As a young Christian, I desired to read books from some of the “old guys” in the faith, but it was a bit intimidating. My first exposure to a “not so old guy” was Charles Spurgeon’s, Morning and Evening Devotional. I picked up Alistair Begg’s edited version, and it introduced me to a man who helped me to get a better understanding of what it meant to abide in Christ.
Most of us have been impacted by the writings of Charles Spurgeon, whether it’s through books, his sermons or even the many quotes we come across as we scroll through our social media feeds. Susannah Spurgeon is probably not as familiar to us except for the knowledge that we know she was married to Charles.
My first introduction to Susannah’s writings was in a favored devotional of mine called Seasons of the Heart. Susannah’s writings are appealing as Ray Rhodes Jr. explained so beautifully:
“for she brings her readers into her thoughts of her heart, as if she has poured a cup of tea for her guests, invited them to draw near to the fire, and engaged them in conversation. She respected her readers, treating them as friends.”
Reading Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon, wife of Charles H. Spurgeon, has made me feel as if I just got to spend time with a dear friend and I didn’t want our time to come to an end. It is a well written, complete biography filled with historical records, personal writings from the Spurgeon’s and wonderful testimonies from family and friends.
I had the opportunity to meet Ray in person at the G3 Conference last month and was so grateful for this opportunity to get a copy of Susie to review for my readers and to get to do a giveaway too! (Please note the giveaway has ended.)
Ray is a great storyteller, and the book was a page turner and hard to put down. I loved the photos. Who doesn’t enjoy photos in a biography??
There were so many takeaways from the book, and I wanted to share some parts of Susie’s life that impacted me. Anytime I read a Christian biography the hope is it would help me, by God’s grace, to love and serve Him more. Susie was one of those books.
As I share these, please remember that we are not Charles and Susie and the Lord had a special purpose for their lives, but I do always believe there are things we can learn and glean from others in our walk with the Lord.
Gleanings from Susie’s Life:
Susie was raised in a home where the scriptures were most likely read and in a time and culture where the Bible was held in high regard. She didn’t come to faith until she was a young adult, but because of her early exposure to God’s Word, she had a good knowledge of God’s Word from her childhood.
She was an avid reader of solid theological books along with God’s Word. Because of this, she grew spiritually. Susie committed herself to practice the spiritual disciplines. She read through the whole bible yearly and was an avid reader of theological books. Susie meditated on the scriptures and had a good working knowledge of the Word. She is an encouragement for us all to seek out good, solid theological resources. Don’t settle for superficial material ladies. We don’t necessarily need to be reading the Puritans, (though that is a good thing to be reading) we have some great writers today but pray and learn to develop biblical discernment.
Her marriage was a priority to her. Susie was a wonderful helper to her husband and had a submissive spirit. They had a very romantic marriage. They wrote love letters to one another throughout their lives. They wrote like a young couple in love. They never got away from the romance of their relationship – it was beautiful. I love how she assured him even in her love letters that she was praying for him.
“God had certainly made them for each other. It was a love match, but also a spiritual partnership, as every true Christian marriage should be.”
-Ernest Bacon
There were many difficult trials and circumstances they dealt with that were ministry related over their years together and Susie remained stable and steadfast in her walk with the Lord through them. She had a trusting, strong faith in the Lord and was the right woman to stand by his side.
“Though we may not at the time, see His purpose in the afflictions which he sends us, it will be plainly revealed when the light of eternity falls upon the road along which we have journeyed.”
-Susannah Spurgeon
She was committed to Charles and his ministry. She did not hinder him from his work in any way. She was well loved and cherished by her husband. Her joy was promoting her husband’s gospel-centered ministry.
Susie was engaged in service even when she was afflicted. Her eyes were off herself and on others. She didn’t make excuses because of her affliction. She served God faithfully to the best of her ability.
There wasn’t evidence she was a complainer. She was honest about her afflictions and even the difficulties she faced after Charles died. She never doubted God’s faithfulness and His promises.
Her Legacy:
Susie accomplished much in her earthly life in addition to being the wife of the Prince of Preachers. She was an author, she started a book fund for pastors, planted a church, was a student of the Word, hiked the Swiss Alps, was the mother of twin boys, content in the shadow of her husband, served Christ faithfully, loved the gospel and provided a warm, loving home that was prayerful.
Susie’s life reminded me that every day is a gift and all is grace. God is good and faithful always. Suffering is part of our earthly life, and the hope is we will respond with faith and trust in our God with hearts that are joy-filled and thankful. Her story encouraged me of the importance of being a supportive and encouraging wife to my husband. I desire to be an excellent helper to him and not hinder the work of the Lord in his life but help flourish it in any way I can.
The book was edifying and challenging. You will be blessed by it, and if you enjoy Charles Spurgeon, it helps give a better picture of who he was through the life of his wife. Charles would not be Charles without Susannah.
“She loved her husband. She loved Jesus. And she had served God faithfully.”
What sweet, precious words we would all love to hear at the end of our days.
More Information:
You can find Susie: The Life and Legacy of Susannah Spurgeon, wife of Charles H. Spurgeon here.
For more information on the book check out Ray Rhodes Jr's ministry website here.
I was provided with a copy of the book through Moody Publishing for an honest review.
I have enjoyed getting the know the author of the book in recent months. It is the classic story of “behind every great man stands a great woman.” More than that, it is the story of God’s grace.
This is really challenging to us as wives. To be who God wants us to be and yet be a perfect herlper to our husbands, and to have a delicate balance in both.
We have a winner!! Thank you all for entering xoxo – Link to the winner is on my Instagram post – the blog comments did get added in the total and the winning comment number was selected through Random.org.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuEKnUllEkU/
This book looks so good!!
Thank you for the opportunity to win the book. It looks like a good one!
It sounds like a great book that I would like to read. I love Spurgeon’s teachings, thank you for the giveaway!
I would love to read this book! I’m thinking about buying it, but I’ll see if I win first, lol.
There are so many things about the faith of this woman & the mother that she was that I would love to read more about & glean from!
I was just looking at this book to add to my reading list! I really enjoyed reading your review!
Oh! This is one I definitely have to get! Charles Spurgeon is my favorite and I’ve heard a few stories of his wife and their life together and have always been facinated by them! I’d love this♡
Would love to win my own copy!
Would love to read this book. What a godly lady to learn from.
I can’t wait to read this book. It is on my “to read” list for this year.
Would love to read!! Thanks for this post and opportunity.
I have been wanting to read this book!!
Sounds like a really neat book!
Wonderful giveaway! I would love to be entered (I do not have Instagram so need to enter here). Thank you and God bless!
Great review. I would love to read this book.
I would love to read this book and be encouraged by her life and her faith.
I love Spurgeon! I would love to read this book about his wife. Thank you for the thorough review. It’s counter-cultural to focus on how to be the godly wife in the shadow of an important man, so I’m looking forward to reading a book with that perspective.
I was happy to see that you had shared your thoughts on this book, I’ve heard a lot of people say they liked it and it’s been on my mean to read list 😊She sounds like a woman worthy of admiration.
Sounds very interesting. I read 7 Women a while back and this sounds like it would be just as good!
Would love he opportunity to know more about Spurgeon and his godly wife.
Charles Spurgeon is my husband’s favorite. I would love to win the book to add to our collection!
Thank you for the review! I’ve seen this book around and really want to read it!!
This sounds like a wonderful book to read. I am going to place this book on my booklist for this year. I love Charles Spurgen sermons and spiritual writings, so I know I will probably enjoy this book. Thank you for sharing.
This sounds like a very interesting book! I’m very much curious about it now, so winning a copy would be great, but I will look into it regardless. 😊
I would love to learn more about her.
Sounds like an engaging read for any point in your walk. Thanks so much!:)
What a wonderful opportunity to tead this book! I love Spurgeon, I have not read much about his wife but I would love to glean from her!
I have had this on my Amazon wish list for a while. I love biographies. It doesn’t matter the time period we can learn so much from those who have gone before us. 🙂
This book is on my wishlist!!
What a wonderful giveaway! This looks like it would be a wonderful read.
I know that I would be so encouraged to read about Susannah Spurgeon’s life. I would also love for my 17-year-old daughter to glean from her wisdom of spiritual disciplines.
My husband and I will listen to Spurgeon sermons on sermon audio at night every once in a while. It would be cool to hear about the woman who was his support.
This has been on my reading list for 2019!
This book looks great!
this sounds like such a great book! I’ve always loved reading Charles Spurgeon, but would love to read about his wife as well.
I would love a copy of this book!
Thank you for the chance to win the susiespurgeonbook.
I would so LOVE to win this book!
Would LOVE to read this book! I have only heard great things about it!
I would like to win the book. In our days we need women like Susie to inspire us to be a virtuous women .
Thanks.
This sounds like something my six girls and I need to read!
Would love to win this!! Wanting to read more this year!!
Wow! What a blessing it would be to win his and read about the wife of such a tremendous preacher of the Word! Thank you, and I appreciate all by our posts ❤️
I’ve had this book on my list for a while! It sounds like such. Great book!
I’d love to read this book. Thanks for the chance.
Adding this to my “Books to read in 2019” list! Whether I win it or not, can’t wait to get my hands on this book!
I don’t instagram…with littles in the house, social media apps caused too much distraction for me, so I no longer use them. Blessing and a curse 🤷🏻♀️.
Thanks for sharing this, Marci! Glad to have you back!
I am currently reading this and love it! I’d love to win so I could bless someone with it.
I would love to learn about her and have her inspire my walk!
This book sounds fantastic! What an example to us all of loving God and our husbands. Thank you for sharing! Would love to win a copy to read on these snowy Wisconsin days that seem endless!
I love to read Charles Spurgeon’s sermons, and would love to read about his wife, as well. Thanks so much for hosting the giveaway!
Thank you for doing this giveaway. I would love to win! If I don’t, I will be sure to buy the book anyway ☺️.
So excited that you’re hosting a give-away for this book. I love to win a copy!!!!
Creative way to get good books into the hands of readers! Thanks!
This sounds like a wonderful book!
Sounds like a great book, would love to win it!
This is so exciting!! I would absolutely love to win this Suzanna Spurgeon book and glean from the writing of such a godly woman, who was the wife of the Prince of Preachers!! ❤ I’ve 5 children still at home, and I’d love to read this to them! ❤
I would like to enter the giveaway. I really like Charles Spurgeon.
What a blessing it would be to have this book! Mrs. Spurgeon’s character truly reflects Christ.
I would love to read this book ❤️ Thanks for sharing !!!!
I would love this book!
Sounds like a great read…
Very nice giveaway.
Blessings !
Would love to win this book! I am currently reading Morning and Evening by Spurgeon…would love to learn about his wonderful wife! Thank you for the opportunity to enter the giveaway, Marci!
I love your posts! Looks like a great book!
I’ve been seeing this book for some time now and would love to get my hands on it!! Thankful for your review and the reminder that, though we are not Charles and Susie, we can learn from other who’ve gone ahead of us!!
Thank you for this book review. I would love to win it.
Would love to read this book!
I don’t have an Instagram, but I would love to still enter for a chance to win the book 🙂 Thank you for the review and for giving a copy of the book away Toby our readers! So fun.
Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the opportunity to get a copy!
Thanks for sharing a review on this book! I’m always looking for inspirational reading to help me grow.
Would love to win a copy! Thank you for doing the giveaway! Excited to read this!!!
Spurgeon has been an inspiration to me and our ministry for many years. I would love to know about his lovely wife and read her writings as well. I know for a fact that God puts couples together for ministry and in Christ they are complete. We need more Godly men an women today to inspire this generation.
I did not know anything about Spurgeon’s wife. She sounds like a godly example, and I would love to read about her and read her words.
They were a dynamic duo – made for each other. Would love to read her story!
I really appreciate Spurgeon and would love to get to know his Godly wife through her writings.
Constantly reaching to increase my understanding of the Word and how to be a blessing to my husband and family, I am hopeful to be encouraged by reading this book. Charles Spurgeon’s brilliance was inspiring and continues to Inspire to this day. To be touched by the heart felt words of the woman beside the man will surely be a gift to my ever pursuing soul. I look forward to this read!
Looks really great! Thanks for the chance!
I love his writings but know very little about his wife. Would love to read their love story.
How wonderful she sounds! I would love the chance to read about her more. What an inspiration! Thank you for featuring her, so that we can learn more about her.
I love Spurgeon and would love to know more about his wife and their life together. I am in awe over the way she was able to support her husband and never hinder his ministry. I wonder if I could be that type of supportive wife in those circumstances or if I would have my let my selfish and self serving ways become a problem. It sounds like she definitely tried to live as an example of Christ for others!
How awesome! I love learning about the witness of honest/candid marriages in ministry. I look forward to reading and learning more from the Spurgeon’s. Thanks for the good share! 🙂
She sounds like a very inspirational woman!!!