Inspirational Memoirs for Easter Reading

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HOME TOWN TALES
by Philip Gulley
          ©1998 This book was not nearly as funny as Gulley’s I Love You, Miss Huddleston, but it was still a humorous and thoughtful look at small town life and the characters that live it.
          The author, raised Catholic, is a Quaker convert and minister in Indiana. Each section of the book covers one of the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Within each section are humorous, poignant essays that demonstrate these values as played out in the lives of the people in Gulley’s town and in his congregation. When I look at that list of the fruits of the Spirit, I can’t help but think that’s what the world needs more of today, not less of…

HAVE A LITTLE FAITH 
by Mitch Albom
          ©2009 Mitch Albom has done it again. A quick, easy-to-read, inspirational true story --- this one addressing faith lost and faith regained.
          Albom, who visited with an old college professor during his final months and wrote about the wisdom he gained from the beloved teacher in the book Tuesdays with Morrie, was later asked by his childhood rabbi to deliver his eulogy when the time came. As with Morrie, Albom makes regular visits to the rabbi so he can learn more about him before attempting to write the eulogy. Little does he know that those frequent visits between Detroit and New Jersey would span eight years before his services as eulogist would be required.
          Albom, who grew up in a Jewish family in New Jersey, had grown away from his faith in his adult years. He had also married a Christian woman, and they moved with his writing career to Detroit. It was there that he became interested in ministry to the homeless. And it was there that he met an ex-druggie, ex-con preacher who was ministering to the homeless from a dilapidated old church with no heat and a big hole in the roof.
          Between the lives of those two men of God, one Jewish and one Christian, Albom comes to a renewal of his faith. Of the four Mitch Albom books I’ve now read and loved, this one stands out for me as the very best, nothing less than a small miracle. It demonstrates that in our modern world, where religion is so often seen as divisive and hypocritical, it is good people of faith (regardless of differences in their belief systems or religious affiliation) who bring unity and the love of God to a hurting world. Highly recommended.

FRONT PORCH TALES 
by Philip Gulley
          © 1997 Philip Gulley never fails to amuse me. He talks about family, childhood memories, God, his kids, his small town and its lively characters --- and his sense of humor cracks me up.
          The subtitle "Stories of Family, Faith, Laughter and Love" sums up what the book is about. Since the author writes short, concise essays, his books are perfect for pick-me-up or on-the-go reading. I get them in large print so I can read while I trudge along on the treadmill. If inspirational and heart-warming is your style, it’s Gulley’s style too.
          In one story he talks about all the “helpful” parenting advice you get from your childless friends and relatives when you have a baby: ”The worst advice we received was from a man who told us that holding our baby would spoil him. Obviously, he didn’t understand how babies require the intimacy that cuddling provides. Besides, cuddling babies is fun and almost makes up for what our children do to us as teenagers.”