She was born in 1669 and died in 1742. She was one of 25 children. Her father was a minister, who in 1662, was one of 2000 ministers who refused to follow the Act of Uniformity. ( An act decreeing all religious leaders follow the teaching of the Church of England) So, she came from a good, strong, and religious family. Because of her upbringing, she is said to have displayed "a theological knowledge superior to that of many ministers of that day." AWESOME!She married Samuel Wesley, also a minister and writer. They had a tough time in life as Samuel was often indebted to a number of people. He borrowed money to furnish his rectory and purchase farm equipment; and the interest and repayments were a burden their entire lives. She gave birth to 19 children, two being John and Charles Wesley who would change the world with their ministries! Samuel, with his debts and their increasing family, became deeply depressed leading him to abandon his family and his congregation for an entire year. At the end of that year, their home burned down and he returned to rebuild. In all of this: Susanna remained strong and dedicated to the Lord and her family. Talk about living Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
She educated them, even her girls which was not customary at the time, teaching them to read, write "and reason". But above, all she taught her children to love God. She is quoted as saying "'tis no small honour to be entrusted with the care of so many souls." She counted it an HONOR to have these children become children of God. Each of her children's formal educations began at age five, though she began teaching them much earlier that: "there was a Supreme Being to whom their gratitude and homage must be reverently rendered." She taught dependence upon God. And when she could not find textbooks that met her needs in teaching, she wrote her own. I LOVE HER TENACITY!
Her children's daily routine was rigorous. She required them to study 3 hours in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon 6 days a week. And at no slow pace did she teach, most of her children learned the alphabet on their first day of school. She was a disciplinarian, mother, and teacher and is called the "Mother of Methodism". That foundation is how John and Charles' lives began the Methodist Church. Her children were always put into a regular method of living based on their ages and capabilities. She knew that teaching them early was being a little tough. However, she felt that was the true meaning of love. She considered parents who allowed bad habits were being cruel to their children.
Even in the little things, she was disciplined. She put her small children to bed awake after their baths, teaching them to soothe themselves. It may seem harsh, but with no help from her husband and so many children it wasn't just her way of doing things it was a necessity. She chastised as needed and let other childhood "follies" go; but never willful disobedience. This went a long way in not only having her children obey their parents, but also God. When Samuel was home, he too took part in teaching his sons Greek, Latin and classical literature to prepare them for boarding schools. After a second fire, some of the children had to live with friends and relatives while the home was being rebuilt. Susanna later wrote, " they were left at full liberty to run abroad and play with any children good or bad. They learned neglect of the Sabbath, and got knowledge of bad things. Which were not reformed without difficulties." I love this! John and Charles were in Oxford at this time and were so 'methodical' in their studies that their classmates deemed them "Methodists" and they began a group so called. Her example did not go unnoticed to John and Charles. Her devotional writings are a beautiful insight into her heart and mind, such as after the loss of two homes to fire and the loss 9 of her 19 children: "Help me, O Lord, to make a true use of all disappointments and calamities in this life, in such a way that they may unite my heart more closely with thee."
Living in a small town, being confined to home teaching, and their financial status led to loneliness. She once wrote: "Enable me to live so as to deserve a friend, and if I never have one on earth, be Thou my friend, for in having Thee I shall have all that is dear and valuable in friendship." Even with her sons away at schools, she continued to teach them in long letters regarding things such as alcohol and girls, and love and passion. Samuel also wrote his sons as well, mostly about how he valued his wife and the mother she was to them. He desired them to "reverence and love her as much as you will in her age." But his words are confusing because it is known he far valued his sons, leaving his wife and daughters to live in poverty! But none the less, his sons got the message long before Samuel's words by the love from their mother. Susanna's daughters loved her dearly and resented their father. He was not a great man. When he died, he did so in debt and those to whom he owed money pressured her. (one even had her arrested) But her sons stepped in with financial help. And after returning from America, John and Charles Wesley famously underwent the great spiritual transformation coming to understand that salvation was not by works but of faith. Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
In 1738 John was saved, and later Charles. Salvation led Charles to write his famous hymn, "And Can It Be". It is one of the most popular of the SIX THOUSAND he wrote. See, few mothers influence the world so greatly as Susanna Wesley. John not only founded the Methodist movement, but in doing so it led to the abolition of the slave trade, child labor laws, cruelty to animals, and caring for the poor and suffering. Methodist number 80 million around the world not to mention their hospitals, colleges, and orphanages. THINK ABOUT THAT! God used a mother in England, in a tiny town, with great sufferings, stricken with loneliness and poverty to raise children who changed our world even today. Each of her children followed God, 100% of them....there is something to be said for a mother who trusts in God. A mother who does not desire to be a friend but a teacher and guide. A woman despite suffering in life and love, is not selfish. A woman who is faithful to God until the day she dies. That is Susanna Wesley, she makes me wish I could go back and do it over again. Eric Metaxas' last line in his bio of Susanna says, "The world in which we live owes much of the goodness in it to her life." AmenNote: Charles also wrote: "Hark the Herald Angels Sing", and "Christ the Lord is Risen Today".
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