Kolleen Lucariello is a gifted writer who greatly desires to help Christians understand their identity in Christ. In this Spiritual Growth UPGRADE, she encourages us to "live loved."
"When I was seven-years-old my parents adopted a little girl from Korea who bore the name of Park Sun Duk," Kolleen says. "I remember scanning over the pictures of children provided by the adoption agency until the face of a little girl captured our attention. It was love at first sight!"
I (Dawn) always wanted to adopt a child; the Lord didn't have that in His plans for me. But adoption has always been dear to my heart, and I love the picture of God adopting us into His family. So I appreciate this powerful encouragement.
Kolleen continues…
In early April, after months of waiting, our family of five piled into our borrowed grandfather’s car and took off for the eight-hour-trip to the Chicago airport soon to become a family of six.
I only remember bits and pieces of the trip, but one thing I recall is how extremely excited we were to meet our new sister.
When she finally appeared, I could not take my eyes off of her. She was the cutest baby I had ever seen, and boy, did we show her off.
Once she was placed in my mother’s arms, a new name, as well as a new life, awaited her. She was now Kara Louise, a member of the Okerlund family. I loved her instantly.
Of course, like most families—I won’t say all, as there actually may be some families who never experience sibling stuff—but like most, we had our sibling squabbles. As the baby of the family, she could drive me crazy; as cute as she was, she was also just as stubborn. But I loved her.
Throughout the years, we’ve clashed and had our share of disagreements, but I never stopped loving her. We’ve had moments of contention and seasons of silence, but through every emotion and every moment, I’ve continuously loved her.
The funny thing is, regardless of how loved she was, she never fully believed or accepted the love of her adoptive family.
It didn't matter how much we spoke it, tried to show it, or showered love upon her, she just had a very hard time living life loved by us. Simply because she was adopted.
She had moved in, but continually struggled to fully accept that our parents’ love for her was the same regardless of the origin of her birth.
Because of this struggle, she never completely felt secure in her identity as an Okerlund.
I imagine Father God’s heart breaks for His own adopted children who fail to experience the fullness of His love.
Many move in, but continue to live in doubt, wondering how God could love them. We refuse to accept His perfect love based on our simple understanding of love, not His.
Through faith we've been adopted into His family, yet, for some reason, we struggle to feel secure in our new identity as a believer in Jesus.
What a tragedy to reject this kind of love.
In June my sister slipped from her earthly home into her heavenly one, and I believe her struggle to live loved finally ended.
Now, in the presence of Jesus, she is fully aware of the extent of what real love is.
While my heart always broke for her battle here, it now rejoices for her as she finds rest in the fullness of God’s love.
But, why wait? Trust His love is for you, now.
You UPGRADE your life when you:
1. ACCEPT your new identity in Christ!
“Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT)!
Your new identity awaits you. Change your name. You are now a child of God!
2. BELIEVE the celebration is for you!
Jesus said there’s great rejoicing in heaven over the lost sinner who returns home (Luke 15:7).
Share in the excitement. Rejoice in your salvation! Let Him show you off!
3. CLAIM your position in the family!
“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure” (Ephesians 1:5, NLT).
It doesn’t matter where you’ve come from, when you move in with Christ, you are home.
“And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29, NKJV).
You’ve captured the attention of God. Now it’s time to move into His plans for your life.
What thinking must you overcome to accept, believe and claim your position in the family of Christ and live loved?
Kolleen Lucariello, #TheABCGirl, is the author of the devotional book, The ABC’s of Who God Says I Am. Kolleen and her high school sweetheart, Pat, 
reside in Central New York. She’s a mother of three married children and Mimi to four incredible grandkids. She desires to help others find their identity in Christ, one letter at a time. Read more from Kolleen on her website.
Family photos from Kolleen.