Family doesn’t always come in the ways we expect. Sometimes it’s the people who open their homes to you in a season of need. Sometimes it’s those who welcome you to their dinner table, remember your name, and offer the kind of care that heals places in your heart you didn’t know were hurting.
Over the years, the Lord has used many different people to shape my understanding of love, belonging, and legacy — but few have impacted me like the Hornsby family. They took me in at a time when I felt unanchored and unseen, and through their kindness, I caught a glimpse of the kind of family God intended all along.
Recently, I attended the funeral of Brother Scott Hornsby. For me, funerals often stir deep reflection. I find myself asking: Has my life mattered? Have I made a difference? Will I leave something lasting behind?
Brother Scott’s life answered those questions with a resounding yes. He and his wife, Mrs. Merriann, were married for 57 years — a lifetime of faithfulness and fruit. Together, they raised three children, poured into ten grandchildren, and were preparing to welcome their sixth great-grandchild. Their family tree is vibrant, flourishing with love and faithfulness.
But numbers alone don’t tell the story. Impact does.
Let me take you back about 20 years. I was nearing the end of college and in a bit of a transitional season. I’d moved out of the dorms but hadn’t yet landed on where I’d go next. That’s when Mary Jane — Brother Scott’s daughter — and her husband, Todd, offered for me to stay with them and their young daughter.
Their invitation changed me. I had never experienced that kind of kindness before. Opening your home to someone isn’t a small thing — it’s intimate, vulnerable, generous. I was in my early twenties and still figuring out who I was. Their willingness to welcome me in introduced me to something I had missed growing up in a dysfunctional environment: a picture of a healthy, Christ-centered family.
During those months, I got to know the extended Hornsby family. We’d drive out to Bluff Creek, where most of them lived, and gather for birthdays, holidays, or just a visit. I have precious memories of those times — watching the kids grow, sitting on the bathroom floor for girl talk with one of Mary Jane’s sisters-in-law, and simply being welcomed as one of their own.
This family exudes the love of Christ. Each one of them opened their hearts and lives to a young woman who was, honestly, lonely and hurting. They served and gave without hesitation. They made me feel seen, known, and safe. And they spoke truth and encouragement, and even correction when needed, with grace and love.
The Hornsbys have lived out the words of Hebrews 13:16 (NLT): “And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.” They’ve embodied Galatians 6:10: “Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone — especially to those in the family of faith.” They never gave to get something in return. They blessed because it’s who they are — obedient, faithful, generous people.
When I think of legacy, I think of family. Not just biological family, but spiritual family too. For those of us who grew up in broken homes or without close family ties, we’ve had to believe that the Body of Christ could become our family. We’ve had to trust that God would meet our needs through His people — that we wouldn’t have to strive for an invite, beg to be included, or prove we’re worth loving. We’ve had to hold onto hope that we’d be seen, loved, and valued — at the right time, by the right people.
Over the years, life has become full and busy. I haven’t spent much time with the Hornsbys lately. The once-little ones are grown now — married and raising babies of their own. Still, after the funeral, I spent the rest of the day at Mrs. Merriann’s home. It was bittersweet. Sad that Brother Scott was no longer there, but beautiful to see the family laughing, reminiscing, and dreaming about the future together.
As believers, we don’t grieve without hope. We know that now is not forever, and Heaven is our home. Brother Scott’s funeral was a celebration of a life well-lived. His sons and close friends told story after story of his faith, his leadership, his quiet strength, and his Christlike character.
Yes, Brother Scott was a pastor, a visionary, a leader in the Kingdom. But his greatest legacy wasn’t what he did — it was how he loved. The way he loved his wife, his children, his grandchildren. The way he showed up for his church family and welcomed people like me into the fold. That’s the kind of legacy that changes lives.
Our real legacies are not what we do for God, but how we love one another. God joyfully adopted us as His own, and it’s our joy to carry that love forward.
I count it one of the greatest gifts of my life to have been embraced by the Hornsby family. Their love and kindness left a permanent mark on my heart.
My prayer is that you and I would live the kind of lives that carry the love and legacy of Christ.
Have you experienced that kind of love and legacy in your life? I’d love to hear your testimony.
June 1, 2025 will mark the 1st anniversary of a dear college friend’s graduation to heaven. We were part of a close circle of friends that has remained close for 45 years. At the beginning of my hanging out with that circle I thought I was accepted because of who my roommate was & the fact that I enjoy cooking & feeding people not necessarily for who I was. Over the years the time spent, conversations had & lessons learned together has honed my Christ-likeness & cemented the truth that I am accepted, seen & loved because of who Christ has made me/is making me to be. I still might be 1 of the first to issue an invite & be intentional in staying in touch but that is not a default to get people to like me. It is the role God designed in me to bring Him glory. A close circle of friends supporting each other through a loss of our brother is simply a bonus of the legacy of our brother in each of our lives & especially mine. Blessings (((0)))
That is so lovely Ruth! How bless you! ❤️
God bless you. Terry
That is beautiful Ruth! I love that Christ’s legacy can be imparted by those He places in our lives! He is so gracious.
Be blessed!
Dear Karina….I wish I could say I don’t grieve without hope. I am in a 5 year season of grief when in the beginning I did have hope, but have the years have gone by, my hope has waned. When you are 77 years old and going through a season like this, I find it difficult to do that. I live alone and I spend quite awhile ever day praying for hope and peace. I never even imagined when I was 40 that when I reached my 70’s I would be going through all of this. I lost my husband, son and grandson, not through them passing, but because my husband has the violent form of dementia and he abused me every single night for the 3+ years I stayed with him trying to convince him he was sick. He drank heavily which the neurologists told him he needed to stop all drinking as that was what caused these “dementia rages”. Meanwhile my son who was 52 at the time called and disowned me as his mother and they would not allow me to ever talk or see my grandson who was 11 at the time and he hung up on me. My sister has not spoken to me for 9 years as several years before my mother passed at 95, I found out that she had been abusing her as well as draining her bank account. My mother admitted to me that she made a mistake giving my sister her POA so she had access to Mother’s money. My sister was at least $30,000 in credit card debt. My parents and all my other loved relatives have passed on years ago so I have no one. There is so much more to this story, but I can’t go on as it is so painful. I know God works behind the scenes and we do have to wait at times for the answers to our prayers. He has answered some of my prayers, but I have 3 very large problems to face. When my husband tried to kill me, I had to have him evicted due to being afraid of my own safety. My son thought I was lying to him, but he has found out as my husband had to go to a facility. I had to sell our house of 40 years for money and I had to move to another facility which is very bad. Karina, I am sorry to dump these things on you and take up your time. Thank you for your words. I keep trying to pump up my hope, but it just doesn’t seem to work. I wish you a Blessed weekend and if you can, could you say a little prayer for me? I don’t like to ask, but I really need other people to pray for me………………………….Love to you………..Betsy Basile
Thank you for sharing Betsy. Praying that the God of all hope fill you with His hope and peace. Even in our grief, He is with us and well acquainted with our sorrows. Take heart. Let Him be the lifter of Your head. He loves you.
Growing up our neighbor Dorothy Simmons was that person for me. She was so caring and loving as she included me in her life.
Such a beautiful legacy of LOVE!
Thank you for sharing! I also was taken in by a leader, after leaving a drug rehab and to think someone would be obedient to God in that way is remarkable. She loved me encouraged me, helped me, and poured into me. I am so grateful for God’s faithfulness, and I believe now god is asking me to move out on my own. I have been here for 3 years, and this next step is kind of scary but
I pray I just make the right decision and allow the lord to lead and open the door. this blessed me today, and I pray one day when I have my own family I can give back in this manner.
So much support!
I feel included my neighbors across the street from where I live. They are like a second family to me.