“I learned more about Christianity from my mother than from all the theologians in England.”
John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement

I saw this quote circulating around social media on Sunday for Mother’s Day, and it made me smile for two reasons. First, knowing a bit about Susanna Wesley, I can certainly understand why John would say that. He was the 15th of 19 children born to Samuel and Susanna, although nine died as infants. She was the primary discipler of the children, teaching them a structured life of devotion to God through Bible reading and prayer. In her journal, she once wrote, ““I will tell you what rule I observed when I was young, and too much addicted to childish diversions–never to spend more time in mere recreation in one day than I spent in private religious devotions.” She would spend two hours every day in prayer, famously throwing her apron over her head while seated with her Bible, creating a “tent” of sorts where the children knew she was not to be disturbed.

Second, I could say the same of my mom (and my dad). My parents raised me in the faith from a young age. I can still remember as a child having family devotions on Sunday nights around the fireplace. We began each day at breakfast reading the Upper Room devotional and praying for the day. Even in high school, we lived only about two minutes from the school, but my mom made me get up for breakfast early so we could eat as a family before my dad left for work. I can remember many a day actually going back to bed after breakfast for another thirty minutes of precious sleep before heading to school!

I’m so grateful for the faith they passed on to me. This past Sunday I referenced that passage from
2 Timothy 1:5-7:

“I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

May we always give thanks for the Loises and Eunices in our lives; may we be looking for ways to pass on the faith to the next generation and may we always be fanning into flame the faith that is within us!