[yotlyolqualli]

Many things bring me smiles, and today was/is no exception. The smile from a friend or TT, a TT kiss or hug, a glorious thought, a wonderful dream, a pleasurable fantasy... all can put a smile on my face.

But for me, joy, pure joy, comes from God. I was reading today, from the book of Psalms... "Oh Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth" It goes on to ask the question, basically and loosely translated, "who am I?"

This brought two songs to mind. One is one of my favorite hymns, and the verse in it I love the most is...

"My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole! Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more, praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, oh my soul!"

True joy.

The other song...

"When I think of how He came so far from glory. Came and dwelt among the lowly, such as I. To suffer shame and such disgrace, on Mt. Calvary take my place, then I ask myself this question, who am I?

When I'm reminded of His words, "I'll leave thee, never. Just be true, I'll give to you, life forerver." I wonder what I could have done, to deserve God's only Son; who'll fight my battles until they're won, for who am I?

Who am I that a King should bleed and die for? Who am I that He would pray, "not My will; Thine, Lord." The answer I may never know, why He ever loved me so, that to an old rugged cross He'd go, for who am I?"

Pure joy.

That Creator God, who set the glory above the Heavens, who spoke the entire universe into being, who made, with His hands, mankind, in His own image... loves and cares for me... small, insignificant (in comparison to the world around me) me.

"Who am I?" I am His daughter, and that brings me deep and abiding joy.