Adopted or Foster Child?

I was thinking the other day during my hour-long trek to work about...what else? The difference between being a foster child and being adopted. Specifically, what does it feel like to be a foster child versus an adopted child? Frankly, I don't know because I've never been either one but the question still grips me and I want to pull on that thread and see what comes out.

A foster child, I think, would always have a sense of insecurity and longing to be adopted, to belong to a "real" family. If the child has been in lots of different homes they would probably not even know what it would feel like to truly get settled in and know they would wake up every day in the same bed. A really, really hard thing...

Then there's the adopted child. Even if the child would have preferred to know their own parents, there is still a sense of stability and belonging with the family. They would also know that they are really wanted because the adopting family has to jump through a lot of hoops to bring that child into their family.

So...when the Word of God speaks about the "spirit of adoption" as sons by which we cry out "Abba! Father!" - and Abba means "Daddy" - (see Romans 8:14-16) - it makes me wonder about the rest of us. Do we approach God as if we are foster children, insecure and unsure about if we can get very close to God, much less spend much time with Him. Or do we embrace the spirit of adoption and race to His lap, expectant and confident that He will be delighted we are there. What is true for you?