IN THE STONE THAT THE BUILDER REJECTED: My Potential Is Never Finished, Dr. Marcia A. Davis-Dawkins has written an excellent book that is personal and spiritual. From personal stories of her coming to America from Kingston, Jamaica to three miscarriages, abusive relationships, rape, divorce and depression, this is a woman who has withered the test and made her life story a stirring testimony. Every chapter from Early Days to They Made a Difference reads like the very best contemporary podcast: entertaining and education, and this is also a memoir of a survivior packed with life lessons learned from Bible verses. This book is uplifting like a grand Sunday sermon. You can open to any chapter or chapter topic and be blessed by a woman that has been there and back and still exhibits amazing faith.
This is a book for anyone who seeks to become a Master Teacher because the good doctor provides chapters and verses. She has answered her Heavenly calling. And she shares the wisdom of her mentors when she quotes Ada Adams who says “There is a light at the end of every tunnel. Some tunnels just happen to be longer than others.”
This is an Educator who deeply cares about her students when she writes: “Just as we don’t write off our friends after a small disagreement, we should also have a forgiving heart with our students. Each day stats with a clean slate and we never know how that simple act of thoughtfulness can impact a student’s life (150 ). But that is just one lesson of many lessons as the author continues: “Our role as educators definitely includes a deep sense of empowering our students. It means mazimizing our students’ potential as well as getting the best out of them and, in doing, empowering ourselves” ( 151 ).
Dr. Davis-Dawkins has come a mighty long way from humble origins in Jamaica. In an exceptionally generous section of family and friends color photos, the super educator illustrates her life and diet in her hometown and beyond. There is a mouth watering picture of a plate of fried plaintains, fried breadfruit, avocado pears, ackee and saltfish, not to leave out pictures of dumplings, coconut and the pleasures and challenges of outdoor cooking. There are also treasured memories of family and friends and siblings that provide a unique window into the heart of someone who truly believes in life-long learning. Then there is the mantra of the author that states: “Pour in me goodness, mercy and eternal wisdom!!!”
Still, there were challenges being young and female in a “man’s world,” side stepping the sexual advances of “uncles” who preyed upon naive and fatherless woman. But this was an obstacle that the writer overcame by looking toward a much brighter day. The writer writes, rejecting bitterness and anger with prayers and hope:
“Bittnerness and anger can cause us to be sick. For the most part, it is difficult to go back in time to bring those wrongdoers to justice. Some people still harbor the hurt and pain, but somehow by God’s grace, I have learned to let go and let God take control” ( 195 ).
In the concluding pages of the book, Dr. Davis-Dawkins honors her role models and mentors by name and deed, writing:
“We need people to boast our life and pick us up when we are down. It is noteworthy that all these persons are kingdom personnel. They are truly spreading the gospel of Christ through giving and encouraging others” ( 222 ).
In her conclusion, the writer writes:
My modest, humble, poor beginning molded me into who I have become. I know that I was born with and for a purpose. My desire is to preserve some of my family traditions of being and loving my community. I was not always aware of the fact that I was called to be an example for Christ. Of course, I am not perfect, and I want no one to think that I have no flaws. However, when I read James 1:2-4, I am convinced that I have to embrace my responsibility of doing good ( 231 ).
And although this is a big book of widsom and wonder and touched by the grace of a Higher Power, The Stone That The Builder Rejected: My Potential Is Never Finished, Dr. Marcia A. Davis-Dawkins is not preaching, just teaching in her very special way. He final word:
“I do want my legacy to be that I am kind and want the best for everyone because there is promise, possiblity, potential and, yes, purpose-in me and in many of us” ( 233 ).
