Marion Lois Jones, also known as Marion Jones-Thompson, is a former world track champion and professional basketball player who played in the Tulsa Shock in the WNBA.

History records her name in two ways. First, her extraordinary achievements in athletics. She was the world champion in the women’s 100 meter dash in 1997 and 1999 with a best time of 10.70 seconds. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, she won three gold medals in the women’s 100 m, 200 m and long jump events. In that event she also donated two bronze medals in the team event.

Second, her lies to the public regarding the doping problem he used during the Sydney Olympics. Jones served a six-month prison sentence in Texas and had her Sydney Olympic medal revoked.

In an interview after her release from prison, Jones said her biggest regret was that when questioned by investigators, she didn’t delay five minutes. Had she not hastily decided to lie and taken five minutes to think, seeing the lawyer and her family waiting outside the investigation room would not have ended that way.

Making decisions emotionally and without thinking, can indeed be fatal as a result. “…and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.”(Proverb 19:2b)

Let’s, before deciding on something, “delay five minutes”. Think of the good and the bad; for yourself or others. Don’t follow momentary emotions. So as not to regret it later.