The Stationary Activity Center

Nathan Stam
Children/Communications Pastor

Ahhhh...the Exersaucer. Six years ago I would have had no conception of such a thing. But now do I ever. It is one of the greatest inventions of all time. It's close on the heels of the boppy pillow, wheel and the iPod. I'm not sure of the etymology of the term, but it does resemble a saucer and I guess it does provide the baby with some sort of "exercise". Or maybe it's meant more in the lines of, "You can get some exercise while your baby plays happily in the little saucer contraption." I've also heard of it described as the "Stationary Activity Center". Well, that might be the technical description, but to Tobin, our seven month old, it is known as Freedom in all of its new-found glory.

Tobin is our third child and we're used to the pattern and progression by now. This is a time in the life of our baby that we cherish. These are the "stationary" days.  He is going through a period where he's content in the Exersaucer (for hours, even!) but pretty soon that's going to change. Very soon. Tobin is going to get bored with being "stationary" and he's going to need to be down on the floor where he can crawl and get into trouble. That means no more reading for Daddy on the couch watching the little fellow out of the corner of my eye to see if he threw up on himself. No more running into the next room to grab something that I forgot or to look something up on the computer. Those days will be gone. They better be, or the next thing I know he'll be trying to crawl up the chimney.


As I was thinking about the term, "Stationary Activity Center," it made me think about the local church. Is that an accurate description of what we're all about? Is the church just a building where folks can come and play with different toys and be entertained? That kind of stings a little bit just to think it might be the case, doesn't it? Are we just a big, grown-up exersaucer with a few bells and whistles? Some mirrors and soft chewable objects. Completely harmless and safe?

Or...are we the People of God, the Temple of God, the Body of Christ? As a church are we actively engaged in loving our community and those around us with the Gospel? It might be a little bit more dangerous. We might get into a little bit of trouble. We might crawl to where (according to some) we're not supposed to go. We might occasionally get hurt. But that's part of growing up and it sure sounds to me a lot more like what we're called to do as followers of Christ!

In a few weeks it's going to be time to take the exersaucer back up into the attic. Tobin is going to start roaming the floors and we're going to have to blockade the kitchen and the stairs. I'm going to have to start paying better attention. It won't be long after that when he'll take his first steps. And the next thing I know he'll be wanting to wrestle. Then he'll be wanting the keys to the 2000 Camry. It's all a part of growing up and as much as I'll miss the exersaucer days I can't wait to see what kind of man he grows up to be. So, as much as I'll miss you, goodbye, Stationary Activity Center. Better things are yet to come!