An Easy Load

We were working on our landscaping one Saturday, and our four-year-old grandson was helping us. Benjamin worked diligently, moving bricks and picking up rocks. He talked nonstop, and his presence lightened our hearts.

He helped me fill a bucket with some rocks to place elsewhere. As I went to pick up the bucket, he decided to help me move it. His little hand grasped the other side of the handle, and we slowly walked to the new location. He said, “Nana, I can help you. I’m strong, and I can carry this with you. It’s not heavy.” “It isn’t too heavy,” I replied — although the weight of the bucket was on me. He was just holding the handle.

I realized then that this is exactly what Jesus meant in today’s scripture when he talked about our burden being light. The yoke I carry with Jesus doesn’t crush me because he is carrying the weight. He bore the burden of my sin. He is an ever-present help in trouble. He carries me and is my strength.

I cannot carry the burdens and the responsibilities of this life on my own, but when I walk with Jesus, he carries the weight, and my burden is light.