Do Not Announce It with Trumpets

When Hansle Parchment boarded a Tokyo bus en route to the Olympic Stadium on the day of his 110-meter hurdles semifinals race, he put in his earbuds and settled in for the ride, focusing on the competition ahead. But he realized something was amiss when the bus pulled into an aquatics arena rather than the stadium. Volunteers advised that he board a second bus in the other direction, but Parchment knew he would miss his warm-ups and possibly the race itself. Thankfully, a volunteer came to his rescue.

"I saw this volunteer and I had to beg ... and she actually gave me some money to take one of the taxis. And that's how I was able to get to the warm-up track at the stadium and with enough time to warm up to compete," Parchment said, calling the volunteer his Good Samaritan.

Two days later, he returned to the aquatics arena to return her $10 and show her the gold medal he earned because of her kindness. If he had missed the semifinals on August 4, he would not have gone to the finals on August 5; and in the finals, he surged ahead of his Jamaican teammate to win Olympic gold by one-twentieth of a second.

To watch Parchment's final surge to win gold in the 110-meter hurdles, look here: Parchment denies Holloway. And to enjoy his search for the volunteer who made his gold medal possible, look here: Instagram Thank You.

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6 that when we give to those in need, we should do so quietly and out of love: "When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you" (Matthew 6:1-4).

The Olympic volunteer who gave cash to Parchment for a Tokyo taxi ride did not expect to see Parchment or her money again; she did not even know who he was. She was simply giving to help another human being in need.

We are surrounded by others in need. How will you give to another this week -- quietly, humbly, and with a Holy Spirit love for humanity?

Peace on your week,

Jennie