I’m going to simply paste the definition of the word here from Webster’s 1828 dictionary. Really refreshing to soak in this definition of adoption and consider this question: Is there someone God has placed in your life who you think He may be wanting you to adopt? This isn’t necessarilly that you need to adopt them according to humanity’s temporary laws but more deep still, adoption at the heart and relational level. I’m learning how truly beautiful it is to take a few select people into that special place of heart where you count them as your own family and love them lastingly. God is teaching me what this looks like in my life with my wife. What does this look like in your life?
ADOP’TION, n. [L. adoptio.]
1. The act of adopting, or the state of being adopted; the taking and treating of a stranger as one’s own child.
2. The receiving as one’s own, what is new or not natural.
3. God’s taking the sinful children of men into his favor and protection.
May God make clear to us as His children whom we are to take in as our children and love in lasting ways. God is so awesome to care for us and seek our hearts. May we do the same for those God gives us to serve and love and enjoy.
In His family,
– Torrey
Grounded Gospel 
I love that the definition itself doesn’t specify anything “legal” or “official.” I was a bit surprised, so I just did a little bit of scouting around myself and found the same. While the formality and legality of adoption is a wonderful thing, it does not bind or define our love for another.
Very cool findings! Totally agree with you that the legal form of adoption is amazing and yet that the deeper and more special part of adoption is legal in God’s eyes, where it matters most. It’s easy to see earthly binding of ourselves in family relationship as somehow more important than the spiritual and eternal. All those who place their trust in Jesus Christ and realize His death for us as their own… All of us who believe this are eternal siblings in Christ, right? If this is the case, why can’t we count those God places in our lives as His gifts, just like blood relatives, to be loved and cherrished.