Eleventh Floor Perspective

Eleventh Floor Perspective

January 22, 2020

Carol and I have become rather familiar with the Franz Cancer Center at Providence Hospital in Portland, Oregon. Medical appointments with the tremendous staff there, combined with chemo infusions and now immunotherapy treatments, have filled many hours over recent years.

Less than two years ago, the Oncology Department moved to beautiful new facilities on the 11th floor. There are large rooms with walls of windows offering a spectacular view of Portland. The rooms are lined with heated recliner chairs for patients and armchairs for guests.

The patients include a variety of ages and cultures, but everyone has one thing in common – trying to conquer cancer. The medical staff work as a family – you get the idea that they like each other and enjoy their work.

Something I find difficult to observe is the occasional patient who comes alone. No one is there to talk, get them food or drinks, or share the experience. Eventually they leave – alone. I wonder if they have someone in their life to share the experience. I would not want to do this without Carol.

I have been thinking that this 11th floor perspective might be like Creator God’s view of the human race. We all have the same illness – sin. There is no human cure, so we try to find ways to ease the pain and find some comfort. We long for the day when cancer will be conquered, but until then, the treatment is temporary.

With Savior Jesus, there is a cure for sin that is complete and eternal. We have to admit our helplessness to cure it ourselves, but when we do and accept His Grace and forgiveness, we find health and hope that is forever. Cancer may still take our life, but it can never take away our security in Savior Jesus.

Pastor Bill and Carol

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

RECENT POSTS

So Quickly It Changed

By wvbaptist | March 19, 2020 | 0 Comments

March 18, 2020 A week ago, we were planning for weekend events and worship services. Schools were busy, restaurants filled – life seemed so normal. One day later, it all changed and continues to change. The unknowns and uncertainties are […]

Sweeter With Time

By wvbaptist | March 12, 2020 | 0 Comments

March 12, 2020 Growing up in a small community and church, we enjoyed periodic Singspirations where you could choose the song you wanted everyone to sing. Nearly every time it was my dad’s turn to choose, he would select “Sweeter […]

Wisdom From Ziggy

By wvbaptist | March 5, 2020 | 0 Comments

March 4, 2020 I appreciate the Ziggy cartoon. Occasionally, he really makes me think. Such was the case on February 26 this year. He was looking at the March calendar and said, “Pondering the future can be overwhelming . . […]

Looking Back

By wvbaptist | February 27, 2020 | 0 Comments

February 27, 2020 Recently, I said to Carol, “I wish I could be 30 again and live the next decades with the life experience I have gained.” Obviously not an option, but I thought about what I might do differently […]

Pray Without Ceasing

By wvbaptist | February 20, 2020 | 0 Comments

February 19, 2020 I am probably not the only person to ponder the directive in I Thessalonians 5:17 that is often translated “Pray without ceasing.” Various other translations include, “Pray without omission,” “Pray regularly,” “Pray all the time” and “Never […]

Scroll to Top