Susanna Wesley (Sower Series)

Susanna, the twenty-fifth child in her family, prayed daily, "Dear God, guide me. Make my life count." But God's answer seemed to be "Wait." So Susanna waited. And in the meantime, she married the young poet, Samuel Wesley.

Life with Samuel took Susanna from her life-long home in London to a new home over a hundred miles to the north. Samuel was a minister, but life in the rectory was not easy. There was never enough money to feed and clothe the family properly. Twice their house burned. One king after another reigned on the throne of England. And Samuel spent years writing his commentary on the Book of Job.

Through it all, Susanna devoted herself to her children - nineteen were born, but only nine lived to grow up. Would little Samuel ever learn to talk? How could she make time to spend alone with each of her children? When should she teach the children to read? And would her life ever count for something? As a young woman, Susanna once said, "I hope the fire I start will not only burn all of London but all of the United Kingdom as well. I hope it will burn all over the world."

She was born Susanna Annesley in Spital Yard, London, England.  Her lifespan was 1669-1742.  She and her husband Samuel had 19 children and because of her Christian influence over her children, two sons, Charles and John, both became early builders of the Methodist denomination.  She was called the "Mother of Methodism."