August 17, 1997

BARBED WIRE

Just south of Pacific City, OR along the Three Capes Scenic Trail, I came across another cycle tourist heading northward. I thought that I was the only crazy cyclist out because it was raining sort of hard. Dave was from Hoboken, NJ. He was within a couple day's ride in finishing a trip along the TransAmerican Bike Route from the East Coast.

Fastened to his handlebar bag was a small piece of barbed wire. It wasn't too big. I asked him what was the reason why he had it.

Dave said that he found it while riding through Idaho about a week ago. He said that it reminded him of how he felt some times. He said that sometimes he felt just like his last name (Savage).

I shared with him that to me the barbed wire possibly was a sign that he didn't want to be bothered by anybody. Maybe, the piece of barbed wire might be a representation of what his heart might be. Could it be that he was even closing off his heart to the Messiah?

Dave said that he was still searching for some kind of religious faith to believe in. After about ten minutes of sharing with him and telling him that there was no real special formula for letting the Messiah into his heart, Dave told me that he would throw the barbed wire away because he would try to become a "follower".