“Tough Love”

Hebrews 12: 6: “For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives.” Wow, what a strange way to show love! And what a strange scripture for Valentine’s Day! That’s because it’s also Ash Wednesday this year, and the two are not as antithetical as you might think. Ash Wednesday is about remembering and returning to God’s love, and Valentine’s Day is about … well, God’s love and Ash Wednesday go together anyway. Valentine’s Day goes together with something rather different.