It Only Takes A Sparks

by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Dec 1, 2025 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers, Teens

It Only Takes a Spark

By Dr. Marci D

When I was a little girl, I learned a simple, yet powerful song written by Kurt Kaiser. The opening line still lingers in my memory:

“It only takes a spark to get a fire going,
And soon all those around can warm up in its glowing;
That’s how it is with God’s love, once you’ve experienced it,
You spread His love to everyone; you want to pass it on.”

Even as a child, I didn’t fully grasp the depth of those words. Yet now, as I reflect on the life of a remarkable woman who touched me deeply, I see how true they are.

From the age of four, she was part of my life. She was the one who taught me letters of the alphabet and my very first Bible verse—Ruth 1:16:
“Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge.”

At the time, I had no idea what loyalty, faithfulness, or sacrifice really meant. But as I grew older, her example gave that verse life. She embodied it. Her kindness was infectious, her faith unwavering, and her love for God poured out into everyone she met.

She and I shared countless moments together—singing hymns, lifting prayers, laughing through the hard times, and even shopping side by side. When illness came, I stayed close, singing her favorite songs and reminding her that she was not alone. My faithfulness to her was born in childhood but carried through to her final days.

Her heart was like her garden—always blooming with beauty, always giving life. Even when she was unwell, she longed to plant flowers, to see color and growth flourish around her. She often reminded me, “Prayer changes things,” and she lived by those words. She was my prayer partner, my encourager, my friend.

Because of her, I understand what it means to “pass it on.” God’s love, shining so brightly in her, lit a spark in me that still burns today. Her life was a song of faithfulness, joy, and devotion—and I will forever carry her melody in my heart.

Rest well, my dear friend. I will miss being able to sit at your feet and learn some more of your wise teachings.

You have run your race with grace. Your spark still glows in me, and I will pass it on.

Make the Best of Life

by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Aug 28, 2023 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers, Teens

Make the Best of Life

By Marci D

We started high school together many, many years ago and most of us lacked confidence and were unsure of where life would take us, as we embarked on our journey. Ironically, our yearbook had a heading for the school year: We’ve Only Just Begun” – as sung by the Carpenters. I have no idea who the yearbook committee members were and why they chose that song for us.  All I know is that it was so fitting for a group of 10- and 11-year-olds, as we got ‘the kiss of luck’ and we were on our way. 

Lyrics

We’ve only just begun to live
White lace and promises
A kiss for luck and we’re on our way
(We’ve only begun)

Before the risin’ sun, we fly
So many roads to choose
We’ll start out walkin’ and learn to run
(And yes, we’ve just begun)

Sharing horizons that are new to us
Watchin the signs along the way
Talkin’ it over, just the two of us
Workin’ together day to day
Together

And when the evening comes, we smile
So much of life ahead
We’ll find a place where there’s room to grow
(And yes, we’ve just begun)

Sharing horizons that are new to us
Watchin’ the signs along the way
Talkin’ it over, just the two of us
Workin’ together day to day
Together
Together

And when the evening comes, we smile
So much of life ahead
We’ll find a place where there’s room to grow
And yes, we’ve just begun.

Five years later at our graduation, we were singing our chosen graduation song, “Do You Know Where You ‘re Going To? Sung by Diana Ross.

Lyrics

Do you know where you’re going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to?
Do you know?

Do you get what you’re hoping for?
When you look behind you, there’s no open doors
What are you hoping for?
Do you know?

Once we were standing still in time
Chasing the fantasies that filled our minds
You knew how I loved you, but my spirit was free
Laughing at the questions that you once asked of me

Do you know where you’re going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to?
Do you know?

Now looking back at all we planned
We let so many dreams just slip through our hands
Why must we wait so long before we see
How sad the answers to those questions can be?

Do you know where you’re going to?
Do you like the things that life is showing you?
Where are you going to?
Do you know?

Do you get what you’re hoping for?
When you look behind you, there’s no open doors
What are you hoping for?
Do you know?

Did we really understand the lyrics to both of those songs? Maybe not, but we certainly were singing. Years later, after graduation, we reunited and talked about our feelings and explained to each other the journey we took or the journey that had taken us and how we faired. We realized that we made some great decisions, had some rough or even traumatic experience and that we learned some valuable lessons over the years. Most of us kept in touch and started going to various trips together. We celebrated each other, we laughed with each with other, we supported each other, we grieved with each other and most importantly, we prayed with each other. Some of us even shared how we need to be intentional about how we enjoy life and each other’s company especially since life can be so fleeting. Our togetherness became special because we shared the same culture, similar childhood days and we shared the same values. We can laugh, and the laughter brings peace and joy.  We also realized that we need each other, were able to care for each other, exhaled and the togetherness brought a bond of friendship that many can’t identify with.  As we laughed, one of us said that there could be onlookers wondering why and what grown women could find to laugh about so much and that even made us laugh more.

I strongly believe that as we get older, we get joy from hanging out with good friends and we appreciate it more especially since we life in such a world of stress and pain.

The educator in me can’t help but wonder what kinds of memories and lessons my students are creating and how they will think after graduation and beyond.  Will they like the things that life has shown them. Do they know where they are going?

The Masterpiece

by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Jan 10, 2023 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers, Teens

The Masterpiece

By Dr. Marcia

Death seems to be raising its ugly head every day and just yes, too close for comfort.  I’ve been putting off writing about this because it has stomped me, and I have not been ready to face the raw memory. This time it’s another friend whom we usually referred to each other as “namesake” since we have the same first name. My consolation has been that we use to talk regularly. In fact, she knew that I use to work on my lesson plans early on Saturday mornings so she would use that opportunity to call me, and we would talk for a long time then. Since her death about six months ago, I have not done my lessons plans on Saturday, but on Sunday afternoons. I just can’t seem to get it together or come to terms with this horrible fact.

Since we spoke regularly, I remember her calling me one morning as usual and she was explaining how she had been sick and did several surgeries and that things fell into place by “divine intervention” and “faith-based activities”. She even said that after the last long seven and a half surgery, her doctor had told her friend that he had “just completed my Masterpiece!” To which I had interjected, “I hope you realize that this was a clue that you have a book to write, and the title is, I Am the Masterpiece!” I was excited to say this and felt like she needed to hear, God those comforting words instead of thinking about her pain. We had even discussed that she should make notes of her journey in a journal. She also said that she had many journals but wanted to get strength to put things together as she was swamped with work and doctors’ appointments and the cycle goes on and on.  Just listening to her it did seem exhausting but there was not a moment when I didn’t encourage her positively.

I would also think of the word, “masterpiece” as the doctor had referred to her. Seems as if I could not shake the word. So, I decided to research the word. Masterpiece definition as per the dictionary,

1. a work of outstanding artistry, skill, or workmanship.

(historical) a piece of work by a craftsman accepted as qualification for membership of a guild as an acknowledged master. There were other words for masterpiece including, treasure, flower, gem, monument, perfection. I could see how she was the epitome of a masterpiece. Her picture can be placed in the dictionary to further help with the definition.

A month or so before she died, I felt obligated to pay her a visit and even though we didn’t exchange many words, my mind was racing as I massaged her back and sang for her. She was in and out of sleep, but it didn’t matter, I wanted to be there with her, and I know she appreciated that I was there. For some reason the lessons that I was learning, and they were overwhelming. As I reflected, I couldn’t help but think that I should be the best version of myself and try to live up to my requirement of being a peacemaker, fun loving, lover of people and philanthropist. Others were telling me that I should always trust the process because there is nothing, I could have done to change anything.

She might not have been able to write her book, but she had begun journaling activities of her journey. My hope is that we can all learn a few lessons from her life – just as I learned. She was not an educator, but the lessons were simple yet compelling.

Additional lessons learned

• live at peace with everyone
• live as Christ would want
• be prepared for life and death
• be willing to show love (regardless of the person)
• be a vessel of kindness

She always gave some interesting advice as we spoke and she would always remind me and many people she met to, “stay with God” and not worry about what other people would say (negatively) because sometimes there could be too much noise in the marketplace.

Again, I lost another friend, a masterpiece – one who will be forever in my heart!

Generational Impact – What is Your Legacy?

There Is Power In You!

by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Nov 28, 2022 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers, Teens

There is Power in You!

By Dr. Marci D

A few years ago, a woman introduced me to positive affirmations and since then I have bought into being positive. I figure that since words have power, I should use the positive words to encourage me so I can feel powerful. What is does power even mean? Power as defined by the dictionary means “the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others or the course of events.” Well in this case I say, I am directing my behavior based on the words I have spoken within me.  I have also introduced this to my students, so they begin affirming themselves in the morning, so that throughout the day they believe it as they repeat the affirmation. Affirmation is filled with power, and we must have a willingness to encourage ourselves and as it were dig ourselves out of sadness. We can and should use even our disappointments to reach for higher. Tell ourselves that we will dig out of the sand and reach for the stars. As a matter of fact, we can in turn be change agents for others when they see how we live our lives. For us to have power we must commit to a few things: –

1. Believe in yourself
2. Be persistent
3. Be you
4. Be honest
5. Be intentional

Being an educator, it is my responsibility to be encouraging for my students so they realize that they can learn and that all things are possible, they just need to believe. Simply put there is hope! I must believe as well so that I can keep the learning wheels turning. It’s not always easy especially if there are parents or students who put up resistance. Goodness, there have been resistance! What do I do when faced with the resistance? I evaluate myself and tell myself that I am a good person and who wants good for others and yes, hope for the storm to blow through then, trust the process.  Most of all I rely on the power of affirmation and have the courage to use it. I also turn to the good book, the bible verses for example, Luke 20 ²⁰ Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, ²¹ nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

So even though I don’t teach religious education, I do use it in my daily walk to encourage myself. The rest takes care of itself and flows.  As a child I heard the saying, “what the mind can conceive and believe, it will achieve.” This has stayed me over the years, and I am convinced that is where the power lies- in our mind and we must believe it is possible. So, I say, take it one step at a time and find the power in you!

Pledging

Pain Mixed With Purpose

by Marcia Davis-Dawkins | Aug 4, 2022 | Education, Kids, Parents, Teachers, Teens