"Orphan Girl" is one of my favorite songs by Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings. As much as l love this song and easily identify with my default orphan tendency, the Gospel calls me to enter into the household/family of God in the present reality, with far greater intensity. 

Paul lays out this glorious Gospel in Romans 8 wonderfully. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (v.1) and freedom (v.2). The Spirit of God who dwells in us is the Spirit of adoption and we are sons and daughters of God to Whom we call out as "Abba! Father!" through the same Spirit. By this Spirit we put to death the deeds of the flesh (v.13) We live in the present reality, what N.T. Wright calls the 'interlocking of heaven and earth' facing trials and sufferings as we identify with Christ as our Prophet, Priest and King. We face sufferings not as orphans but as children of God in close communion with Him through the intercession of the Spirit of God who dwells in us; also, it tells Christ Himself interceding for us (v.34b). And in this context Paul tells the believers that 'all things work out for the good for those who are called out for this purpose'. The purpose is to dwell in the present reality- the 'interlocking of heaven and earth', to intercede, suffer with hope as God's image bearers (divine sons and daughters) longing with the rest of creation for the glorious fulfillment of the kingdom. 

Another great song with the orphan theme is Mark Heard's 'Orphans of God' which does indeed capture the existential reality of the adopted ones (in the sight of the world they are 'orphans of God') living in the tension of the interlocking of heaven earth. Nevertheless, the orphan tendency comes out quite easily in the midst of our trials unless we constantly remind ourselves of the Gospel truths. Children of God are not to suffer as orphans!