**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!
Happiest of birthdays to a woman of God….so obviously dearly loved by her family….her God….her students….thank you for sharing all that God has downloaded into you with all of us! You have blessed me beyond measure with your Bible studies, your honesty, your love for God and the body of Christ as a whole….you love your family like I love mine…we are blessed!! As I pray birthday blessings over you, will you please pray healing prayers over me (my bday was June 12th!) All God’s love to you and yours, Mia Callahan
Happy Birthday to an amazing woman who inspires so many people to live and love the way God created us to live and love! Thank you for your selfless devotion and dedication in being a true vessel of our Heavenly Father! And a special thank you to your family for sharing you with all of us! Hope you’ve had a very special birthday!
Happy Birthday Beth! Thank you for serving me and countless other women. Your labor and faithfulness have greatly contributed to my growth in the Lord. I see glimpses of Him when I look at you. Press on.
Happy Birthday!!!! So exciting to celebrate life!!! A life with family is best, question: is it a truth or dare day??? Thanks for your love to your sisters in Christ.
Many blessings,
Elizabeth
Happy Burthday, Beth! Thank you for how much you have given to us all with your ministry!
Happy Birthday Beth!
Thanks for being such a wonderful inspiration to multitudes. Blessings!
Happiest of Birthdays to you Beth! You have been such a wonderful inspiration to me in my walk with our Precious Lord and Savior. I value every study I’ve done of yours, many of them. I pray God’s continued, richest blessings to you and your beautiful family.
Love,
Judy
Happy Birthday Beth! What a lovely tribute from your daughter. Such a testimony of your relationship with her and your whole family.
Blessings,
Angie
The happiest of birthdays to you Beth! I’m so grateful for the privilege of studying God’s Word with you first in my 20s, then 30s and now my 40s. May God continue using you mightily for Him!
Happy birthday, Beth! What a blessing even to know you from a distance. You are a mighty and influential example in my journey of what it looks like to live this life surrendered and in full on, steady, hot pursuit of our precious Jesus. Thank you for the encouragement and strength, and for always, always pointing to Him,
Sounds like you got the best birthday gift ever… I’m sure your heart is full! I know when Jesus imagined creating you he had to smile big with joy. Thanks for sharing your life with us!
Happy birthday, Beth! Some of the most blessed learning I have ever had had been under your care. Thankful for your love for the Lord, your family, and others.
Birthday Blessings to you….
Happy Birthday Beth! Your studies are such a blessing! Thank you!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Hope you have a wonderful day being celebrated. Thank you so much for your amazing writing and bible studies that I have loved for the past 15 years and have helped me fall in love with our amazing God over and over again and taught me so much! I have laughed with you and cried with you through many seasons and many studies. I pray that your coming year will be full of His blessings!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for allowing the Lord Jesus to use you to bless and help the rest of us grow in Him!
Love, Ann
Happy Birthday, Beth! God’s blessings to you on your special day!
Beth, although I am older than you, I will never be wiser!!! What an amazing influence you are in my walk with Jesus, evidenced by the numerous times your name appears on books I own! Happiest of happy birthdays!
Happy Birthday Beth!. I have been in a few of your bible studies in the past few years. You have given much insight to the Bible and I appreciate your funny stories. Some I can even relate to. You are a true and sincere blessing!
Happy, happy birthday to your Mom! You’re so blessed to still have your mother here on earth with you. I’m nearly 69 and I suppose it won’t matter how old I get to be – I’ll always miss my Mom. blessings, marlene
Happy Birthday Beth! I cannot even begin to tell you how your studies, life story & overall love of the Lord have shaped my life! Have an extremely blessed and loved-filled birthday!
Happiest of birthdays, Beth!
Happy happy birthday from one June baby to another (my bd was yesterday-I am thrilled to know yours is the day after) But I am more thrilled for all I have learned through your precious care of God’s Word- and sharing it with so many of us! I have gone through regular life, cancer and the loss through death of a best friend- your studies have been poignant in each of those seasons of life. Happy birthday dear sister as you continue to minister and glorify Him and carry on His good work!!
Happy Birthday Beth!!! What a blessing you have been to so many. Thank you for sharing God’s love.
Happy Birthday! You’re such an inspirational person in my faith walk with Jesus. I hope you enjoyed your day!
Happy Birthday!!
Have a very happy birthday! I consider you one of my mentors in the faith and the reason I wake up early to spend time with my Savior every morning. God Bless you each day of the coming year.
Dawn, West Monroe, LA
Happy Birthday Beth & many more!!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday, dear Beth,
Happy Birthday to you!
Love, just ONE of your many, many Sisters in Christ {glasses emoticon}
Happy Birthday Beth! Hope your day is blessed!
Happy Birthday!!!!!!!
Happy Birthday Beth- you have created a legacy for your own daughters and for the spiritual sisters in Christ you have made along your journey. After doing Children of the Day last year God laid it on my heart to facilitate the same study in my neighborhood in Dec. I invited my unbelieving but seeking 34 yo sister. She sure added some spunk to the “we’s” of our group. Last month she asked me to help her pick out a bible at Barnes and Noble and then last week she came to church for the very first time. It thrilled me when she asked me to help her find Philippians as she frantically brushed through pages. Thank you for writing words that inspire women to want to know more of our Savior. God bless and I pray I will see the day soon when my sister becomes a daughter of the King!
Happy Birthday! The post that I just finished from your daughter warmed my heart as I am sure it did yours as well. You (with help of course) have raised a loving lady and I can just hear you and the happiness that brings. So, I do want to wish you the happiest of birthdays but i know from my own momma heart that every word that Melissa typed for her momma is the best most precious gift every momma dreams.
Happy Birthday, Beth!
Happy Birthday!
So sweet, Beth! Happy Birthday! You are a treasure to us all!
Happy, happy birthday Beth!! I am very thankful for the anointing on your life and ministry. I have grown spiritually through many of your studies. And, a result I have been a stronger Christian and a lover of God’s Word. Thank you, Beth. The best is yet to come for you. With much love and with God’s blessings, Judy
Happy Birthday, Beth! Your love of God’s Word helps me to light the fire of my own desire to know Him more. Happiest of days to you!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Thank you for allowing God to use you in such powerful, loving ways. You have blessed my life.
We “almost” share a birthday – well a few years difference.
I turn 63 tomorrow and want to be willing to be used by God in whatever ways He sees fit. Enjoy all the wonderful things written about you. We are celebrating God’s gift to us – YOU!
Happy Birthday, Beth! Your studies in community have shaped my first understandings of Christ as a teenager. Thank you.
Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!
Happy, Happy Birthday, Beth. In a sense, you have been a Momma to all of us and we, your daughters worldwide, all celebrate your birthday with you. My mother’s birthday is also in June — June 28th. She will be 80. I am making the trek across the country to celebrate it with her. As I do, I will be thinking of you as well. Thank you for giving of yourself, for obeying God, and blessing all His children with His Word. We love you! — Diane
it’s ok if I’m too late for the drawing. 🙂 I just saw the post & wanted to wish Beth such a happy birthday WEEK! one day is not enough to celebrate one who has blessed so many. love to you from Arkansas!
Wishing you the most happiest of birthdays!
Happy Birthday to one of my favorite mentors! My life is changed because if how you’ve allowed Him to use you!! It’s s blessed thing! Thank you!!!
Happy Birthday, thanks so much for your life changing Bible studies
Happy Birthday!!!! God has used you in such a mighty way. The blog post where you described we are women enough – because of Jesus – had a huge impact on me! Thank you for being Spirit filled and sharing that with us. You wear Jesus well my Sister!! Much love!!!!
Happy Birthday Beth! You have made such a huge impact in my life, and you have lit the flame of passion for Jesus and the Bible more than one time. You are a great role model and hero in how God has transformed your life. You give me hope!