Susanna Wesley buried nine of her children before they reached adulthood. She had almost nothing. And she built one of the most consequential families in the history of faith.
The Weight She Carried
Nineteen pregnancies. Nine infant deaths. A husband who was frequently away, periodically in debtor's prison, and not particularly helpful when he was home. Their house burned down — twice. Susanna had every reason to collapse under the weight of it all.
Instead, she built a system. She dedicated two hours every day to personal prayer. She scheduled a private evening with each child, one-on-one, to talk about their soul, their questions, their fears. She homeschooled all of them with a curriculum she designed herself.
The Apron Over Her Head
When the chaos of the house got too much, Susanna would pull her apron over her head. That was the signal. The children knew: Mum is praying. Don't interrupt. In a cramped house with ten kids underfoot, she carved out sacred space with a piece of fabric.
What Her Children Built
Her son John Wesley founded the Methodist movement — a global awakening that reshaped Christianity across continents. Her son Charles wrote over 6,000 hymns, including "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing." Both brothers credited their mother as the primary shaper of their theology and discipline.
John once wrote to her: "I learned more about Christianity from my mother than from all the theologians of England."
What This Means for You
Susanna didn't have resources. She didn't have help. She didn't have a platform. She had prayer, consistency, and individual attention for each child. That was enough to catalyse something that changed millions of lives. Your investment in your children's inner world — especially when no one sees it — is never small.