How can we imitate Mary's obedience?

Consider how Mary did not attempt to take up her son's cross. She let him carry it. Perhaps this was her hardest obedience to God, even harder than her "yes" when the angel told her she would bear a son. But just think if she would've tried to eliminate her son's suffering. Jesus wouldn't have died and rose again to redeem the world! Instead, she stayed by him and endured his pain in her helplessness.

We often must do what is hardest and let our children experience the consequences of their actions. We do not do it coldly, but with compassion. We can give them medicine when sick, but sometimes there is no cure for their pain or they need to feel hurt when they have done wrong. No matter what the circumstance, we can always do as Mary did and bear their pain with them, supporting and loving them.