Articles Womanhood and Motherhood Inspiring Women - Susanna Wesley
| Inspiring Women - Susanna Wesley |
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| Friday, 01 August 2008 15:14 | |
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Susanna Wesley was born in 1669. She gave birth to nineteen children, ten survived into adulthood. Two of her sons became famous and influential men in the life of the Christian church - John Wesley and Charles Wesley. Susanna ran a strict, ordered household and homeschooled all of her children. She knew Latin, Greek, French (most likely) as well as philosophy and politics. She taught her children for six hours a day (9am-12N and 2-5pm) and each of her children began their schooling they day after their fifth birthday, with each child expected to learn the alphabet on their first day. Each week, she spent an hour with each child, to know them and their desires better and to talk with them about spiritual matters to direct each child's path. She also spent at least one hour a day in private prayer, often at the kitchen table with her apron pulled up over her head - a sure sign to her children not to disturb her. What is more amazing about this woman is that she did it almost entirely alone. Her husband, Samuel Wesley, spent much time away from the home. He was imprisoned twice for unpaid debts. He left the family home for five months at one point due to a fight he had with Susanna about politics. His work as a minister provided meagre income and the exposition he was writing on the book of Job consumed much of the families finances. On top of these hardships, their home was burnt down twice, a baby of hers was "overlaid" (smothered) by a nursemaid they had employed due to Susanna's exhaustion and their family were harassed by the local residents. Her husband died before her as did some of her adult children. Susanna's children are a lasting testament to her strength in the face of adversity. How I wish I had just a small portion of that strength! To read more about her, see this free ebook, Excellent Women. Also, see the sixteen rules she held in her home. |
