Heroes: June 6

Susanna Wesley is a recent edition to my heroes list. I knew that I had gone over the edge and became a true "church nerd" when I began laughing while reading a history book about the beginning of Methodism.

It was a story in which Susanna Wesley refused to say "amen" at the end of a prayer that mentioned the king (she did not believe that he was the rightful heir to the throne). Samuel Wesley, her husband, said she needed to say amen or else he was leaving. He left. While he was gone, people still came to visit Susanna, looking for spiritual advice and prayers, eventually she was having a regular church service in her kitchen. Samuel heard about this and wrote to here that she must cease these meetings immediately.

She replied that she would quit the meetings if Samuel was prepared to stand before God at their judgement day and explain to God why Susanna had not done as she was told by the Lord. He dropped the subject.

When the king was replaced by someone Susanna did approve of Samuel returned home.

Furthermore, Susanna taught ALL of her children to read, yes her girls as well as her boys! She was a woman of strength and intelligence. She held true to her religious convictions no matter what anyone else said, including her husband a minister. She was far ahead of her time. I love that! This is how she became one of my heroes.

God bless Susanna Wesley.