A Time of Change: Putting first the most important things

I just resigned from my RA (Resident Assistant) position that was to begin this fall. This would have been my third year of being an RA… Any of you who remember your college RA or have been one yourself, might understand that three consecutive years might be a little over the top.  Of course, it’s never fun to resign from a job, especially when the decision affects so many other people (my RA staff, my Area Coordinator “boss,” my would-be roommate who I’m sure is crushed).  I wish I had not been so short-sighted in my decision to become an RA, but this summer has been a time of change.  It’s the first summer that I’ve lived at home in 2.5 years, and I guess I’ve liked being more connected to my family and not living in the dorms.  Also, being engaged certainly changes things.  This year is going to be challenging enough as is; the added of stress of running after freshman residents isn’t exactly ideal. Another thing is that these past two years, my friendships have really been put on hold.  Seeing that this is going to be my last year of “single-hood” (even though I’m very much attached :D), I hope to have more time to invest in my friends, before we all go our separate ways after graduation.
 
This year I’m not just going to be planning a wedding, but Steve and I are going to be preparing for marriage—something that is far more important that any flower arrangement or cake flavor.  Our pre-marital sessions with Fr. Theodore will begin in September, and I’m looking forward to them! 
 
Another reason that being an RA wouldn’t have worked out is because of Holy Week.  It wasn’t until after I signed the contract that I realized that Holy Week coincided with Finals week—which is the week all RAs are at the will of their residents, who are checking out of their living areas at odd hours of the day.  RAs are allowed to leave campus for one hour at a time, but only with permission from the AC.  Hmm… that would have been impossible with Holy Week.
 So, what I have a learned through all of this?  I have learned the importance of prayer when it comes to decision making… and not just “prayer for a day.”  Some important decisions just need some time, after all of the “excitement” drifts away. Last spring, I was so incredibly excited to have been chosen to be an RA.  But over the summer, the excitement abandoned me, and I was left with a huge time-commitment that I couldn’t fulfill.  This summer, my outlook has changed… perhaps it’s time to put the more important things first in my life:  God, church, Job, family and friends new and old.