A Gift from Lili-Grace
Sevierville, TN– She was just a little girl with a big, benevolent heart, and she wanted so much to help others. But, what could she do? After all, she was only eight years old, living on a farm in rural Alabama. What can a third grader do that would be of benefit to anyone? Lili-Grace, the daughter of John and Chasity McPeek, pondered these questions.
Lili-Grace had heard her parents speak of some distant cousins on her grandmother’s side of the family who were raised in the Sevierville, Tennessee-based Church of God Home for Children. One day while listening to one such conversation, the bright-eyed little girl experienced what is referred to as a God moment. She thought to herself, “I should start raising money for the children at the Smoky Mountain Children’s Home.” But, how? She was just a little girl!
While sitting in her house near Northport, Alabama, Lili-Grace received a revelation. She whispered to herself, “I’ll set up a stand close to the house and sell eggs to the neighbors in my community.”
Lili-Grace
For the past year, this vivacious third-grader has been selling eggs from her parents’ farm. Her heart’s desire was to give the funds to the children of Smoky Mountain Children’s Home. Before her egg business, Lili-Grace raised money in yard sales and padded her funds by saving part of her birthday money, all for the purpose of helping others.
When Dr. Walt Mauldin, Executive Director of Smoky Mountain Children’s Home, received a check and a hand-written note from this young lady, he was so impressed with her thoughtfulness and benevolent heart that he decided to call Lili-Grace personally. A time was set, and the conversation between the two was heart touching. Dr. Mauldin shared his appreciation for what Lili-Grace is doing for the children in our care.
On the phone, Lili-Grace stated, “If you ever want to do something kind, then give money to others in need.” She hopes these words will serve as an encouragement for others to give and receive their blessing through benevolence.
When asked if there was anything she particularly wanted to say to the residents at Smoky Mountain Children’s Home, she replied, “Say to the kids, in everything…just trust Jesus!” These words of wisdom come from the lips of an eight-year-old who, seemingly, has found that which some spend a lifetime seeking.
Within the next few months, possibly after school is out for the summer, the McPeeks plan on visiting the Home for Children so their little, big-hearted daughter can see first-hand where her gifts are being used to care for the not-so-privileged children.
The administration, staff, and residents of Smoky Mountain Children’s Home extend our thanks of gratitude to Lili-Grace, for her acts of kindness in blessing this residential child care facility. From the heart of a child flows God’s protecting love and grace to a body of young people who need it the most. Reverend Raymond Fowler and his congregation at Trinity Church of God in Fayette, Alabama, where Lili-Grace is a member, can be very proud of their little parishioner who—by the way—always pays her tithes before giving to benevolence. She has a novel philosophy on benevolent giving—you can’t out give God!
(Source: Smoky Mountain Children’s Home. By Coleman Peacock)
