When God has a plan for your life...NO ONE CAN STOP THOSE PLANS......

It was Saturday, October 25th, 2003, I was seeking to become the 32nd National President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. at its 62nd Biennial Convention in Dallas, Texas. (The National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc., is the official coalition of the nine historically African American Fraternities and Sororities with a combine membership of over 1 million members.).

Despite serving as the organization's National First Vice-President for four years (1999-2003), running a nine month well organized campaign and presented a detailed platform for the organization, I was rejected at the polls. I would have made history as the first individual outside of the United States to ascend to the presidency.

After the announcement that I had lost the presidency, I was honestly disappointed for about seven minutes and then I realize that this closed door happened for a reason. I never fully understood the reason for the closed door until about nine months later (Isn't it amazing how God works, he allowed nine months of incubation) when along with a group of other excited individuals came together and organized The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation. (Ironically, majority members of my campaign Team became the Founding Directors of The Foundation).

You see, between 1997 – 2004, the Nassau, Bahamas Pan-Hellenic Council was responsible for organizing the annual Bahamas Primary Student of the Year Awards Program through a Local Committee. The Committee appointed annually were members of the Local Fraternities and Sororities. During 1997 - 2004, we raised some $50,000.00 in scholarships and prizes.

After establishing the Foundation in 2004, our operations improved and the management of the Awards Program saw us raising some $1.9 Million Dollars in scholarships and prizes for deserving primary school students in The Bahamas between 2004 - 2021. We have touch the lives of over 3,000 of the BEST and BRIGHTEST minds in the Bahamian Educational System. After the formation of the Foundation, our operations were improved.

Because the international leadership door being closed in 2003, I was able focus my attention on making a difference in The Bahamas. I allowed the opportunity that I served as National First Vice-President (1999-2003) to be my training ground to serve as the President & CEO of The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation. The networking skills obtained became as ASSET for The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation.

Thanks to some supportive friends who brought into the VISION, primary school students have something to look forward to in this country.

In the words of Alexander Graham Bell "When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us."

Never be upset when God closes the door, It may be for a BIGGER, BETTER, BRIGHTER assignment to make a difference.

Closed doors redirect our walk. Rest assured, God never leaves a willing servant with nothing to do. The alternate opportunity He has in mind will yield bigger fruit, more satisfaction, and greater glory for Him.

Closed doors test faith and build perseverance. Waiting for the Lord to speak or act is hard, particularly when our desire has been denied. But we'll learn wisdom, patience, and trust by pausing prayerfully until He reveals His will.

During this period of my closed door experience, there were a few critical lessons that I learnt:

1. The people you surround yourself with in transition is critical. You require people who will help to propel you to a higher place, people who supports a vision, people who will understand the purpose of the journey.

2. God's purpose was fulfilled and therefore HE closed the door.

If the door was not closed, we will never appreciate the journey.

3. Our struggles and our disappointments are powerful lessons.

4. Close door experiences help to keep us humble and our focus on God.

5. It meant that this chapter in my life had ended and he was redirecting me to move on. Without the door closing, I am convince that The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Program would not at the level it is today.

Pictured: Addressing The Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Nominees at Government House

Ricardo P. Deveaux, DHL

Nassau, Bahamas

https://www.ricardopdeveaux.com