Develop a Discipleship System
'Life Can Change in Just a Moment'
By Diana Sanchez-Bushong
This summer we have seen several floods and fires throughout the United States. One of the most devastating is the flooding on the Guadalupe River in the Texas hill country. Countless people have lost their lives, their loved ones, their homes and businesses. In response to this, pastor and hymn-writer Carolyn Gillette has written a hymn that speaks to this grief. She has graciously given permission for its use in worship.
Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is a mother, grandmother, pastor and a hymn writer. Her hymns are sung throughout the U.S. and overseas. They are posted on thousands of websites and published in over twenty books, including four that she has written (her most recent book is "I Sing to My Savior: New Hymns from the Stories in the Gospel of Luke"). Her hymns and stories about them have been in The New Yorker, Sojourners, Christian Century, Christian Reflection (Baylor Univ.), Washington Post, Philadelphia Inquirer, NPR, PBS-TV and other media. Her 500+ hymn texts can be found at carolynshymns.com.
Life Can Change In Just a Moment
CONVERSE 8.7.8.7 D ("What a Friend We Have in Jesus”)
Life can change in just a moment; life is fragile, so we pray:
God, we grieve the mighty torrent that has swept so much away.
Storm and flood have overtaken people, places we hold dear.
In this nightmare, hearts are breaking! Hold your hurting people here.
God of mercy, we are grieving for the people who have died—
and for families who are suffering. Lord, our hearts are broken wide.
Every person has a story. Every one is treasured, too.
God, we beg you; by your mercy, hold your people close to you.
Christ who blessed the little children, Christ who calmed the mighty storm,
Christ who reached in love to poor ones, to the outcast, to the worn—
Some led strangers through the waters, saving life— as best they could.
Some gave their own lives for others, all to serve the common good.
Life can change in just an instant: life is fragile, so we pray:
May we treasure every moment. May we trust in Jesus’ Way.
As we grieve what’s so distressing, hold us close, O God above.
May we use our time for blessing neighbors, strangers with your love.
Tune: Charles Crozat Converse, 1868
Alternative Tune: EBENEZER (“Come, O Spirit, Dwell Among Us”)
Text: Copyright © 2025 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Email: [email protected]. Web Site: www.carolynshymns.com.
Free permission is given to churches that want to use this hymn in worship, including streaming online.
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