**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 Beth! Not only are you a blessing to your family, you are a blessing to the world! Thank you for sharing your love of Jesus with all of us. I continue to learn and grow from your teachings. May God continue to bless you!
Happy birthday, Beth!
I can’t thank the Lord and you enough for all of the spiritual growth your ministry has brought to my life. Thank you for being His faithful servant! I hope your birthday was wonderful.
Beth,
Your Bible studies were what kept me solid and walking with The Lord in college. His words, through you, were life changing! Thank you! Happy Birthday!!
Happy birthday Beth!! Reading Breaking Free now. Your books encourage me grow my excitement in learning more about the Lord and growing my relationship with Him.
You Rock!
Happy Birthday Beth, you are an inspiration and teacher like no other. Thank you for being such a blessing to women near and far, Maggie in Montana
Happy Birthday Beth! And Thank You Melissa for doing this in her honor. She has encouraged, inspired and uplifted a generation of women in the battle and in the journey! A moment in time to return the blessing with just a thank you, and May God Shower your heart with affection from all of us but mostly from HIM!
Hope your day is grand !❤️
Happy Birthday! Attended LIVING PROOF LIVE TAMPA this past weekend and was blessed beyond words! Travis and gang led us in the most victorious version of VICTORY IN JESUS ever complete with Jerry Lee Lewis-style keyboards and some wonderful worship! What a gift God has given you and thank you (and Him) for sharing so much of yourself while teaching us great Truth.
Happy happy birthday Beth! So thankful for your teachings that God has laid on your heart to share with all of us!!!
Happy Birthday to a lady sent from God to bless so many other ladies in this world!
Happy Birthday, Beth! You have blessed my life and I pray yours will be richly blessed this year.
Happy birthday Beth!!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for teaching me that bible study is exciting and can be an adventure!!!
Happy birthday, Beth! I was able to sing happy birthday to you in Tampa this last weekend. It was the most REwarding conference!! I no longer call myself Mother Of A Troubled Son but Miracle Mom! Thank you for the Bible Studies and sharing your life. God has worked through you to teach me so much. I am wishing you many blessings and lots of joy today and in your new year!
Happiest Birthday Beth! You are such an inspiration to me and numerous others for so many years! I hope that you have an amazing day with your family! Thank you for loving Jesus and teaching his Word to so many people! Thank you for being real and being so honest! I don’t know you personally, but if I could choose to have coffee with one “famous” person, it would be you! I love you as a sister in Christ!! (P.S. It’s my Mother in laws birthday too! 2 awesome ladies!) God Bless you and your family! ☕️
Love,
Dana Alexander
Woodward Oklahoma
Happy Birthday from Tampa, Florida! It was a pleasure to have more sunshine in the Sunshine State!
I pray you have the happiest birthday ever!!! And I thank you for your constant excitement and encouragement you give us Siestas!! Much love!
Happy Birthday Beth. I was just at the Living Proof Live in Tampa and really enjoyed it! God spoke so much to me. Thanks for sharing this post Melissa and for sharing your Mom with us all, she sure is special!
Happy Birthday Beth. You are such a blessing to so many.
Happy Birthday! Thanks for sharing yourself and God’s Word to women all over the world!
Happy Birthday to the earthly vessel that moved me from religion to relationship with my Saviour.
Happy birthday Beth! You will never know how much you have inspired me in my walk with Christ. Have a wonderful day
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for your leadership. Thank you to LPM for the give away.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!!!
Happy Birthday!!! I hope it’s just fabulous!
Happy Birthday, Beth! So many people have been blessed by you and the crazy gifts God planted in you! Needless to say, we are all thrilled you were born! 🙂
Happiest of birthday, Beth!!!
Happy birthday to Beth!!
Happy Birthday!
Happy happy birthday!!
Happy birthday Beth! What a blessing you are to so many people. God has used your talents to reach so many people. Isn’t it wonderful having grown daughters. Have a blessed day and year.
Happy Birthday Beth!!!!!!!
Beautifully written! Happy birthday!
Happy Birthday Beth! You have been an inspiration to me throughout the years and I joyfully wish you a Jesus filled day!
Happy Birthday to a dear friend that I’ve never met :). Thanks for obeying God and changing my life along with it!!!
Happy Birthday Beth!! I didn’t realize u were a June baby! I have a June baby as well. He will be 14 on Thursday!! Time goes by way too fast.. God bless you & your ministry! You have helped me grow with Jesus so much the last few years!! You are truly a blessing!! Be encouraged that what you are doing is working!!!! God Bless!
Donna
Happy Birthday!
mrs. Beth
Haapy Birthday!
Thank you so much for teaching me so many, many truths in the Word. I pray you have a great birth week. You should be celebrated you are a true blessing f ok the Father.
Diana C
Happiest of birthdays to someone who had pointed me to Jesus over and over through her studies.
Happy Birthday precious sister! What a blessing you have been to me through the years. God has used you to challenge, comfort and charge me to press forward in all things. We share so many things in common but most importantly our love for Jesus, family and sisterhood in our faith. May the Lord continue to use you mightily as He fills you up to overflowing in His spirit! Love to you and hugs beautiful Beth!! <3
Happiest and most blessed of birthdays to you, Beth, who has blessed me so much!!
Happy Birthday, Beth!!! May your birthday week be filled with love and laughter!
Love you Beth! You have touched my life and cause spiritual growth like never before. I love the Bible Studies you write. ..and you’re research. Thank you for pouring out your life into ours!
Happy Happy Birthday! May your day be filled with blessings galore! Thank you for sharing God’s word with us! Such a precious treasure 🙂
Happy Birthday, Beth! Your Bible studies are my absolute favorites and I wait for the new ones to come out! Love, love them and how they prod me to go deeper!
Happy birthday! !!
Happy birthday Beth!! Thank you for being such a great spiritual leader.
Happy Birthday Beth. May God bless you as you are a blessing to so many others.
Happy Birthday Beth. I hope it is filled with as much joy and blessings as you have given to me and others.
Happy Birthday Beth! I hope you have a great say! I just started your Breath study at church. Looking forward to doing it.
Happy Birthday to my absolute favorite Bible teacher! You have spoken life into my soul and into my walk with The Lord in ways I cannot articulate. Thank you for being obedient to the call Jesus has placed on your life!