I ne’er could be condemned by God, For He has died for me!

None of us (here, at least) want to know what the lefty blogs are saying about Sarah or Bristol Palin. The things they were and are saying about baby Trig are awful enough, though unsurprising.

Politically speaking, it’s obviously a good thing that Palin has pointed out the pregnancy of her unwed 17 year-old daughter herself, lest the left make a stink about it and accuse the campaign of a coverup and obfuscation, though it was already general knowledge back home. Though Sarah Palin is already being excoriated for her pro-life, pro-abstinence stance (anyone else see Mort Kondracke on Special Report with Brit Hume tonight, and the way Bill Kristol called him out? Ouch!), as the Time article pointed out, Governor Palin is a member of Feminists For Life, a pro-life, pro-abstinence group which doesn’t oppose birth control. Interestingly, some think that this and other issues surrounding the family highlight Sarah Palin’s normal, average-Americanness, making her seem more down-to-earth and approachable.

As it is, though it’s being made into a political football by the left, this is ultimately a personal matter, and I really don’t even feel comfortable discussing it. But since politics are discussed very frequently here, and I’m clearly thrilled about the selection of Palin…Though this family issue has been made very, very public, the press release regarding the pregnancy and upcoming wedding is probably not even slightly changed from the way the Palins have been handling this all along.

It’s the kind of response the majority of parents would have in the same situation, and it’s a response similar to the one God gives when we crawl to Him, weeping over our sinful, evil natures and deeds, asking for His forgiveness, and His help in overcoming themselves and surrendering to Him.

Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned. As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows she has our unconditional love and support.

None of us are perfect. We can probably fairly even go so far as to say that all of us are failures. Unable to make it or be good on our own, much less be holy, we all have smears on our records we’d rather no one know about, much less a perfect and just God.

As it is, though, when we turn to and follow Christ, we’re seen as justified. We first must admit our filthiness, and though we often hesitate due to fear or guilt, we must go to our Heavenly Father, confess what we’ve done, and throw ourselves upon His mercy. His response? It is forgiveness, lovingkindness, and His support as we continue in our attempts to be like Himself and like Jesus.

The Palins are not perfect people. None of us are. But like all Christians, the difference between them and the lost is that they realize their hopelessness and failures, and have turned to the only One capable of forgiving, and certainly the only One who is truly just in his judgments. their response to their daughter’s failure in this area reflects the response of our Father in Heaven; though there are consequences to be paid, there is also forgiveness, love, and a guiding, supportive hand.

Of course, God in His wisdom has provided spirits with an extra measure of grace: Jesus carries our burdens and even ourselves when we are weary, borne down with our own sin and regret.

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

~ Matthew 11:28-29, ESV

Best wishes to young Bristol, her husband-to-be, and all the Palins. This cannot be an easy time, and the hypocritical, gleeful condemnation of the press and the left. Though the world all too happily bears down upon us and publicly puts the screws to our deepest hurts and shames, Christ offers to bear those burdens for us when we deserve every ounce of punishment. Though there are consequences, He offers to hold our hand throughout.

Amazingly enough, when the pain of our own evil becomes to much, we can turn with confidence to the perfect One who never sinned, the very One who bore the punishment for our sins, and find real hope and compassion in Him.