Buck Naked

“Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you said so, I will let down the nets.” Luke 5:5 NIV

A dear friend of ours taught in the art department at Fort Hays State for 30 years. His family includes some of the most creative people I have ever met. He explained one time what it feels like to do an art show. He would spend large amounts of time creating these sculptures. Some of his creations were large and heavy, it was a lot of work. After pouring his heart and soul into it, he would sometimes put a collection of work together and put it on display for people to see. Some people loved it. Then, some old donkey like me might walk in and say, “I don’t get it”. He said it felt like standing naked in front of complete strangers.

In a way, I am learning what that feels like. These posts are helping my heart and I sincerely hope they help someone else. But the story behind why you are seeing them is as relevant as anything I will ever write. I have always liked to write, but about 11 years ago I felt like God was trying to tell me something. We were in the middle of some struggles with Korbin. Everything we could find to read was written from either a clinically medical perspective or a research based educational perspective. We found very little written from a parent’s perspective. I saw the need, then I got this urging that I was supposed to write it. “You want me to do what?!”

I want you to write a book. I laughed out loud. But I felt it, I prayed about it. What seemed sort of far-fetched appeared more and more clear as I looked for a way around it. Mary and I talked about it and we were convinced it had everything to do with Korbin. Was it possible for us to help other parents? Specifically, I saw a chasm of missing fathers. Moms are far more resilient than dads. I call it “momma lion” mode. I did not want to be missing in any way, so I started thinking about what needed to be said. I agreed with God that it needed to be done, and please re-read that sentence. “I agreed”. I am positive God laughs out loud sometimes.

Shortly after this alignment of will, Jordyn was killed in that car accident. The book left my mind. But it came back. I was out trying to sell insurance and as is sometimes the case, stories were exchanged. In the middle of one of these conversations, a client out of thin air said, “I think you’re supposed to write a book. You know anything about that?” I am not making this up. I’ve been working on it off and on since. About a year ago it hit me that it needed to be done. Finish the job. With the ten-year anniversary coming up the timing seemed like a good target. It was in that process that the devotionals started. But the work continued, until now.

So, the book – “Peace is possible” is done. It is not great art like our friend produced in his career. I have no delusion about me being a writer or me having anything to say the world cannot survive without. However, it is an outpouring of our story related to Korbin. Unfortunately, it is also an outpouring of our story related to what we went through when Jordyn went home.

Next week, on the 10-year anniversary, I will include a link from which you can download a copy. It won’t cost anything, but it will be available. We will also have some printed copies. Those won’t cost anything either. But some will be available. There is nothing wrong with selling books, however, I do not think we are supposed to do that. The story we have is just that. It’s our story to tell. It’s His to use.

Just like the art shows our friend used to do, some will like it, while others laugh at it. I am not concerned with response, although I now know what he meant by feeling naked. I am only concerned with being obedient. This has been a call inside my heart for a decade. It’s just time to let you in on it, because He said so.

Do you have any calls inside your heart? If not, ask specifically, listen harder.

What are you going to do about it?

Challenge: Maybe it’s time to get buck naked.

Rick Claiborn