An Open Journal
The Writings of Meghan Callahan
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My Summer Staff Team minus Matt! I can’t wait to begin serving alongside these amazing girls and build lasting friendships with each of them. Oh the memories, laughs and fun times to come :)
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What another amazing day as a Lighthouse Family Retreat Summer staffer. We had the wonderful opportunity of visiting the Chick-fil-a headquarters and wow was I completely blown away. Apart from being guarded with security officers, having to wear name tags, and following a long path full of gardens, ponds and trees, the building was BEAUTIFUL, both inside and out. It was nothing like I was expecting. It was so nice, luxurious and inviting as a live jazz band serenaded the guests as we ate. But that wasn’t even the best part, it was hearing one of the store owners, Scott, talk to us about the Christian roots and principles of this famous business. He shared with us how Chick-fil-a is about going the extra mile. How this principle is taught to every employee due to its Biblical history. In those times, Roman soldiers would demand citizens to carry their heavy backpacks along side of them for miles. Even if the individuals had a place to be or were walking in other direction, they had to respectfully obey. But what if when the time came for the Roman soldier to demand his bag back, the citizen humbly replied, “I’ll go another mile.” How influential would that be for the soldier? This is the principle that Chick-fil-a is founded on. Isn’t it crazy how much this ties along with Lighthouse? How serving the families at the beach isn’t just about the mandatory things, but it’s about looking for ways to go over and beyond. To do for those families what you wish you could do for all familes who have to battle this disease. Just to go the extra mile, knowing that it’s making an influence for someone else. This is what I want to go this summer. To go the extra mile in everything I do, serving these amazing families to the best of my ability, knowing that this is what Christ does for me everyday. I want to serve them as Christ would, going the extra mile without thought but exposing a bit of His perfect character in this simple act. It was such a wonderful day and successfully ended with meeting Truett Cathy, the founder of this inspiring business. Even being 91, his love for people and for Christ still radiated through him as he shared his wise words with us: “Don’t get too rich but if you do, give it all away.” I’m ready to give it all away and go another mile.
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I am bursting with joy, overwhelmed with happiness and full of peace. After being here in Atlanta for two days, I know that this is where I’m suppose to be. That there is no other place I would want to be more than here, working with Lighthouse Family Retreat. It’s everything I thought it was going to be and more and I’m overwhelmed by the passion that God has already instilled in my heart for this ministry. I know without a doubt this is God’s plan for me right now and He had this in the books since the beginning. He knew last year when I received my internship at Brenner’s, it was going to prepare my heart and mind for this ministry. That working with my kids there, forming deep friendships with them, would begin this uncontrollable love for this population. He knew this internship would lead me to Lighthouse and I would have another chance to grow, mature, and change in Him. He had it all in order, everything had a purpose and being here now, makes that so evident. I’m ready to use this summer to serve my Father in this incredible organization and grow more in my walk with Him. I can’t wait to follow Him wholeheartedly, serve Him faithfully and love Him fully through this journey. Capture me Father, lead me, and make me into a humble servant after Your own heart. I’m ready.
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I can’t believe it is almost here. That tomorrow morning, I will pack my car and head down to Atlanta for the summer. All the talk for months has lead up to this point and now it’s reality. For those who know me, they know this is a pretty big step for me. Living in other state, working with people I don’t know, for an organization I’ve never experienced. It’s all new, which makes it exciting but on the other hand, makes me all the more nervous.
I remember soon after the ball dropped to bring in the New Year, telling God my desire to be out of my comfortable zone this year. I wanted to use this year to be uncomfortable for Him and put myself in situations where the only thing I could do was trust in Him. In His faithfulness and promise that He will never leave nor forsake me. I wanted to experience the world, meet the people He has created and love them just as He does. An experience that would help mold me into a better person while bringing glory to His name. So I know going to Atlanta for a summer seems to some not quite the adventure you were expecting but to me, this is out of my comfort
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Lord, I want to yearn for You. I want to burn with passion over You and only You.
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“Father, I come before You with such a heavy heart. I don’t want to walk into this hospital just to leave my kids. Father, I pray for strength as I see these kids for the last time and that even in my sadness, Your joy would still shine through me. I pray for peace as I walk out those doors and that You would hold my heart. I pray as I spend my last afternoon with Ethan and his family, that I would focus on the present, enjoying every minute with him and not worrying about the time left. I thank You that You are made strong in my weakness and that Your spirit lives in and through me. Hold my hand Father as I walk into this unit for the last time and carry me for these next few hours.”
With my head resting on the steering wheel, this is the prayer I prayed on Friday as I sat with a heavy heart in the hospital parking garage. I had been dreading this moment for the past few days and now it was here. I didn’t want to face it. It had to come to a close. And today was that day.
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My last day with Ethan and his wonderful family. These photos sum up our relationship in a nutshell! I’m going to miss him so incredibly much and getting pranked by him EVERYDAY but it was a blessing to be a part of his life. That boy showed me what it means to have true joy and happiness, no matter the situation or hardship. He is the light in that hospital and his strength and perseverance is inspiring. There is no one else I would have rather spent my last day with than with this incredible boy.
