Unless you

are from planet of the apes, you know it does not portend a wonderful

world of Christmas for Thomas O'Leary. He did not read very closely the

ninth clause in the contract between God and man called The Ten Commandments.

Without a doubt, he may feel home alone.

If I had a

crack at O'Leary, I'd like to make sure he knew a few things that would

make his life better for 2002. One thing for sure he knows without any

of my or your or the newspaper's help: that he is guilty of lying. Sometimes,

men and women of the cloth think folks are totally unaware of the guilt

they wear. I beg to differ. I believe that most guilty folks are all too

familiar with the circumstance of their guilt. They need to know more!

First, I'd

tell O'Leary that God loves you just the way you are, with resume a mess

and anything else that is amuck. You do not have to update your resume

or get hired by St. Jesus University. You are deeply and profoundly loved

just the way you are (now, God may offer a couple of suggestions for cleaning

up your life).

Second, I'd

tell O'Leary that God is not mad at him. Notre Dame, Georgia Tech, the

high life and the low life may be mad at you, but not God. He decided

a long time ago that just because the O'Learys would disappoint Him, He

would not get mad at them. God loves you, George, so much that he refuses

to get a mad on with you or even refuses to get even. If I were a betting

man, I would bet that the best is yet to come for you, George.

Third, I'd

tell O'Leary that God has some exciting ideas for him and the rest of

his life. God says so in just so many words found in the Word: "I

know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for good and not

evil, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11). There is

something better than Tech or Notre Dame out there for George.

Fourth, I'd

like to tell O'Leary that there is something out there in this wide and

wonderful world better than a contract with the queen of football. It's

called God's joy. We all know that happiness only lasts for a season,

whether it's the season of a new toy or the season of an athletic honeymoon.

But joy is deeper and better and lasting. There's great joy on the horizon

for O'Leary. I believe it with all my heart.

Fifth, I'd

like to tell O'Leary to take personal responsibility for his hope. Already

he has taken responsibility for his behavior, but now he needs to take

another step and take responsibility for the hope he has for a far better

life than the life of a famous football team.

Hope! It's

God's clause inserted into every contract of life. It breathes life into

every situation condemned by one or more of the main ten clauses. Just

look at Christianity's chief quarterback. They backed him up on a cross

and nailed him there. But three days later, he scored the biggest comeback

of all time. Because of Jesus' comeback, George, you can do it too.

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor

of River's Edge

Community Church in Fayetteville.

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