{"id":38799,"date":"2019-04-07T14:58:00","date_gmt":"2019-04-07T14:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.christianitytoday.com\/pastors\/preaching\/sermon-illustrations\/letter-from-winston-churchills-disappointed-mother\/"},"modified":"2019-04-07T14:58:00","modified_gmt":"2019-04-07T14:58:00","slug":"letter-from-winston-churchills-disappointed-mother","status":"publish","type":"sermon-illustrations","link":"https:\/\/www.christianitytoday.com\/pastors\/preaching\/sermon-illustrations\/letter-from-winston-churchills-disappointed-mother\/","title":{"rendered":"A Letter from Winston Churchill\u2019s Disappointed Mother"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\t\t\tWinston Churchill was 15 years old and a student at Harrow School when his mother, Jennie Churchill, <\/em> wrote him<\/em><\/a> the following letter from London on June 12, 1890.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

\n

Dearest Winston,<\/p>\n

… I have much to say to you, I’m afraid not of a pleasant nature. You know darling how I hate to find fault with you, but I can’t help myself this time … Your report which I enclose is as you will see a very bad one. You work in such a fitful inharmonious way, that you are bound to come out last—look at your place in the form! Your father & I are both more disappointed than we can say, that you are not able to go up for your preliminary exam: I daresay you have 1000 excuses for not doing so—but there the fact remains …<\/p>\n

Dearest Winston you make me very<\/em> unhappy … My only consolation is that your conduct is good and you are an affectionate son—but your work is an insult to your intelligence. If you would only trace out a plan of action for yourself & carry it out & be determined<\/em> to do so—I am sure you could accomplish anything you wished. It is that thoughtlessness of yours which is your greatest enemy …<\/p>\n

I will say no more now—but Winston you are old enough to see how serious this is to you—& how the next year or two & the use you make of them, will affect your whole life—stop & think it out for yourself & take a good pull before it is too late. You know dearest boy that I will always help you all I can.<\/p>\n

Your loving but distressed<\/p>\n

Mother<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

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