Have a Little Faith: A True Story

This was one of the most beautiful books and stories that I have read in a very long time. I even highlighted some meaningful passages to reread, and shed some tears while reading others. This is a book for all spiritually minded readers and even for those who aren't.

This book would resonate with a vast number of baby boomers who were raised in the traditions of their faith but who, because of the obligations of everyday existence within the rat race, allowed those traditions to fade. It's not a book that blames nor shames. It is an invitation to enjoy warm truth enveloped in hope. Thank you, Mitch Albom, for another sweet, poignant masterpiece.

"Have a Little Faith", by Mitch Albom, is basically two different stories about three men, two religious leaders from different faiths; Albom's childhood Rabbi (Reb), Henry a Christian Pastor from the inner city of Detroit and the author Mitch Albom. The story places Albom into two different religions, two different cultures and the worlds of those who have and those who have not. It is the tale of his encounters with these men and his skepticism of all religions. The story starts with Mitch Albom's childhood Rabbi asking him the favor of writing and delivering his eulogy when he passes after service one day. He is caught off guard by rabbi's request because he no longer lives in the area and is not a regular participant at services. Finally he agrees to the request with the condition that he gets to know him better as a man. Reb agrees to his condition and this makes Mitch a bit uncomfortable because he know it will put him back into his synagogue and faith he left behind years ago. He begins his weekly trips back and forth from Detroit to visit the Reb, with many health scares over the years and learns the life story of Reb and the strength of his faith thru many of life's trials. He nick names him the `singing rabbi' because of his love for song. Mitch begins to develop a relationship with Reb that becomes unexpected to him and it opens his eyes to his upbringing and the faith he never understand. Closer to home in Detroit, Albom is looking for an organization to support and encounters Henry a Christian Pastor, a reformed drug dealer and convict. Henry, the leader for "I Am My Brother's Keeper Ministries" preaches to the poor, cares for the homeless, criminals, addicts and anyone who needs him, for free because his church comes first. With any religion Albom is skeptic, but he is very skeptical about Henry's motives and his faith. After several meetings Albom finally decides to visit Henry's church without telling him and he discovers that even with a hole in the decaying church's roof Henry stays positive and faithful that God with take care of it when the time is right. Obstacles will not stop him for caring for the needy and doing the job he promised God he would do in His name. As he goes between the worlds of these two men he knows how different each is yet he sees how similar they are in their survival, faith and trust in God. Reb embraces his retirement, health issues and his own death as it approaches and Pastor Henry trusts that his mission for the needy will be met and his church will remain open. He doesn't understand it and is suspicious at times but as the years go on he sees how their faith transforms their lives. The ending is exactly what is expected, Mitch Albom giving Reb's eulogy, but what isn't expected is how the lives of these two different men change how Mitch Albom sees his own upbringing, his faith and the trust people place in God. It transformed him and fulfilled a part of his life that was empty. This is an easy read book and not a religious book by any means. It is the true, honest story of Mitch Albom's journey of regaining his faith and losing his cynical outlook on religion. It is the touching story of an ex-convict who changed his ways to help others and the story of a rabbi who enjoyed his life to the fullest to the very end. It is a book of experiences. Mitch Albom did a wonderful job with this story and I highly recommend it. Once you start reading you won't put it down and it will make you think once you begin to close the cover on the final page.

"Have a Little Faith" is Mitch Albom's inspirational follow-up to his "Tuesdays With Morrie." As such, it is fine, along the same track.He is asked by his former hometown (New Jersey) rabbi (Albert Lewis) to write his eulogy, so he accepts but wants to learn about the guy as a human being over a period of his final eight years of life. In the process he also comes in contact with a pastor (Henry Covington) in his recent hometown (Detroit) while reporting on a homeless shelter. In the process of learning more about each religious leader he gains insights about what faith is.Here are some things he learns in getting to know both men:1. Rituals are a major part of the rabbi's life. Faith is more about doing than believing. It is how from generation to generation we remain connected. Since faith hadn't meant much to Mitch, he would try to understand how it put the rabbi at peace. Even in retirement the rabbi kept a community, through his address book, by calling and sending emails for milestones - birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Even during times of horror/war you an find small acts of kindness. Be satisfied with simple things, the rabbi had learned from the Depression. People want to be known, hence there is immortality in being remembered. Mitch had learned from the rabbi that according to the Talmud, G-d didn't like Jews celebrating when the Egyptians died during the Exodus, because G-d loved their enemies too. When asking the rabbi how he knows there is a G-d, the rabbi says there is always something we can't understand and that's were G-d begins - the unknown. Mitch asks the rabbi if our nature is evil - nowhere in liturgy did G-d create bad things - we were left with free will.2. The pastor first felt faith while in jail after a life of crime, after first promising to G-d to change his life after nearly being killed during his crime years, then rising in the church ranks from elder to pastor. He wondered why he had been born and came across a biblical passage about Job cursing his birth. Even when cursing G-d when something bad happens there is even some confort to think G-d listened but said "No." Throughout his life of crime he kept on getting second chances - he thought maybe G-d had punished him when his young daughter died. Better to have known the child even for a few short years than never at all, hence still some good. You are not your past. A life is made up of many lives - the most recent life is the most important. Forgiving is important - don't hold grudges - nothing haunts like things you don't say - loving thoughts. Mitch was able to understand the pastor best by talking to his congregants, what things he had done to help them. Mitch asked the pastor if he wanted to do better financially - he said he was meant to be with the poor.3. Mitch read about different religions as being connected to something big while doing something small.4. From both the rabbi and pastor he learned that people expect too much from marriage. Commitment is the most important part. Tribulations will occur (especially in the pastor's life), but getting past them is what makes the marriage endure.5. How can religions co-exist. Teaching that human life began with just one man, Adam, which produced all varieties - the genius of life is variety. - most religions teach to love your neighbor. As for the afterlife, just believing something exists is enough.6. The eulogy included Mitch's learning that different faiths can work side by side. It was 'majestic' that the rabbi could not speak at his eulogy - that's where faith comes in. It is a summary of memories where each of the congregants will have some while going back home. The whole purpose of Mitch during these eight years was not really the eulogy, but the journey to belief.In summary, Mitch delved into the lives of two religious leaders and came away with an understanding that the real fulfillment of a person is that one can improve if they have a little faith in something bigger than them. The book is short and an easy read.

I simply love this book. I love the beautiful way Mitch Albom draws the threads of a story together, to form a tapestry of emotion and faith. Could not stop the tears, at the close of the story...what inspiring lives. Thank you, for sharing it with us.

Great book written by a great author!

Mitch Albom sings the soul electric with this very moving book of visiting with men of faith. Who knew I would be crying at the conclusion? This experience has touched my heart.

I liked Mitch's style of writing. Honest and direct with hope and warmth.All his books are thought provoking and are full of life lessons without being preachy.

I really liked this story and it’s a true story. Well told too

Professional seller and a great book. Well worth buying!

Loved the book. Love everything mitch writes! Do give it a read

We transport between two cultures, two faiths two men of God . And find that though they do not preach to us, God is shown living through and with them.

Das Buch spricht eine Seite des Lebens an, die wesentlich ist. Man kann meinen, sich noch so sehr von Gott entfernt zu haben, wenn eine echte Sehnsucht nach Leben in Wahrheit vorhanden ist, benutzt Gott wundervolle Wege Sein, Gottes Wesen, bewußt und lieb zu machen und Vertrauen in IHN zu stärken..Der Autor vermittelt das durch sein Leben und die Art wie es schreibt sehr gut.