Learning to Rest, Heal, and Start Again

By Kat Crawford

It wasn’t the kind of interruption I expected.

A year ago, life came to a screeching halt when I had to undergo major surgery to remove a tumor from my spine. I’d love to say I walked through it all with perfect faith and peace — but truthfully? It was hard.
Really hard. Like the hardest year of my life…

I spent two full months unable to care for my baby.
Two months of lying still, trying to heal, while the world (and my home) kept spinning without me.
The physical pain was one thing — but the emotional toll? That hit even deeper.

I had been a hairstylist for over 25 years. I loved serving people, hearing their stories, making them feel beautiful inside and out. It was my ministry and my livelihood — but suddenly, my body could no longer carry it like before. I’ve since returned to the salon one day a week, but even that takes everything I’ve got physically.

The old rhythm of life? Gone.
The familiar routines? Wiped clean.
And the hardest part? I felt like I didn’t know who I was anymore.

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But God.

In the quiet, painful places, God met me.
When I felt most useless, He reminded me my value wasn’t in what I could do — but in who I was to Him.
He taught me to rest — really rest. Not just physically, but in His promises.

I started praying a new kind of prayer:

“God, I don’t understand this season. But help me not to waste it.”

Little by little, He began to stir new ideas in my heart. I felt drawn to learn, to grow, and to use the time I had — even if I was still weak — to build something new.

That’s how this journey into the online world began.
Not because I had a perfect plan, but because I had a mustard seed of faith.
And that was enough.

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From Burnout to Becoming

These days, I’m learning new skills. I’m showing up online not to hustle or prove anything — but to share, to serve, and to build something sustainable that honors my body and still lets me use my voice.

It’s vulnerable.
It’s stretching.
But it’s also so freeing.

And maybe you’re in your own hard season right now — one that feels uncertain or painful or just plain exhausting.
If so, I want you to know: God sees you. He’s not finished with your story.
The interruption might feel like a detour, but it could actually be a doorway.

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Friend, you don’t have to have it all figured out.

You just have to rest in Him.
Take the next faithful step.
Let Him lead.

He is faithful — even here.

I wrote a devotional out of a season of rest in my life a while back, and I’d love to share it with you here if you are in need to a new quiet routine every morning. It’s a 21 day devotional to bring rest to your mind, body and spirit. I hope you are blessed by it.

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I’d love to pray for you.

If you’re walking through your own tough season — healing, starting over, or just feeling weary — leave a comment below or message me privately at TheProsperousPatriot@gmail.com

💬 How can I pray for you this week?
You’re not alone, and I’d be honored to lift your name to the Father.

With love and healing,
Kat – The prosperous Patriot