CMP Review 2024-02-22

February 22, 2024

One of my heroes of the faith is Susanna Wesley. In fact, we named our daughter after her maiden name. Her theological writings and example of courage and faith have inspired me for years. Her most lasting imprint on me, however, has been her illustration of the call to parents.

Several contributors to the Parents’ Review have testified to the cost of being a homeschooling parent. In 1930, Mrs. Brown wrote, “I have to admit that anyone who undertakes the education of her own children is taking on a whole-time job—it cannot be run as a side-line!” In 1926, M. R. wrote that “one must be content to sacrifice practically all social life and all outside work, and … there is little or no time for self-development and further study.”

But when I first sensed my call to homeschool, I did not have access yet to these helpful articles. I did, however, have the words of Susanna Wesley. And in 1731 she wrote, “No one can, without renouncing the world in the most literal sense, observe my method, and there’s few (if any) that would entirely devote above twenty years of the prime of life in hope to save the souls of their children (which they think may be saved without so much ado); for that was my principal intention, however unskillfully or unsuccessfully managed.”

Twenty years ago I took these words to heart and I set out to renounce the world for the sake of my children. However “unskillfully or unsuccessfully managed” my work has been over these decades, I do not regret that first choice I made. What I had to learn is that the method requires this literal renunciation every single day. May the Lord help me be faithful today.

@artmiddlekauff