Thursday, November 25, 2010

Have a Little Faith

I love author Mitch Albom. I read his book "Tuesdays with Morrie" back in high school. I recently read "The 5 People You Meet In Heaven" too. There's just something about his style of writing that pulls you in and keeps you completely and totally sucked in his world.
Last night I finished "Have a Little Faith." I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started this book. I actually saw the book listed in a magazine and thought I'd better see if I could find it. The library once again came to my rescue.
This book reminded me of "Tuesdays with Morrie" a little bit. In the beginning of the book he is asked by his childhood rabbi if he would give the eulogy at his funeral when he passed away. Mitch Albom was thinking the man had weeks or days left and decided he'd best learn about "the man" rather than just "the rabbi." Thus begins his visits. His visits continue for EIGHT YEARS. Along the way you begin to hear about a pastor named Henry Covington. I couldn't quite figure out the connection between the three until about 3/4 of the way through the book, but I finally got it.
I think the reason I enjoyed this book so much is because 1-it did remind me of Tuesdays with Morrie & I love that book and 2- ever since my AP European History class in 10th grade with Mrs. Morgan, I have had a growing curiosity to learn more about other religions.
This book gave me the chance to see that religion isn't static and it isn't a completely different idea in my LDS church from what it is in a Jewish synogog (sp?) or a "Christian" church with a Baptist like pastor. The main idea is the same and the people are the same. Mitch Albom mentions that he always separated "us" from "them" and I can see how so many people do that (and how easy it is to do). Perhaps if more people could erase the "us" and "them" line, things would be much better in different places of the world. Easier said than done, I know!
Anyway, I thought this book was a really good one and wanted to tell you that if you have the chance, you should read it. And, if you haven't read his other books, give them a try - I can almost guarantee you'll be hooked just as quickly as I was!