Saturday morning found us moving rocks as we completed a landscaping task. Our four-year-old grandson was our helper.

Benjamin worked diligently. He moved bricks. He picked up rocks. He talked nonstop, and his presence lightened our hearts.

He had helped me fill a bucket with some rocks that were to be placed elsewhere. I went to pick up the bucket, and he decided to help me move it. When I lifted the bucket, his little hand grasped the other side of the handle, and we slowly walked to the new location.

“Nana, I can help you!”

“Yes, you are a big help!”

“I’m strong, and I can carry this with you. It’s not heavy.”

“It isn’t too heavy,” I replied, although I realized that the weight of the bucket was on me; he was just holding on to the handle.

It hit me then.

This is exactly what Jesus meant in the eleventh chapter of Matthew when He said,

²⁸ Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

The reason that the yoke I carry with Jesus doesn’t squash me is because He is carrying the weight. He bore the burden of my sin. He is an ever-present help in trouble. He carries me.

I may feel strong, but that feeling is an illusion. My strength is only in my attachment to Him. I cannot carry the burdens and the responsibilities of this life in my own power without being pressed down and crushed by the load.

When I walk with Him, though, He carries the weight, and my burden is light.

Father,

Help me remember that my strength lies in my nearness to You. When I am feeling crushed, remind me that You will lift the load for me. Thank You for carrying me in this life. Thank You for being my Burden Bearer. Your fellowship and love make this life a good place to be. You are good!

II Corinthians 4: ⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. ⁸ We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; ¹⁰ Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

Psalm 28:⁷The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.