WHEN GOD AND FAMILY ARE PREEMINENT

by: Norberto Betita

Adversity often comes into our lives like a thief in the night. It takes its toll in times when circumstances are off against efforts for finding resolves. To my son---Robert Sherwin---a father who is the principal provider for the family, losing a job on the very first day of the year was tremendously an awful challenge. The first month and even the first quarter of the year is not a period for hiring employees in corporate and government organizations. It’s good though that his family had been saving for a financial buffer incase his unsecured employment is suddenly terminated. It was likewise fortunate for him that his wife has a permanent job. It was also timely that months prior, he was inspired to take and eventually passed the government professional civil service examinations as one line of employment options.

As soon as he knew he is to be retrenched, he immediately prepared an updated resume and searched for vacancies. He knew that for a new applicant to be hired takes time, and he and his wife made sure that their financial savings will last.

His employment options were first set for corporations and government offices in the Province of Surigao del Norte and Surigao City. He applied with the Department of Education (DepEd), Surigao City Division; the Tag-anito Mining Corporation; and Caraga Regional Hospital, the latter two being supervisory positions. He was qualified and shortlisted in all. However, it was the DepEd who first called him for interview and soon required him to submit documents for employment. He therefore declined the call by Tag-anito Mining Corporation for interview. While waiting for the approval of his appointment he made himself available for the panel interview at the Caraga Regional Hospital. He again qualified for the final interview, but for ethical reasons he no longer attended, because a week before the message for interview was made, he already received his permanent appointment with the DepEd.

Prior to his applying for employment in Surigao, immediate job opportunities were already available and waiting for him with competitive salaries. Two of his former bosses were just waiting for him to submit his application and resume. His brother-in-law, whose family is already residing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has repeatedly encouraged him to join the Filipino diaspora. With his supervisory experience, computer programming skills and ISO auditing knowledge, he could easily find a good paying job, which may be significantly higher than he could get from possible Philippine employment, and may provide more for the family. While waiting for the approval of his appointment, he was offered to work in Manila by the holding company of his former employer, double his expected employment salary in the DepEd. However, all of these rich offers he forgo for two profound reasons---service to God and family duties.

During his round table with a panel of interviewers in the DepEd he was told that based on his resume, he is overqualified for the position he was applying for. But he apprised them that it matters not, he is just as much willing to perform the job according to its demands and even beyond, without regard for his qualifications. He is in need of a job and whatever it takes he must have to be submissive to the performance requirements of the needed employment.

It may be somehow absurd and ridiculous that the same company who caused him his personal dilemma and employment mess would call him back for help, and he would make himself available. Yet he did on several occasions without regard whether he would be paid or not. He is just as much willing to help when needed. He is not the kind of person who takes advantage of the weaknesses of others, be it in corporate operations or in personal life.

Robert lives by the principle as taught by David O. McKay, “No other success can compensate for failure in the home.” In his life he seriously carries with him the teaching of the Lord Himself in His Sermon on the Mount when He said, “But Seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33). He takes no thought for the riches of the world, but looks far above into the riches of eternity. Of such, no matter how I convinced him to go abroad for a few years, to earn enough to build for his family a home and something for comfortable mobility, he never give in. When God and family are preeminent in the life of a father, no matter the temptation to acquire so much of the worldly mammon and the comforts of sophisticated human toys, to him nothing beats God’s promise: “…If ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land…. (Alma 37:13).

Called upon to preside and lead God’s children in this part of His vineyard, Robert was blessed to be a little more comfortable and serve better with his new employment in the city proper. It is not only convenient for him but likewise for his family. To him such was God’s Providence. In him is now given the task to take the first step to move forward up the ladder of progress.

It’s Robert’s birthday today and it is my wish that he and his wife---Analiza---will have their vision remain focused together in one and the same star to reach to the summit of their common goals.

HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR ONLY SON---ROBERT SHERWIN SITOY BETITA!