THE LORD SHALL RECOMPENSE

by: Norberto Betita

He sacrificed his government scholarship (Iskolar ng Bayan) at the University of the Philippines-Diliman and served as an ambassador of Jesus Christ through a 2-year full-time mission in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. After serving his mission he forewent and relinquished his privilege to go back to the same premiere university for the restitution of his scholarship with hopes to finish a degree in Architecture in favor of his younger sisters’ college education. He worked and enrolled in a local college. After earning college units equivalent to 3 years, he gave up the opportunity to finish the remaining 1 year of his nursing course to marry in the Temple to a woman whom he wanted to be a part of his life for time and eternity. He gave priority to provide for his young family and served in different capacities in the Church. To his patriarchal responsibility was added another important priority as he was called and set apart to preside over 300 or more members as Branch President. In his duty as husband, father, and Priesthood leader, he diligently magnified his calling, momentarily forgetting his temporal growth and progress in favor of his family and his service to God and His people.

However, in time most proper, the Lord inspired him to finally go back to college and earn a degree. And, around the environs of family trials and difficulties and insufficiency of job opportunities in the locality, he and his wife made a very crucial and spiritually defining decision. His wife had to work abroad for two years to assist him in their common goal, by the conclusion of which time he will also graduate from college. Farewell was such a painful and throbbing word to a husband, wife and child as they were temporarily parted by divisions of oceans and seas. Each passing day without each other, seemed all the more to extend the time even before it expires. Only the Skype heals the sorrows of being away from dearly cherished loved ones. Through such miraculous technology they hold family home evenings, family scripture studies, and family prayer.

While his wife worked abroad, he earned a meager income through a humble occupation of a cellphone repair man. He served God in all diligence and faith, and he burned his midnight candles in diligent study making sure that his college studies will conclude as planned. Two years run fast and he was conferred a degree in Information Technology (IT). Prior to his graduation he applied for a job in a mining company. He was also offered to teach college in the same school where he graduated. A week after his graduation he was notified to report for work in the mining company. He accepted the IT job over the consistent invitation and offer as college instructor. His wife returned home never again to go back for a job abroad, unless they will have to go as a family.

In one of their dinner together with their department officers and employees, his personal priority and integrity was again tested. He was asked to drink beer and that if he didn’t, he would be laid off. He told his boss straight, “I will tender my resignation tomorrow.”  Just over a year in his career in the mining industry, he was promoted to a regular programmer. And in a matter of two years and four months since his employment, he was recently promoted to the position of Application Supervisor. This career growth is difficult to match in the Philippines, especially in the provincial setting.

Many of his high school contemporaries graduated from college more than thirteen (13) years ago.  Not many had reached the officer’s position in such a short time of two years and four months after graduation, and not many hold such position of authority even at this time. The seemingly lost time of secular opportunities of more than thirteen (13) years, which priority time he gave to his family---the center of the Creator’s plan of happiness; and to the Lord in service to Him and His people, has been restored to him so much faster than expected as a recompense for all the sacrifices that he has done.

The Lord’s reparation has been made in terms of increased intellectual and learning capacities, enlarged ability to deal with different types of people, intensified leadership capability, stepped up knowledge in his field of study, added humility and patience, and better work attitude. Such dominant attributes for growth were developed not in college but through years of service in God’s Kingdom.  In his long postponed race for personal temporal growth and development in favor of God and His work, the Lord now provides him with a magnified and expanded resume---- a key that will open bigger doors of opportunities; a competitive stance which will allow him to stand with bearing in employment contests; a light and lamp that will brighten the path to loftier and grander prospects of tomorrow. Indeed, the Lord recompensed. He promised: "...for them that honour me I will honour,...(1 Samuel 2:30)."