Views on Love and Pat Benatar

It's times like these that I feel overly prone to quote the lyrics of Pat Benatar songs, and let's be honest, she has alot of good ones.

"You said - oh girl, it's a cold world

When you keep it all to yourself
I said you can't hide on the inside
All the pain you've ever felt
Ransom my heart, but baby don't look back
Cause we got nobody else"

-Shadows of the Night

Ooh, or these ones:

"We can't afford to be innocent
Stand up and face the enemy.
It's a do or die situation - we will be invincible.
And with the power of conviction there is no sacrifice.
It's a do or die situation - we will be invincible."

-Invincible

Her songs seem to always carry the theme of our individual power to enact change with the realization that this worldly journey is not meant to be taken alone. If you're not going to help me along my journey though, she says in essence, get the heck out of my way. I love it! I'm pretty sure Pat Benatar has been my personal rock hero since the first time I heard my Mama working out to her music in my early childhood. It was Pat, along with my mother, that taught me that love is never just a word, it is an action & not just one action, but a never-ending chain of expression. It is not what is given, it is the manner in which it is given & in which it is received. Love is not an obligation. It cannot be forced, but when present, it is the motivation for our every action. Not to be cliche, but how can it be stated more perfectly than in the word of God?

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

-1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NIV