I lay it down—
this weight I’ve carried in silence,
the hush of what was never spoken,
the tender burden tucked beneath the day.
I lay it down
as one might offer a thread of gold
to the edge of the sea—
not to cast away,
but to entrust.
Even now—
when the path lies veiled in shadow
and light clings only to the edges—
you are not without a way.
There is a voice,
quiet as breath,
guiding you inward
toward stillness,
toward peace.
Even now—
when the weight of waiting bows your shoulders
and weariness settles deep—
you do not walk alone.
Grace moves beside you,
unseen and unwavering,
cradling the quiet work
of your becoming.
Even now—
when time feels lost,
and the world seems to move without you—
remember:
not all growth arrives with fanfare.
Some of it stirs in silence,
rooting in unseen soil,
taking shape
in the sacred art
of simply enduring.
You are not forgotten.
You are not adrift.
You are being led
by hands that do not waver,
by light that never leaves.
Even now.
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Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the idea of imperfection and how it plays such a profound role in our lives. At Sweet Bee Artisan Boards, Shawn and I have found ourselves drawn to rustic lumber—wood that many would consider flawed or imperfect. But as we’ve worked with these boards, I’ve come to see them as a powerful analogy for our own journeys, both as individuals and as partners.
By Abigail A. | Featured Contributor
Anxiety. One word, four syllables—but carries such a heavy load for millions of people across the globe. Anxiety is defined as “an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts, and physical changes.” As a young girl, I have always known that something didn’t feel quite right when: a) I felt faint whenever it came to public speaking, b) I hated the thought of confrontation, and c) I always felt nervous when it came to being around a group of people, etc. I never knew what it was until 20 something years later when my doctor diagnosed me with generalized anxiety disorder and social anxiety disorder, aka GAD & SAD. I finally had a name for what I was feeling all these years as a child/teenager and into adulthood. Numerous factors contributed to me developing anxiety. However, in my early twenties, I battled severe depression, and If I ever lost all hope in life, it was those 5 years because those were my darkest mental days. As the saying goes, I wish that on no one because it was a very scary place to be in.
Continue reading “Battling Anxiety & Depression: Abigail’s Story”
