A 12-year-old survivor of the Texas flash floods, which claimed 130 lives, performed a rewritten version of 'Hallelujah' on TV to honor the victims. The young singer's rendition of the song, which she co-wrote with her mother, went viral on social media. Before her performance, the girl spoke about her faith and belief in God. The performance was followed by a surprise visit from Christian music star Lauren Daigle, who praised the young singer for turning a tragedy into something beautiful.
4 months ago
A month prior to the report, massive flash floods in Texas resulted in 130 fatalities, including 27 girls from the Christian Camp Mystic 1. This devastating event prompted a young survivor to channel her experience into a tribute 1.
Twelve-year-old Skyler Derrington, a survivor of the Camp Mystic tragedy, collaborated with her mother to rewrite the lyrics to Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" 1. Her poignant rendition, which honored the lives lost, quickly gained viral traction on social media 1. Derrington's lyrics vividly recount the unfolding disaster, stating, "On July the 4th, 2025th, the waters rose and we went adrift," and acknowledge the support received by survivors: "You clothed us, fed us, brushed our hair" 1. The song concludes with a message of enduring hope: "We did our best, we left a mark, a light that shines within the dark" 1.
Skyler Derrington's powerful song and performance were rooted in her strong Christian faith 1. She publicly affirmed her belief, stating, "I have always been a Christian, and I believe God is with me no matter what happens" 1. Her acapella performance on Fox & Friends, delivered with a rich alto voice, deeply moved the audience and newsroom, leaving many misty-eyed 1.
Following her emotional performance, Skyler was surprised by her idol, Christian music star Lauren Daigle 1. Daigle offered words of encouragement, commending the young singer for transforming a tragedy into "something beautiful" 1.
How does faith offer solace in tragedy?
Faith offers solace in tragedy by providing a framework through which suffering can be understood, by revealing God's compassionate presence, and by instilling hope in eternal life and the ultimate triumph over evil .
The Christian faith teaches that suffering, though painful, can have meaning and become an act of love and entrustment to God . By contemplating Christ's Passion and death on the Cross, believers find inspiration and strength to turn away from resentment and grow through pain into new life . Christ's suffering demonstrates how to make sense of our own, offering an opportunity to imitate Him in doing the Father's will . This perspective allows suffering to enrich both the individual and the entire Church .
In moments of great trial, faith assures believers of God's closeness and compassionate love . As Saint Bernard of Clairvaux noted, "God cannot suffer, but he can suffer with" . God became man in Jesus Christ to suffer with humanity in a real way, in flesh and blood . This divine solidarity means that in all human suffering, we are joined by one who experiences and carries that suffering with us, bringing consolation and hope . The light of faith does not eliminate suffering, but it provides a guiding lamp in the darkness, offering an accompanying presence and a history of goodness that touches every story of suffering .
Faith instills a profound hope that transcends present suffering. The event of Christ's Resurrection reveals eternal life and confirms that death, pain, betrayal, and suffering do not have the final word in history . This hope is not merely an expectation of a greater good, but a gaze on the present that is full of significance, knowing that Christ's presence is near to the sick and suffering . Even death can be illumined and experienced as the ultimate call to faith, a confident abandonment to God who keeps us steadfast . This real hope of eternal life, rooted in the Paschal Mystery, provides a new and definitive reason for hope in the face of suffering and death, encouraging perseverance through difficulties .
Suffering, when embraced with faith, can become a moment of growth in faith and love . It is in weakness and suffering that God's power triumphs . Those who suffer for their faith, like the martyrs, serve as witnesses, showing others the way to prefer goodness to comfort and to live life to the full, even in the face of adversity . This capacity to suffer for truth is a measure of humanity and depends on the hope we bear within us .