Christ's sacrifice on the cross is a clear picture of what it means to be a sympathetic mother. In the same way that Jesus gave up his rights to die for me, I need to give up my rights to serve my children. I need to nail my personal agenda to the cross so I can really see what my children need at any point in my day. I need to give up my tendency to want to "lord it over" them just to control them so I can accomplish my own desires. I need to humble myself so I can reach into my children's hearts without bumping into my own selfish needs and expectations.

Then maybe I can be a servant to them with a heart that can sympathize with them as children. When I enter their world, only then can I truly and effectively minister to them as children.

We forget so many details about our growing-up years. But we remember the people and how they related to us. And for those who loved us and understood us when we were immature children, I think we reserve a special place for them in our hearts.

Read more about this in Seasons of a Mother’s Heart.