Have a Little Faith: A True Story

by Mitch Albom

But so many people wage wars in God’s name. “Mitch,” the Reb said, “God does not want such killing to go on.” Then why hasn’t it stopped? He lifted his eyebrows. “Because man does.”

From a Sermon by the Reb, 1975 “A man seeks employment on a farm. He hands his letter of recommendation to his new employer. It reads simply, ‘He sleeps in a storm.’ “The owner is desperate for help, so he hires the man. “Several weeks pass, and suddenly, in the middle of the night, a powerful storm rips through the valley. “Awakened by the swirling rain and howling wind, the owner leaps out of bed. He calls for his new hired hand, but the man is sleeping soundly. “So he dashes off to the barn. He sees, to his amazement, that the animals are secure with plenty of feed. “He runs out to the field. He sees the bales of wheat have been bound and are wrapped in tarpaulins. “He races to the silo. The doors are latched, and the grain is dry. “And then he understands. ‘He sleeps in a storm.’ “My friends, if we tend to the things that are important in life, if we are right with those we love and behave in line with our faith, our lives will not be cursed with the aching throb of unfulfilled business. Our words will always be sincere, our embraces will be tight. We will never wallow in the agony of ‘I could have, I should have.’ We can sleep in a storm. “And when it’s time, our good-byes will be complete.”

Having more does not keep you from wanting more. And if you always want more—to be richer, more beautiful, more well known—you are missing the bigger picture, and I can tell you from experience, happiness will never come.”