A woman of character, strength, and perseverance
‘Who would you like to have dinner with? No matter if the person is dead or alive, who would you want to sit down to chat with?’
You’re probably familiar with this popular question that usually gets asked in interviews.
To me, the answer is clear: Susanna Wesley. Oooh, I admire her so much! How is it that her name may not ring a bell in your head? Well, maybe you’ve heard of her famous sons John and Charles Wesley in relation to Methodism.
Some people say John Wesley was the founder of Methodism, even though he never considered establishing a new denomination. He’s well known for playing one of the key roles in the revival of the 18th century.
In church history books, we read about the outstanding influence John Wesley had in shaping future generations of Christians. But to understand how the revival surrounding John Wesley and others took off, we have to take a close look at his mom, Susanna Wesley. Because of her hard work and dedication, John and Charles Wesley were able to do the work of the Lord as it has been talked about all over the world.
Let’s take a closer look at this woman of character, strength, and perseverance. Born in the 17th century, she was a highly intelligent and independent thinker. Susanna was well-read and had strong opinions on several matters. It was utterly rare for a woman at that time to stand up for what she believed in and to fight fearlessly to protect her values.
After getting married to Samuel Wesley, Susanna conceived in total 19 children of which only 10 made it into adulthood. Most of the other 9 died in their early infant years.
The daily schedule of the Wesley household
Let’s look at the daily schedule Susanna set up for her family. 6 days a week the children had class at home from 9 am to 12 am and from 2 pm to 5 pm. As soon as a child turned five, Susanna started with its education: Girls and boys alike.
Apart from teaching her children, Susanna spent two hours a day in prayer. One hour was fully dedicated to prayer for her children and the other hour was for her personal faith where she studied the Bible and journaled. Let me say it again: She prayed for TWO FULL HOURS a day. As if she didn’t have a full homeschool schedule and her household to attend to!
Every evening Susanna took one or two children aside to talk about matters of their hearts. They could ask questions concerning their faith and share their thoughts with her. Susanna listened to them and counseled them through whatever they were dealing with.
A household like that was unheard of in the 17th century. It looks like modern homeschooling, doesn’t it?
A life full of hard work, dedication and difficulties
Susanna’s life was filled with challenges as she was battling chronic illness all of her life. On top of that, her marriage was a misery, she lost 9 children, and since her husband was always in debt, the family struggled to survive. Not to mention that she gave birth to a new child almost every year, which means that she had to deal with pregnancy and post-partum hormones daily.
Against all odds, Susanna found strength and determination in God to give all she’s got for her children. She described her approach to the many adversities she experienced in a prayer:
,Help me, O Lord, to make a true use of all disappointments and calamities in this life, in such wise that they may unite my heart more closely with thee. Cause them to separate my affections from worldly things and inspire my soul with more vigour in the pursuit of true happiness.’
A mother who wrote church history
Today, Susanna is also called the Mother of Methodism. Throughout his life, John Wesley was in constant written correspondence with his mother, discussing matters of faith and asking for her counsel.
When the revival in England began, John was confronted with the problem of how to shepherd so many new Christians at once. Setting up a structure he divided the people into ‚classes‘ and set ‚leaders‘ over them who would look after their spiritual welfare. John implemented what he observed his mother doing with him and his siblings. Because John Wesley knew how to shepherd people once they became Christians, the revival was so successful.
In 1738 the revival in England took off and Susanna died in 1742. She was able to witness the first fruits of the huge mark she left on her children’s hearts and the generations to come.
Some words of encouragement for all the moms out there
Your prayers matter! What you’re doing for your children matters!
Church history was written because of a mother who decided to go against society’s norm and pour into her children. She shaped the way they thought, gave their lives a clear structure, and made the word of God stick in their hearts.
All of their lives, her children looked up to Susanna as it is witnessed in their written correspondence. Especially John, who probably viewed her as the perfect Christian woman.
What I’d ask Susanna Wesley over dinner
The questions I’d address while talking to her:
How do you remain strong in the midst of all your challenges?
How do you deal with worry and anxiety concerning your health, your children’s death, and your finances?
What’s your number one parenting advice?
What would you do differently if you had to do life all over again?
Why I admire her
I know there’s much controversy about Susanna’s perception of God, grace, and other faith-related questions. Yet we have to keep in mind that life in the 17th century in England and the theological discourses were very different from today’s world and our ways of thinking.
To be honest with you, I disagree with her theologically on several matters and I wouldn’t copy her parenting style one-on-one.
But what I admire about Susanna is her strength, perseverance, and dedication towards God and her family. I look up to her independent way of thinking, her work ethic, and the importance she placed upon parenting and proper education. She didn’t take the easy route but gave everything she had.
To me, she’s a role model on countless levels.
My portrait of Susanna Wesley is based on the biographies I’ve read:
Biography about Susanna:
Susanna Wesley. Her Remarkable Life by Ray Comfort
Susanna Wesley. Mother of Methodism by Mary Greetham
Biographies about John Wesley in German:
John Wesley by Martin Schmidt
Mit ruhigem Herzen vertraute er Gott by Karl Zehrer
Read more
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