When I volunteered in the California Prison system as a Labyrinth and workshop facilitator, I had a friend named Violette who possessed a lot of spiritual wisdom. Whenever I voiced any worry or concern about anything, she’d ask with a twinkle in her eye and a little giggle, “Who’s your Daddy?”  In an instant, I’d be back on Principle, remembering that I was always guided, guarded and protected by the Power within me, my true Father in the Heaven within.

Edwene Gaines, the Unity Master Minister who focuses her ministry on prosperity was challenged by someone when trying to launch her business, “How will you ever acquire the funds for that?” In the world of form, it was true, she didn’t have any money. However, she wasn’t going to give into the lack consciousness that surrounded her. She simply said, “I have a rich father.” The person challenging her took her literally and was very impressed with her answer and let her know that this was very fortunate. Little did he know that Edwene had faith in the Power and Presence of God’s abundance that was always there for her. Edwene Gaines went on to create a prosperous life helping others to do the same.

If we are feeling anything is too big for us to handle or too impossible for success, I ask, “Really? Who’s your Daddy?” Your answer to that question will hold within it the seeds for success or failure. Can we trust the Power of the Universe of which Emerson wrote, “There is no big or small to the Mind which maketh all.”?

There have been many times in my life where I was trapped in the world of conditions, not finding the answer to my financial dilemmas. I didn’t know about this Power within me, my true identity. My life was very similar to that in Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son. I had strayed far from the Truth of my being. I was trying to do it all on my own. I had even rejected the words of my earthly father, who taught me through example, that yes, I could have anything to which I set my mind. All those years, I didn’t necessarily know any better and thought I was doing the best I could. I was doing the best I could, but I did not know there was so much more and a much easier life for me.

So, in 1998 when I discovered the teaching of the Science of Mind, like the Prodigal Son I came home. At first, I didn’t realize all that was available for me. I felt guilty about so many things in my past and was far from forgiving myself. I was also a hard worker and it takes a while to totally trust, to turn in over. I struggled for probably the first five years that I was in this teaching; and then finally, something began to happen to me. I learned about truly feeling worthy to have the good that I sought. I was worthy to be happy, to be prosperous, to spend my life doing what I was called to do, to know that I was always provided for. I started on the trek home. My real Daddy is Spirit. I am born of Divinity. I am a queen. My very DNA is Divine. I don’t have to prove this anymore. This is now proven by science. There is something about me and you that is so much more than meets the eye. “Judge not by appearances, but by right judgment.”

I am a prodigal daughter and I feel like I keep coming home again and again. Every time, I am challenged to grow, I have to remember my Divine Heritage, my unlimited capabilities, the Power within me that flows without obstructions, that will make me just about as big in consciousness as I will allow.

In the story of the Prodigal Son, the first son traveled off into the world and apparently wasted the wealth his father had given him. This signifies that part within us that thinks that our good can run out, that there isn’t an energy that creates anew in every moment. The stay-at -home son is like us too. He is the one who was home all the time, but didn’t recognize what was right in front of him.

The beautiful part of this story is the answer that it gives about who God is. God is Love. It doesn’t judge. It doesn’t care about our past. It is always here just waiting for us to come home. This is a comforting thought to me and I accept it as the Truth for all of us. God stands at the door of our mind just waiting for us to turn to It and allow the love to pour through. God is the very breath that breathes us with plenty and more to give and receive. God never left us. God is right where we are always, always has been and always will be. This is because we are God. We can leave this knowing, this state of mind, but we can’t leave ourselves. God expresses as we are.

Ernest Holmes once wrote, “Prayer does something to the mind of the one praying. It does not do anything to God.” He also wrote, ““Individuality must be spontaneous; it can never be automatic. The seed of freedom must be planted in the innermost being of man, but, like the Prodigal Son, man must make the great discovery for himself.” Ernest Holmes (25)

When we pray or do Spiritual Mind Treatment, we open up our energy to recognize that God or Life Force is right here where we are always supplying us. Whatever we require is only a realization away, an embodiment of this knowing in our subconscious so that it no longer argues with the conscious mind. This is scientific. This is a conscious effort, a spontaneous effort, a choice.

However, sometimes we get discouraged because it doesn’t always happen all at once. But really think about it. Do you realize how many years some of us have of thinking the opposite way? Please give yourself a break and take it easy. It does come; I’m proof of it.

When we feel the current of self-love within us, when we can realize that there is nothing ever to forgive, that we were always doing the best we could, that life is merely a journey of experiences back to ourselves and that we always deserved everything good; we will have come home, we will have arrived at the greatest party ever. Whether we do it here or after this life, or in the next life or the next, or whatever you believe about eternity, we will all be at the party eventually.

Life is a one room school house. It gives us lessons that we all learn at our own pace. The teacher can be hard or gentle, depending on us. It’s all our perception. It’s all our choice. We are all going to graduate again and again.

In the story of the Prodigal son, the father gives the wayward son a “seamless robe.” What does it mean to be seamless? It means there is no beginning and no end. It means that there is no separation. It is one robe of Unity, total and complete Unity with the Universe, God, Life, Love. In fact, it is our destination, and it is right here already.

Let us get on with the party. How about you open your invitation right now.

And so it is!

Love and Aloha,

Rev. Rita Andriello-Feren