
Cherie Wagner
Happy Birthday Beth! Wish I had creative, perfect words to convey how you have impacted my life. thank you!
Happy birthday Beth! I hope you have a most wonderful day! I too have a daughter named Melissa and she is as sweet as your Melissa sounds. What a wonderful letter she shared with us. God bless!
Happy Birthday Beth! God has used you in such amazing ways! Thank you so much for all your encouragement and wonderful studies of God’s Word!
Happy birthday Beth! Thanks Melissa for sharing about your Mom!
Happy Birthday Beth! I had the privilege of seeing you in Tampa this weekend at LPL(RE is the most beautiful prefix in history!). It had been 11 years since my last LPL. You are more beautiful than ever, inside and out. The worship was so amazing, I thought we were all going to fly away! And, boy, did God have a word for me. re-love. Thank you for giving your all to Jesus. I thank God for you and your ministry. Have a great birthday week! Love you too Melissa!
Happy Birthday, sweet thing!!! You have been such an encouragement in my life. I’ve watched and admired you from afar and prayed often for a passion for God that you exhibit. My prayer is that my daughters will see Jesus is me as your two girls have seen in your life. Thank you for serving Jesus and continually pointing us toward Him. Happiest of birthdays!!!
Happy Birthday to one sweet woman who has touched the lives of so many women across the earth! After every Bible study of yours I do I feel like one of your best girlfriends! 🙂 I have no doubt that you were celebrated in a special way today…because you are so special to so many!
Jaclyn G
What a joy it must be to have a daughter who sees the gifts you have given her over the years! Happy Birthday to one of the most amazing and challenging teachers I’ve had the pleasure of listening to over many years!
Happy birthday
Happy Birthday Beth! You have been such a godly influence in my life. I want to be like you when I grow up! 🙂
A very happy birthday,Beth! I appreciate you so much!
Happy Birthday Beth! God has used you to touch my heart again and again with His word. Right now I am doing Esther, It’s Tough Being a Woman. Wish we could talk about that gal: she has a lot to teach us. May God blessings be upon you and your family.
Dear Beth,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! Blessings to you on this day and always! I’ve so enjoyed completing many of your Bible Studies, as I have learned so much and have grown closer to the Lord through them. My favorite is still, “Jesus, the One and Only.” May the Lord continue to bless you as you follow Him.
Blessings,
Rhonda