I just finished reading Mitch Albom's newest book "Have A Little Faith", and just like any other Mitch Albom book...it was AWESOME with a capitally-gigantic "A". Whenever I read his books, I'll always find tears trickling down the side of my cheeks, because of his utmost sincerity and humility. "Have A Little Faith" was no exception:')
It's about an unusual request: an eighty-two-year-old rabbi from Mitch's old hometown asks him to deliver his eulogy. Feeling unworthy, Mitch insists on understanding the man better, which throws him back into a world of faith he'd left many many many years ago. Meanwhile, closer to his current home, Mitch becomes involved with a Detroit pastor - a reformed drug dealer and convict - who preaches to the poor and homeless in a decaying church with a hole in its roof.
I love Mitch Albom's style of writing...it's like his signatory kind of thing. There aren't really any fancy words. Mitch likes to talk deeeeeeeep subjects, touching stories..stuff that really captures me, but he writes in a manner that leaves no one guessing at what he says. He's got a way of helping you walk a mile in his shoes as he learns to walk a few miles in someone else’s shoes (just like To Kill A Mockingbird :D). It is one man's journey, but it is everyone's story.
This book raised a lot of questions in my mind. It led me to reflect on my own religion, Christianity, and how much I've changed throughout my 15 and a half years of life. In particular, it made me think about how Christianity influences my outlook on the events of my life, and my hopes for the future and the way I interact with peeps (be it non-christians or christians) around me.
One of my favourite parts:
"I had a doctor once who was an atheist. This doctor, he liked to jab me and my beliefs. He used to schedule my appointments deliberately on saturdays, so I would have to call the receptionist and explain why, because of my religion, that wouldn't work."
Nice guy, I said.
"Anyhow, one day, I read in the paper that his brother had died. So I made a condolence call."
After the way he treated you?
"In this job," The Reb(Rabbi) said, "you don't retaliate."
I laughed.
"So I go to his house, and he sees me. I can tell he is upset. I tell him I am sorry for his loss. And he says, with an angry face, 'I envy you.' "
" ' Why do you envy me?' I said.
" ' Because when you lose someone you love, you can curse God. You can yell. You can blame him. You can demand to know why. But I don't believe in God. I'm a doctor! And I couldn't help my brother!'
"He was near tears. 'Who do I blame?' he kept asking me. 'There is no God. I can only blame myself.' "
The Reb's face tightened, as is in pain.
"That," he said, softly, "is a terrible self-indictment."
Worse than an unanswered prayer?
"Oh yes. It is far more comforting to think God listened and said no, than to think that nobody's out there."
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The next book I'm gonna finish will probably be "Mister God, This Is Anna", followed by "Apache", then "The Blind Side". And then I can finally start on DAN BROWN'S THE LOST SYMBOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!