Have a Little Faith

Growing up in NJ as a young Jewish boy living life carefree but connected through his parents on the faith so dear to them, one never knows what will happen when one continues to practice the faith (albeit through the motions), live a good life and be open to the possibilities.  Guess what happens?  The young boy grows up a successful author and sportswriter and is called to assist his former rabbi on one last life request, write his eulogy.  The only problem is that the rabbi isn’t dead and has a number of years left in life.  This real life story, reminiscent of Mitch Albom’s first book Tuesday’s the Morrie, Have a Little Faith describes how he handles one of the toughest tasks in his life.  Albom, who for years describes his interaction with his faith similar to that of a bystander, was never really involved in a church, except for his annual return to his parent’s synagogue.  The story actually brings in two faith traditions with two very different religious leaders, his own leader, Rabbi Albert Lewis, and then Pastor Henry Covington, an ex-convict turned good.  The stories of the two leaders intertwine with some interesting commonalities, both men lost a child during their life and both were referred to as “reb,” a coincidence… hmmm.  Covington’s past certainly is an amazing turn-around as he states, “I broke every commandment” and almost faced death due to theft, drugs, and other breaking of laws. Henry had an “awakening” when he was hiding behind garbage cans after stealing drugs from dealers he had worked with previously.  He and his wife then went cold-turkey and began the process of turning their life around and giving back to others eventually ending up in Detroit as the assistant pastor and then pastor.  Covington’s church has a hole in the roof, limited money, and a ton of people who need his assistance.  In true “Albom” style, he opens himself to the possibilities of really hearing what it is to live and help people through two very different ways, two different faith traditions.  If you don’t shed a tear or two after reading this one, not sure you ever will.  What a beautiful story about living in a world where one is called and the other asks to be called and then the two actually do something to serve others.  We all meet great people in our lives from time to time.  Albom once again opens himself to meeting greatness, ever so reluctantly at first but then gives all of his readers a chance to experience his growth moment.  Here is an excerpt from the eulogy:

I didn't want to eulogize you. I was afraid. I felt a congregant could never eulogize his leader. But I realize now that thousands of congregants will eulogize you today, in their car rides home, over the dinner table. A eulogy is no more than a summation of memories, and we will never forget you, because we cannot forget you, because we will miss you every day. To imagine a world without you in it is to imagine a world with a little less God in it, and yet, because God is not a diminishing resource, I cannot believe that.

This one should be given to anyone who needs to understand the meaning of life.  Thanks for suggesting this book and Mr. Albom continues to illustrate why saying yes can prove life altering!