The Power of Gratitude: A Healing No One Expected

In an issue of Hashgacha Pratit, a publication devoted to stories of personal Divine guidance, a father shared a deeply moving account that highlights the transformative power of gratitude.

A Fever That Would Not Pass

“When my daughter was two years old, she developed a fever, something that happens to many children. At first, it seemed like a passing virus. But when the fever did not go down, we took her to the doctor. Blood tests were done and came back normal.

Since the fever persisted for another week, she was referred to the emergency room and hospitalized. There, they ran comprehensive tests and discovered an inflammation that cannot be detected through blood work and can only be seen on an ultrasound. She was treated with intravenous antibiotics and eventually discharged, continuing treatment at home.

Baruch Hashem, her body overcame the illness and the inflammation subsided. But traces remained.”

A Diagnosis That Stayed

“As a result of the inflammation, dehydration was detected in part of her kidneys. The doctor explained that while her kidneys were functioning properly, we would need to return once a year for follow up imaging to monitor the situation and determine whether intervention might be needed.

We asked whether the kidneys could heal from this dehydration. The answer was clear. No. We were told that it could remain stable for many years, but it could not be cured.

There is no need to explain how difficult it is to hear such news. Knowing that our daughter had been completely healthy, and that because of an inflammation not detected in time she would now carry lasting damage, was painful. Still, we accepted it with faith and hope, trusting that she would grow up healthy and bring us much joy.”

Five Years of the Same Answer

“Five years passed. Each annual checkup followed the same pattern. An ultrasound. The doctor repeating nearly the same explanation. My wife asking whether healing was possible. And each time, the same answer. Unfortunately, no.

This year, we came once again for the routine follow up. Our daughter had the ultrasound, and then something entirely unexpected happened.”

“She Has New Kidneys”

“The doctor looked at the results and said, almost in disbelief, that the kidneys had healed. There was no trace of dehydration.

‘You have a child with new kidneys,’ the doctor said with excitement. ‘She is completely healthy.’

We were overwhelmed with joy. We thanked Hashem with all our hearts. Out of immense gratitude to the Creator, I am sharing this story to testify that Hashem heals all flesh and performs wonders that no human doctor can foresee or accomplish.”

The Night Before

“How this miracle came about, I do not know. I was not in heaven and did not see what was decided there. But I will tell you what happened to me the evening before the appointment, and you may draw your own conclusions.

The day before my daughter’s test, I had to undergo a medical procedure myself. Afterward, I took public transportation home. I was exhausted and wondered how to use the ride. I was too tired to study, and we have a custom not to say Tehillim at night.

So I decided to thank Hashem.

I began thanking Him for every kindness, one by one. For my eyes. For my eyebrows. For looking normal. For my beard and sidelocks. For my mind working properly. For my brain, my lungs, my hands and feet. I thanked Hashem in detail for every organ I could think of.

Then I thanked Him for my family. For my children, my sons and daughters, my sons in law and daughters-in-law, my grandchildren. For their health, their wisdom, and the joy they bring into our lives.

Finally, I thanked Hashem for my seven year old daughter with the kidney condition, and I asked that she be completely healed.

I became so immersed in gratitude, so moved by Hashem’s kindness, that tears came to my eyes. When the bus reached my stop, I felt that the ride had been far too short for all the thanks I still owed the Creator.

That was the evening before the doctor’s appointment.

The next day, we were told that our daughter was completely healthy.”