FROM PUTTAPARTHI...THE TEST OF FAITH !!!

[Guest guest]

Here's one of Swami's stories, a story of faith - or rather lack of faith.

Once a village in India was inflicted with severe famine. The rivers were dried up; the trees were reduced to branches and twigs. And there was no sign of any greenery anywhere. The villagers were in torment. A solution had to be found. The elders of the village discussed the matter over and over again. But couldn't come up with a solution.

At last, they met a 'sage' in a nearby village. Hearing their sufferings, the sage replied: " I shall come to your village. Instruct all the villagers to assemble at the village square this coming Thursday at five p.m. We'll pray to get the rains; it is sure such a collective prayer will be answered. "

Hearing this, the people were overjoyed. Everyone anxiously waited for the day. At last the day arrived. Even before five o' clock the ground was full. The sage arrived, ascended on to the stage, and looked around. He looked around for quite some time.

And then he said. " However loud you pray, there is going to be no positive result! "

It was unbearable for the villagers. They had expected so much!

But now the sage continued: " You have no faith! All of you have come to pray for rains haven't you? But not even one amongst you has brought an umbrella!!! "

" If we are God, and Swami keeps telling us that we are God, what is the need to pray to God? "

When Swami was asked a similar question, He said, " Yes, that's correct. However, until you realize that you are God, keep praying. "

" Beloved Baba, we know that you are with us every moment of our lives; loving us, guiding us, supporting us and encouraging us to have faith in you and faith in ourselves. And to understand that whatever happens in our lives is for our own spiritual growth. Sweet Lord, we love you and put our trust in you. "

Actually, this is the prayer that Swami gave to the students and He has told that if we have the steadfastness, the enthusiasm, and the determination to reach our goal, we shall surely succeed.

http://media.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_04/01JUL06/lets-speak-with-him.htm

PS: One day, when you will come to see Me, I will receive you very nicely and talk to you; another day when you come, I might ask you, 'Who asked you to come? Please go! I may be very curt and rude! You must treat both evenly! There should be no difference! There must be equanimity for both the treatments! You shouldn't react. When I am kind, you are happy; and when I am not kind, you are unhappy! That is not the characteristic of a true devotee. " – Sathya Sai Baba