for free, forever

But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order that He might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba, Father!" Therefore, you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God.
- Galatians 4:4-7

There is nothing a child can do to become a son or daughter, no amount of money they can pay or charm they can possess that will bring them into this relationship - they are just created sons and daughters, even in cases of adoption.

The child receives intimacy, closeness, affection, provision, nurturing, and access. For free. Forever.

We adopt because He showed us how, not because we were born with a heart for it. No one else modeled it for us by adopting us. And as children who long to be identified with their parents, we spend time with Him, and as we draw closer, we pick up some of His traits and characteristics. He lets us look like Him, so people can see the resemblance.

And we are His, for free. Forever.

hiking photos taken from the Butte, Palmer, Alaska