Herman had an unfortunate injury and was forced to lay in bed and think. His grandmother told him to "ask our dear Lord why He spared his life on that terrible night, since surely it was to do something for Him." Soon after that little Herman received a special gift from God. Herman's father became very sick and "lay, day after day, night after night, in profound sleep." Max realized "My long sickness has made me another man." The story illustrates how God uses affliction to develop spiritual life in people.