A Journey to Eternal Life
in loving memory of

Billie Jean Burks Magee McCabe

July 26, 1922 -- February 13, 2010

As I sat at my kitchen table this past Monday morning looking out at the cardinals searching for birdseed under the freshly fallen snow, my heart and my mind were focused on Billie. I was praying about and reflecting on what I would say to you today. In that silence I could almost hear Billie say to me in her no nonsense voice, "Now Betsy, don't turn me into a saint. I wasn't a saint!"

And so I will resist the temptation to paint a sentimental picture of Saint Billie Jean Burks Magee McCabe. Instead, I want to share with you some glimpses I've had of God's amazing grace in Billie's life. Like all of us, Billie had feet of clay. Yet, God was and is always there loving his precious daughter, Billie, just as he is there loving each of us. He is there loving every single one of us in the midst of all our human imperfections.

For many years Billie was a member of "The Breakfast Club" at St. James'. She would arrive early on Sunday morning to help prepare and serve a wonderful breakfast to friends and strangers alike. She always sat down to eat after everyone was served and she always sought out newcomers at those breakfasts. I overheard a conversation one Sunday that began with an unsuspecting person asking Billie how tall she was. She replied, "You can ask me how old I am. You can ask me how much I weigh, but please don't ask me how tall I am." There was total silence at the table and then Billie added, "And please don't pat me on the head!" With that little bit of business taken care of, Billie quickly turned the conversation to the other person, warmly welcoming her. No one ever asked her twice how tall she was! Her small stature never diminished her big heart.

Early in 2006 something happened that would shake Billie to her foundation. Her vision began to fail. A visit to her eye doctor was devastating. He told her that she would have to give up driving. Her beloved PT Cruiser could no longer be her vehicle of self reliance. In a matter of weeks, we saw the light in her eyes dim. She was more bent over with arthritis. Her fierce independence was severely challenged. She was spiraling downward.

This was when I saw God's grace touch Billie. A couple in our church talked to Billie about getting a second opinion from their eye doctor. I believe they were instruments of God's grace. By their love and devotion to Billie, they unlocked the gifts of grace and healing and hope for her.

The diagnosis and the prognosis pronounced by the second doctor were the same as they had been from the first doctor. They didn't change. But the limitations placed on her activities by a very wise physician were different and less restrictive. He told her she could no longer drive to Russellville to visit her sister ,Trilby, nor to Fayetteville, nor after dark but she could drive around Eureka Springs to church, to the grocery store, to play bridge during daylight hours. It was a little resurrection for her. It was almost a foreshadowing of the new life that awaited her in a few years. She lived in the hope of the resurrection. She was much more deeply grateful for God's amazing healing grace in her life when something precious to her was lost and then found again.

When Billie was about to turn eighty-five, she planned a wonderful birthday celebration for her family, friends and all the members of our church. She worked on the plans for months, often reminding us to keep a certain Sunday in July open for the celebration. She carefully orchestrated every detail of the catered luncheon--the wonderful food, the lovely tables, the attentive service and the beautiful, special birthday cake. The party was held downstairs in the undercroft of this church where we will gather after this service to further celebrate Billie's earthly life and her entrance into eternal life. When we gather downstairs, you will be able to look at photos from that celebration.

I remember her distress that day when she saw that the cake said "80th birthday" instead of "85th" birthday. We all assured her that with her vitality and zest for life, no one, including the staff at Myrtie Mae's, could believe she was eighty-five. I don't know if she changed the zero to a five herself or if she directed one of the servers to do that! Rest assured it was done. Billie was proud and grateful to be eighty-five and full of life.

The gospel message we heard a few minutes ago says , "Very truly, I tell you anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life." It is natural and right for us to grieve the loss of someone we love as much as we loved Billie. It is also comforting and reassuring for us to know that Billie died in peace and in great hope of eternal life. Although she did not consider herself a saint, she had some wonderful saintly qualities. But she was also very human. It was God's grace that not only allowed but ensured eternal life for Billie. We can look to her life to see that the same grace and promise is there for each of us.

Billie faithfully attended the small service we hold at St. James' most Wednesday afternoons at 2 p.m. I was blessed to worship with her for weeks, then months and then five years. I saw her grow in faith and hope and gratitude over that period of time. During the last few years, she always said before we prayed, "Once again I come with a grateful heart for the healing that has happened in my life." Sometimes it was healing in her body that she was giving thanks for. Sometimes it was healing in her mind or her spirit. Whatever it was, there was an increased awareness of God's grace to her and a deep gratitude for the promise of the resurrection -- the same hope that is there for all of us in our imperfect lives.

Last night in this church and in churches and homes all over the world, God's people began their 40-day journey with their Lord toward the cross and toward the resurrection on Easter morning--and He began his journey with them, with us. Today Billie continues her journey with him and our Lord continues his journey with her toward the hope and the promise of the resurrection.

Thanks be to God for his amazing grace!

Amen.

The Rev. Betsy Porter
St. James' Episcopal Church

February 18, 2010