A Happy Matthew after figuring out there was a second lock at the top of the window
My adaptations this week included little clamp locks on the rails of the window…allowing the windows to only be opened just a crack. Troupe compound analysis: doors…check, windows…check…now we can take a deep breath. Or can we? The very next day Matthew realized the nice selling feature of the sliding style window…in the open position if one lifts up on the sash the sash can be removed for easy cleaning, or in Matthew’s case, another exit point from our home. He was found with one leg out of the window…from his raised ranch bedroom window. The fix…a piece of copper pipe placed in the gap at the top of the window. the copper pipe is shorter than the window and cannot be seen…Matthew is still trying to find out how he successfully lifted the window up and out…pray that he does not find the copper pipe.
The sash Matthew removed from his window
As you can imagine, the past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity in the Troupe household…Matthew has to be supervised every second of the time he is awake…for his own safety. I have to be honest and tell you that we are exhausted. Most of the time we keep a positive attitude, laugh a lot, and admire his ability to problem solve. Other times we have broke down and wept at the “what could have happened” scenarios that fly through the mind when you start to come down from the adrenaline high. How far could Matthew run in 30 seconds? How about 5 minutes? What if his attempts of entering a neighbors home he encounters a dog who doesn’t know him? He has no concept of a moving car, what if…? I know that we are not supposed to live in stress and fear…but we also need to be diligent in keeping him safe, on guard at all times.
“Above else, guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; keep your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:23-27
The past few weeks of being in the highest level of security keeping guard of where Matthew is and what he is doing at all times made me think of another area of my life. My faith walk. Do I guard it with the same intensity we do with Matthew…or do I just react when there is a breach or a known threat…only calling out to God for help and relief when it is storming and there is turmoil. Sometimes those kind of prayers can be the most productive…
Can't get the door open? Matthew trying the window
“What seem our worst prayers may really be, in God’s eyes, our best. Those, I mean, which are least supported by devotional feeling. For these may come from a deeper level than feeling. God sometimes seems to speak to us most intimately when he catches us, as it were, off our guard.” C.S. Lewis
One danger I want to avoid though is to always be in a reactive mode…only responding to the emergencies of life. My prayer and action for this week and the near future is to continue to build my offense. Time in the Word, time for prayer…time to plot and plan new window and door gadgets. My next worry is Matthew getting a hold of my reciprocating saw…I could see him cutting a hole right through the wall and walking out.
Many have asked if it is okay to share this blog about our Lessons from Matthew…not only is okay, but we emphatically ask that you would. We welcome any chance to show how good God is and how he is working through the power of prayer.
You are in my prayers. May God give you the wisdom needed to raise Matthew for His honor and glory!