What do you think of when you think of the word “courtesy”? The first thing that comes to my mind is courteous, but the word, courtesy, can have a deeper meaning. It can also mean a gift or privilege.

Recently, someone near and dear to me who happens to live in my house — wink, wink! — started her first job at a local grocery store. Her title is courtesy clerk, which is a euphemism for grocery bagger. In explaining this to a friend of mine, she said, “You know that job really makes a difference when you go shopping. Sometimes, it’s the little things that matter.”

I thought about how true this statement is. If there isn’t a courtesy clerk, then the line is much slower because the cashier or customer (me) bags the groceries. Since we are both multi-tasking, it takes longer to complete simultaneous tasks. A skilled courtesy clerk groups similar things together (cans, frozen food). Also, the courtesy clerk evenly distributes items so the bags aren’t too heavy. Hopefully, the courtesy clerk puts fragile things like eggs in a separate bag and on top of the other grocery bags so they don’t break. Then there is always the question, “Do you want your milk in a bag?” I can only infer they ask this because most milk containers have a handle. Then, if you really look like you need help, some clerks offer to carry the groceries to your car.

In thinking about a spiritual paradigm, Christ says in Matthew 11:30, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

This verse is in the context of us coming to the Savior and finding rest for our souls.

Christ’s grace and love for us are privileges. He takes our burdens and carries them for us. He implores us to give them to Him. He evenly distributes the load for us and gives us what we can carry. Some burdens seem unbearable at times, and He is always there to deliver us like the courtesy clerk who goes the extra mile and helps us to the car. Some burdens are easier to carry, like the milk jug that comes with a handle, only because we rest in Christ’s promises and cast our burdens on Him. At times, we can be fragile, like the eggs, but Christ puts a hedge of protection or places us in the right place at the right time to keep us from harm.

Just recently, I was delayed in getting to work because I had to drive back around the block to return home to get something important. Then, as I approached the last road of my arduous commute to work, there was a traffic accident. I heard a voice say to me, “I protected you from this.” This experience is like the eggs. Christ separated me from a fragile situation, and it resulted in His unmerited favor.

So, whatever burdens we are carrying today? Let’s think about giving them to the Lord. Burdens can take many forms:

• Illness
• Job Loss
• Family Hardships
• Broken Relationships

The Lord knows what they are, and He is willing to give us the privilege — or courtesy — to carry them as He promises in His statement, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.