Anyone who has lived long enough knows that there are many uncertainties in life that can transform the trajectory of the future. Yet our past experiences are not going to change—they are locked in place. In order to be permanently free from our past, we must remove the lock, evaluate each experience, and decide if there is a lesson to be learned. In an inspirational memoir, Richard Kirby Payne does just that as he intertwines biblical principles with his personal experiences, dreams, and original poems. Beginning with his childhood in West Virginia, Payne reveals a glimpse into his coming-of-age journey and how he discovered his passions for teaching, programming, and math, became active in sports and his church, and decided his future career path. After graduating from college and landing his first job, Payne discloses how he met his future wife eight years later and their eventual choice to adopt children. Throughout his story, Payne demonstrates how God used his struggles to help him lean into Him when life unfolded differently than he expected. Remove the Lock shares the uplifting story of a Christian man’s journey through life as he leaned on his faith to carry him through his decisions, struggles, joys, and losses.