Florida Christian College and The Office: To Everything There is a Season

Well, when I woke up at 5:00 am, with insomnia, I wasn't expecting myself to blog about this...

It's really over?! My favorite show of all time is coming to a close this Spring. After nine seasons, The Office is airing it's final episodes (I believe we're down to two). Strangely, I for one, am ready for it to end. Sure, I will miss seeing new episodes each week from all of my favorite characters, but I believe that it's time.

There are many who would say that these last few seasons, without Michael Scott, just haven't been the same. I can definitely get on board with that. Steve Carell is amazing and, in part, I wish that we could have seen a bit more of his story play out. However, I loved his final season, and his goodbye episode brought me to tears.

I'm sure that most of us wished for a final return from him in this last season, but I read that it won't be happening. Steve and the producers felt that he had already said goodbye, and it was time to see other characters do the same. I'm happy, because I am really looking forward to some closure in some of these storylines.

For starters, stop toying with my heart, NBC! If Jim & Pam were to get a divorce, somehow things just wouldn't feel right in the world. I mean, seriously, we watched these two through a rollercoaster of emotions and relationships for 3 SEASONS before they got together! They have become our dream couple.

I guess this is where I should say, "SPOILER ALERT!" If you didn't know that Jim & Pam were together, then GET THEE TO A DVD SERIES (or to Netflix), and watch the show from Season 1. Their wedding is still one of my favorite episodes. That being said, it was relieving to see them get back to their old lovable selves in the last episode! Pam sitting on the corner of Jim's desk flirting with him....classic....and, it's about time.

For sure, the show has taken some strange turns recently, but it seems like they are getting back to what we know and love in time for the finale. I read that they brought back the original executive producer from the early seasons for this final one. I have been starting to feel the vibe of the early days again, in recent episodes. I mean, who doesn't love a good "talking head" with Stanley & Phyllis? And, without a doubt, The Office will live on through DVDs, re-runs, and every fan who effortlessly quotes it.

So...on to my point...why does FCC remind me of The Office? Is it because I worked in several "offices" there? Or, because my friends and I are responsible for creating and hosting our own version of The Dundies & starting a Finer Things Club? No...not so much. It is because, in a sense, two things that I love dearly are coming to an end.

Sadly, I am not one who was blessed to be around the college, during these last few months under the name "Florida Christian". I graduated 5 years ago, stopped working there roughly three years ago; I missed the last chapel, the last Imagine Banquet, and the last Graduation. However, I felt like I was there in spirit.

I have been walking around with the "FCC March Song" proudly playing in my head. Yesterday morning, Josh and I sang every Doc Smith and Hebrew song that we could think of to our son. And, I have been experiencing overwhelming nostalgia in many ways recently.

There is a part of me that will always miss those days, and that will miss referring to the institution as Florida Christian College. I feel that, in a sense, I have been robbed of my Alma Mater. However, FCC is not in it's final days...not really. It is in a state of a change. It is in a new Season.

I heard that the school colors won't be changing yet...,which is reassuring to those of us who will bleed orange & black for life. FCC will live on in the 50 t-shirts that I own and will refuse to stop wearing (Yes, even the doggopotamus). I pledge to try and stay "Strong in the Scriptures" for as long as I live. And, I intend to continue supporting the college, despite it's new name.

The truth is...I believe that it is time for a change. During this Season of change, I trust that there will be things I don't always feel comfortable with, or agree with. I am planning to try to trust God with those things.

I feel confident in the future of the institution, because I know who holds it in his hands. Florida Christian College was founded to prepare men & women for Christian service, and it will continue to do so. I'm sure it goes without saying...,but I really love that place! "Hail to Florida Christian College!...And, the zeal of Dear FCC, may it never cease!"


"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:...a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,... He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 4, 11 NIV)