In Reader’s Digest, someone told a story about Aunt Ruby and Uncle Arnie, a couple which had adopted a baby boy after five years of trying unsuccessfully to conceive. To their surprise, a short time after the adoption, Aunt Ruby discovered that she was pregnant, and later gave birth to a boy.

One day, when the two boys were eight and nine years old, the storyteller had been visiting with Aunt Ruby when a neighbor stopped by to chat.

After watching the children at play, the neighbor asked, “Which boy is yours, Ruby?”

“Both of them.”

“But I mean, which one is adopted?”

Aunt Ruby looked straight at her guest and answered, “I’ve forgotten.” She loved her adopted son so much that she considered him just as much her own as her natural-born child. Love made her forget the distinction between them.

I think adoption is one of the greatest things a family can do and a child can experience. Adopted children feel loved from the very beginning because they have been specially chosen by their new parents. The process of adoption also provides a good picture of the relationship we have with God when we put our trust in Christ. God adopts us into His family, and we get all the rights and privileges of His children.

Are you an adopted child? Life may have some challenges for you, but think before you complain. Remember, your parents loved you enough to choose you. Are you a child of God? Then I hope you will remember that you were also adopted — and with this adoption comes every spiritual blessing you possess in Christ. God loved you enough to choose you as part of His family the moment you believed in His Son. His love for you makes you valuable, so don’t ever sell yourself short (or allow anyone else to sell you short).