On December 21, 2017, Dr. Mary Carolyn Miller Harrison, my wife of almost 53 years, passed away. Although she had been in declining health for several years, her death was still a shock. Ministering to her needs had been my primary concern for so long I was left wondering “Why am I still here? What am I supposed to do now? God soon reminded me of what my primary purpose (or if you prefer, mission) in life was. And it was simply this:

• To stand hour by hour each day in the conscious presence of God
• To do what I can, moment by moment, day by day, step by step to make this world a better place, following the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit
• To exercise my greatest gifts, which most delight me to use, in the places God has caused to appeal to me the most, for the purposes which God most needs to have done in the world.

Understanding that had been the key to the exciting and rewarding life of challenge, adventure and accomplishment that Mary Carolyn and I had shared for over half a century. We had been given opportunities to go many places we had never dreamed of going and to accomplish things we had not known we were capable of. We learned this was in fulfillment of our God-ordained destiny for us, which far exceeded anything we could have imagined. And in the seven years since Mary Carolyn’s passing, I have come to realize that God has further plans for my life, that he is not through with me yet, and that is the reason I’m still here.