Prayer Chaplain Corner
Greetings from your
Prayer Chaplain Team
This article was inspired by Rev. Dr. Patrick’s lesson from the 1/19/25 Sunday service in which he invoked Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, followed by an exploration of Unity’s 3rd Principle in manifesting our own dreams. I particularly liked Rev. Patrick’s definition of a dream: It is God calling to us to awaken to a higher purpose and to a greater good.
I’d like to share a story from my past that revolves around Unity’s 3rd Principle, “Thoughts held in mind produce after their kind”. Spoiler alert! It ends with me realizing a dream that seemed impossible.
Let’s step back in history to my 7th grade year in Jr. High school. My clique of friends wanted to join the track team. Despite my dislike of P.E. classes and running in general, I followed the crowd and signed up for track. The coaches had us try all of the various events to scout our talents. As a slow runner with poor upper body strength, I was completely out of my element. Shot put, long jump, high jump and sprints were all ruled out. I got assigned to be an 800m distance runner. My first track meet (which was also my last track meet) was a disaster. I got lapped and I got mocked by some spectators as I was chugging to the finish line. Some very negative thoughts were firmly planted in my mind that day. I hate running. I hate sports. I will never be physically fit. Those thoughts would produce after their kind for the next twenty-four years.
With the new millennium came a shift in my consciousness as God called me to awaken to a higher purpose and to a greater good. The catalyst was losing a friend to leukemia. Shortly after her transition I noticed an ad in the local newspaper. It was an invitation to join the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training to run a marathon. The premise is to raise funds for leukemia research by soliciting donations for every mile you run. In return you receive coaching, support, travel arrangements—everything you need to complete a marathon. This seemed like the perfect way to honor my friend. I attended the informational meeting where I learned that 26.2 miles is not an insurmountable distance. Except for the elite athletes, everyone’s goal is simply to finish the race. In fact, every finisher gets a medal to celebrate their accomplishment.
Thanks to that little push from God, I raised over $10,000 for leukemia research. I cried tears of joy and redemption as I crossed that first marathon finish line. There are now fifteen marathon finisher’s medals hanging from a display rack on my wall. The narrative of thoughts held in my mind is now a stream of positive affirmations. I am an athlete. I am capable of realizing my dreams.
You are capable, too. Know that the dreams of your heart are God tapping at the door of your consciousness. Listen. Set your intention. Make it happen.
I See the Light in You,
Rene Holubec
Unity Prayer Chaplain Team