April 20, 2020

Moms are given an almost impossible task. They have to be all things to all people, so that by all means they can SURVIVE! Outside of the Cross, the greatest gift God gave the world is the gift of mothers. They nurture, love, clean, manage, sacrifice and so often, put themselves last so that others can benefit from the fruit of their labors. 

The role women have as moms in raising their children is a challenge that is not taken lightly. A woman who takes this responsibility lightly will not challenge their children to dream great dreams. She will leave them with insecurity and a passionless life. However, the woman who strives to influence her children toward greatness will raise children who believe nothing is impossible. Those children will impact the world greatly! One such woman who did this was Susannah Wesley, who only had 19 children! How did she do it? She spent one hour each week talking with each child privately about spiritual matters. Also she had 16 rules that governed the house:

Here are 16 rules she laid down in her home.

1. Eating between meals not allowed.

2. As children they are to be in bed by 8 p.m.

3. They are required to take medicine without complaining.

4. Subdue self-will in a child, and those working together with God to save the child’s soul.

5. To teach a child to pray as soon as he can speak.

6. Require all to be still during Family Worship.

7. Give them nothing that they cry for, and only that when asked for politely.

8. To prevent lying, punish no fault which is first confessed and repented of.

9. Never allow a sinful act to go unpunished.

10. Never punish a child twice for a single offense.

11. Comment and reward good behavior.

12. Any attempt to please, even if poorly performed, should be commended.

13. Preserve property rights, even in smallest matters.

14. Strictly observe all promises.

15. Require no daughter to work before she can read well.

16. Teach children to fear the rod.

On Discipline

Susannah Wesley believed that for a child to grow into a self-disciplined adult, he/she must first be a parent-disciplined child. To her, the stubborn flesh was the hardest battle for Christians to fight, and godlyparents would do well to equip their children to overcome it early. She writes:

“When the will of a child is totally subdued, and it is brought to revere and stand in awe of the parents,then a great many childish follies … may be passed by. . . . I insist on the conquering of the will of children betimes, because this is the only strong and rational foundation of a religious education … when this is thoroughly done, then a child is capable of being

governed by reason and piety.”

One day one of her daughters wished to do something which was not altogether bad, but which was not right. When she was told not to do it, she was not convinced.

It was late and she and her mother were sitting beside a dead fire. Her mother said to her: “Pick up that bit of coal.” “I don’t want to,” said the girl. “Go on,” said her mother. “The fire is out, it won’t burn you.” “I know that,” said the girl. “I know it won’t burn me but it will blacken my hands.” “Exactly,” said Susannah Wesley. “That thing which you wish to do won’t burn, but it will blacken. Leave it alone.”

Susannah Wesley was the 25th child of twenty-five, and the mother of nineteen children, including John and Charles Wesley. Through much adversity, she dedicated her

life to instilling a sense of Christian Destiny into each of her children. Her children went

on to change the world.

Susannah Wesley was a remarkable woman of determination and strength. Rarely, do you find a woman with these convictions. In a world of fast-paced lifestyles and misplaced priorities, Wesley’s example certainly seems abnormal. However, we (dads and moms) would do well to take note of her example and strive to raise our children to love the Lord, fear Him and live a life of integrity, so that those who view our lives would see the glory of Christ in how we conduct ourselves in every situation. 

For all the moms and future moms, you are loved and you are a gift from the hand and heart of Almighty God!

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