A few years ago, I met a lovely, sweetheart of a young woman, maybe nineteen years of age. She generously shared her story with me...
Her parents had both passed into the Lord’s presence; one parent when she was a mere toddler and the other when she was seventeen. Though she was now an adult, the Christian family she lived with legally adopted her as their own, even though they still had growing children. This beautiful princess positively glowed with happiness because she had been chosen; she belonged to someone.
For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
Romans 8:15-16
I felt led to share this passage with her. She drank in its words slowly. She realized how miraculous and marvelous the Lord Jesus was to also adopt her because of love alone. Abba Daddy.
I watched her linger in these beloved verses, which proceed to proclaim that we are joint-heirs with Christ. I knew she understood the cost and the choice of adoption. She understood the sacrifice of the benevolent, love-beyond-reason decision to make us His own. And that warms my heart at this moment. I hope it warms your heart, too.