Harold Keller / L’Observateur / October 20, 1999

When moderating peer support groups in high schools and the subject is pre-marital sex, I always ask the students this question: When is sex OK before marriage? (I believe what God’s Word says, and that is, it is never permissive until you’re married.) Of course, high school students come upwith all kinds of answers. One is – when you’re in love. (Ask them todescribe love and they get puzzled.) Another is – if you’re mature. I laughat that one and say, “If some of you wait until you’re mature, you’ll never have sex.” (Believe me, some people never mature.)Take for example, Mike Ditka, coach of the New Orleans Saints. This pastMonday, the so-called “Iron Mike” was 60 years old. Sunday, this same manwho, when he came to New Orleans, was supposed to be the Saints’ savior that would lead them to the Promised Land (not Heaven, but the Super Bowl), said that he wanted to climb again to the mountain top.

Well, Sunday is proof that he’s still deep in the valley. The supposedly-mature Ditka shows his true colors. As he left the field at half-time,leading 10-0 against the Tennessee Titans, he “shot the bird” to local, vocal fans. That was a class act compared to his final gesture after thegame. (I guess he was saving his best for last.) He grabbed his crotch as a”get lost” gesture to the fans. What maturity!What is maturity? Maturity, according to an article by Ann Landers, is the ability to control anger and react without violence or destruction. Themature person can face unpleasantness, frustration, discomfort and defeat without collapse or complaining. A mature person handles adversity withdignity and class and is humble – not too proud to accept the fact that maybe sometimes he’s wrong and is quick to sincerely say that he is sorry.

Maturity is to be responsible and dependable.

Last but not least, maturity is the act of living in peace with that which you cannot change, the courage to change that which should be changed (no matter what is takes), and the wisdom to know the difference.

Do I feel sorry for the Saints’ fans? Not at all. I feel sorry for Mike Ditka -three Super Bowl rings, financially secure, but emotionally bankrupt. Cometo think of it, I changed my mind. I do feel sorry for the Saints’ fans, notbecause the Saints lost but because they had to pay “big bucks” to get the bird and crotch act. (Some people get that free of charge.)Speaking of maturity, the battle between Ditka and the fans can be declared a draw – both sides need to mature.

Harold Keller is a regular columnist for L’Observateur.

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