_________________ Divine Grace -By Anoop & Neelu Mehta With Humble pranams, we surrender ourselves at the lotus feet of our lord, in gratitude for His love and guidance. His presence in our life has brought personal development and healing, to us He has been like a family head, a father and mother who has encouraged and filled our hearts with love. Swami said, "Life is a journey, enjoy it." Our life is like an eternal highway, never ending, always leading either to a brighter day or into the wild darkness. Sometimes it may be stormy and at other smooth, some moments of wild temper and some of warm love. We feel frightened. If only we surrender completely and cultivate the faith that, such experiences come to us with a purpose, we will never come upon grief. God does not demand great things from us. He wants us to walk the little way. All he asks is this, that you do your duty with devotion and dedication. God is pleased with little things, small prayers, small sacrifices, and small charity. A little service, little prayer with devotion pleases Him. This life of mine appears and I recognised the familiar dark, dead-ended street, a road leading nowhere... Then suddenly, a great light came into my life. Year 1995, I got a small calendar of SRI SATHYA SAI BABA having Shirdi SAI in the heart which came in the box of Jet-met mosquito repellent. Little I knew then, that God was preparing the ground of my heart, for the planting of His word. I arose from my darkness to embark upon a spiritual journey that continues till now... I began to believe in miracles, for I had just received one. After that I was filled with an inexpressible and glorious peace, for I began receiving the goal of my faith; the salvation of my soul. I had taken my first step, off course with His help, but the next hundred by Him made me willing to face the journey of life and learn to live with the difficulties. Year 1996, Noida, India. We (me, my husband and my children) are all very fortunate to have the benefit of Swami's teaching and have experienced and witnessed His miracles. His instruments(devotees) working tirelessly to spread the message of love, service and sacrifice. Year 2005, many people said you are going abroad leave your Baba here and go out and enjoy your life. But my heart was always repeating, how can I enjoy my life without my beloved Sai Maa, it was just impossible. My mother taught me, that we have the power of making choice. So, I choose Him not the world. God uses His children as a resource to carry out His work. When He gives work, He also gives the strength to accomplish it. We have to decide either to take part and be His instrument or just be a witness. Baba has His own plans. We did not know much about Lagos and Sai activites. But before we could embark on our new journey, we saw a documentary on Sai service in African continent. We were eager to meet the Indians working tirelessly serving the needy. And as Swami had planned, we met Mr. Shakaran & family, the very next day at Lagos, they were our neighbors and their son was also studying in Puttaparthy School, it was not coincidence it was divine plan. Then we met Dr. Jairam & family, their sons had also studied at Puttaparthy College, and lead the Sai activities in Lagos. I recall a dream, he gave me name "Asthalaskshmi" and asked me "where is my Butto" (the red dot used my Hindu ladies" I said it is there and he said NO. Then with his mere will, he created kumkum, and yellow powder, mixed together with milk and applied on my forehead and a beautiful design, actually it was not the design, he was drawing my destiny, after that my life was completely transformed. There is a saying in his monthly calendar that dreams relating to god is real (21st july). The Vibhuti i.e. holy ash began to manifest from/on pictures of Swami as well as other Gods and Goddess. The garlands placed on these pictures lengthen, flowers change colour as a sign of divine presence. and the most important that vibhuti was shown in different forms, like OM written in different languages, Allah in urdu, Jesus Christ, Bhudha mahavir, Iyappa, Ganesha with his vahan, the mouse, Mother Lakshmi, Ma Durga, Guru Nanak, Guru Gobind Singhji to prove the point that visions are many but the God is one. Baba's Vibhuti cured aliments, provided peace, brought joy, reunited families, made His presence felt to all who surrendered in faith. God obviously had a plan, He had visioned His work, to uplift and transform. When Vibuthi blessing came, all my focus and energy got directd to him. We considered Baba as our family head, who was present with us every moment of our life. I recall with gratitude a lesson that, every moment of our life, is like valuable gems, which we must cherish and fill with Love for God and His children. God is our friend - the friend of all friends - the one constant, unchanging friend. He is available to us all the twenty - four hours of the day and night. He is ever ready to help us. How many of us seek his help? After knowing Swami, our family is increasing everyday as a Sai family. I am grateful to all of them, for their love, prayers, faith and support as I am unable to mention all the names. As for us, coming to Nigeria was a journey to self-peace, we believe that the purpose of our life is to love God and serve His children and perhaps, the simplest and most efficacious method of sadhana that a family can practice together, is that of kirtan. Remember his name and spend time in His Glory. Let your love for god express itself in action of love and service to those around you. Om Sai Ram. Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavantu! __._,_.___ Divine Grace- revised.doc. __,_._,___
