For several years I have been leading Christ-centered chair yoga classes here on the west coast of Florida. First, just on Tuesdays. Then, at the students’ request, I added a second class on Thurdays.
The class became a community.
New friendships have been forged. Old friendships have been deepened. We look forward to lunch out once-a-month and, just before things shut down, we even enjoyed an evening with a Christian comedienne.
In the blink of an eye, things changed.
We were all on high alert.
Stay home.
Social distance.
Wear a mask.
And, for goodness’ sake, wash your hands.
But what about my people? I wondered.
What would we do without our classes?
Before I could begin to process it all, I realized Facebook Live was the answer.
Mind you, I knew nothing about Facebook Live. Had never used it. Has never even read about it.
What I did know was that most of my students were already on Facebook.
If you've watched, you will know that I am a total amateur. Nonetheless, it works!
My regular students can continue to attend class at the scheduled times, helping us all to maintain our pre-pandemic routines. If unavailable for the regular class time, they can do the class later since the recorded versions are posted on my FB page.
What you may not know is that, because of this new temporary format, class attendance is now far-reaching. Our family and friends are tuning in up and down the east coast. My sorority sisters, friends from my mom’s church are doing the class with us. People in Oregon are watching the recorded versions because of the time difference. A husband and wife in Tallahassee are our newest class members.
In the past 24 hours, 199 people had viewed yesterday’s class!
Can you believe it? I am blown away by it all.
Although it can never replace our being together face-to-face, FB live is an encouraging and fun substitute for a time such as this
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I call this whole experience one of my “but God” moments.
When I am faced with an obstacle that appears insurmountable, God always comes through.
In other words, “ I was about to give up, but God…..” had other plans.
God always has the perfect solution. I must be open to hearing it.
God’s voice may rise above the din, but its lyrical beauty is best heard when we get quiet and listen with our hearts as well as our ears.
So many times in my life when I was about to give up, the miraculous occurred. Suddenly, the answer came. Not just any answer but one that was absolutely perfect, one that I could never, ever have come up with on my own.
Circumstances were shutting down our classes, but God had the answer to not only keep them going, but to expand the class size to include untold numbers far and wide, more than I could ever have done made contact with in person.
All I can do is smile and shake my head.
His wonders never cease to amaze me!
God, You are the answer to every question, the solution to every puzzle, the unguent for every pain. Thank You for Your great love. May we reflect Your great Love every day. Amen.