Last Updated on August 1, 2018
When I was in my middle 30s, I was swamped by children: six of them. The oldest was 10 or 11, the youngest maybe 12 months old. While I was very grateful for each of my children and loved being a mom, I was frequently exhausted by the constant round-the-clock needs of so many. And I hadn’t yet entered the teen years. I feel tired today just remembering.
During that decade of my life I discovered a small book of prayers by Susanna Wesley, mother of 19—including John, founder of the Methodist church, and Charles, composer of thousands of hymns. In those sippy cup, diaper bag, and Cheerio-cluttered years, I took delight reading the meditations of a woman who had three times the children but none of the conveniences I took for granted. Susanna’s prayers spoke deeply to my heart.
I remember trying to imagine her life in a little wood-frame English parsonage, two stories tall, I envisioned, but one that was completely destroyed by fire during her mommy years. Her husband, Samuel Wesley, a pastor, was also constantly needed by people. Their home life was one I could identify with but could hardly comprehend. Oh, and Susanna lost half of those 19 children to death before they reached adulthood. Gratefully that is beyond my experience.
I guess you could say that Susanna Wesley was a mentor to me, for she gently instructed me as I read her prayers regularly for that season of my life. We were kindred spirits with our many similar duties as wife, mom, and neighbor, both of us desiring to know God with so little uninterrupted time to actually devote to seeking Him.
Barbara Rainey is the Co-Founder of FamilyLife, the mother of six and a grandmother to 18 – she is also a mentor and friend to countless women in the United States online loans and abroad. She is a gifted communicator – and artist – who has created, and continues to create, resources that help parents and children connect and impress on their hearts the truth of God’s word. Barbara is the Titus 2 woman we all long to spend time learning from and will embolden you to spend time in the word and be a world changer, while prioritizing family – she will inspire and empower!
Thanks Barbara. I can’t wait to see more prayers. I remember hearing a story of how Susanna Wesley used to sit in her kitchen with her apron over her head while she prayed. It was always encouraging to me that she could remain faithful in the midst of so much activity. Thanks for sharing your wisdom and her wisdom with us.
I have that apron story in my head whenever I hear about Susannah Wesley, too! Can’t wait to hear more, I am in exactly the same boat you were-6 children, from 11 months to 10 years old!