The Father Who Chose Me

When I was around 8 years old, my father, John McLarty, entered my life. Before that, I had never known a man I knew I could call “dad.” After he married my mother, he 100% committed to being our father—so much so that he adopted all three of us. My parents had very little money, but a retiring attorney took on their case for just $100 per child. My dad was all in.

But I wasn’t nearly as committed to being John’s daughter as he was to being my dad.

I was rebellious. I was suspicious of his motives. I was sneaky. Deep down, I didn’t think he’d stick around. But he did. Through my stormy teenage years, he spent hundreds of hours guiding me, counseling me, praying for me—and I mostly ignored him. I thought I didn’t need a dad. After all, I’d made it through my formative years without one.

Yet he stayed. He loved. He gave.

It wasn’t until I became a parent myself that I began to understand the depth of his sacrifice. It’s natural to love your own child—even when they’re difficult—because they’re part of you. But to sacrificially love another man’s child? That takes greater love.

Year after year, my dad gave up time, money, career, and perhaps even the chance to have more biological children. And I was not the model child in return. But he chose fatherhood anyway.

My dad reminds me so much of my Heavenly Father. The day I received Christ as my Savior, God adopted me into His family:

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:12–13 (NKJV)

When I was born again, God adopted me even though He already knew every way I would rebel, resist, and break His heart. He still chose to love me. That kind of love is beyond human understanding.

“For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:7–8 (NKJV)

How merciful and patient God is with us. He loves us more than we love ourselves. He pursued me through years of defiance until His love overcame my resistance. 

When we begin to experience that kind of love, we realize how irresistible God truly is. Like a rescued child, we run into our Savior’s arms. Unlike all of us earthly parents, God never fails. His love is perfect. His plan is good. And He sees a glorious future for us.

Today’s Challenge

If you are born again, take time today to thank God. If you had a father who reflected God’s love, thank him. If not, rejoice that your Heavenly Father is faithful and loving beyond measure. Reflect on the depth of His love—and let it reshape your daily responses to Him.

Prayer

Father God, thank You for adopting me, even when You knew I was unlovable. Thank You for taking me into Your family and never giving up on me. Help me to grasp the depth of Your love and reflect it to others. Thank You for earthly fathers who mirror Your heart—and for being the perfect Father I will always need. In Jesus’ name, Amen.