Grace Filled Lemons

There’s a kind of joy the world offers—loud, fleeting, and dependent on circumstances. Then there’s another kind. Quieter. Deeper. Holy. The kind that lingers when the party’s over, when the diagnosis comes, when the light dims. I used to chase the first kind, hoping it would satisfy. But it never did.

It wasn’t until I started encountering holy joy—the kind that flows from the heart of God—that I understood the difference.

Worldly Joy: The Sugar Rush

Worldly joy is everywhere. It’s the feeling we get when we buy something new, hear our name praised, or momentarily escape the hard parts of life. It’s not inherently wrong—God made us to feel pleasure and delight—but worldly joy depends on something external. It’s conditional.

We often feel pressured to stay “happy” according to the world’s definition:
• Be successful.
• Stay entertained.
• Avoid suffering.
• Keep up appearances.

But this kind of joy has a shelf life. It fades as quickly as it came, and we’re left chasing the next fix. It’s a sugar rush for the soul.

Holy Joy: The Anchor

Holy joy is different. It’s not rooted in how things look or feel—it’s rooted in Who God is.

It’s the peace that slips into the room during prayer, even when nothing in your life has changed.
It’s the presence you feel in Adoration or in the beauty of creation.
It’s the deep knowing that you are held, even in sorrow.
It’s the kind of joy the saints had—sometimes through tears.

Holy joy is:
• Steady.
• Humble.
• Quiet.
• Radiant, not flashy.
• Often misunderstood by the world.

It doesn’t ignore suffering—it transforms it. It doesn’t bypass the cross—it flows through it.

The Joy of the Saints

Look at the lives of the saints. Many were poor, persecuted, imprisoned, or chronically ill. And yet they radiated joy. Not because life was easy—but because they had made their home in Christ.

St. Teresa of Ávila said, “God alone suffices.”
St. Thérèse of Lisieux said, “Joy is not found in the things which surround us, but lives only in the soul.”

These women knew a joy that didn’t come from success or comfort—it came from union.

How to Cultivate Holy Joy

Holy joy isn’t something we can fake or force. But we can cultivate it by:
• Spending time in quiet prayer (especially before the Eucharist)
• Reading Scripture slowly and reflectively
• Detaching from what the world tells us we need to be happy
• Practicing gratitude in all circumstances
• Letting God love us in our weakness, not just our strength

When we draw close to Christ—especially through the sacraments—joy begins to rise up from the inside. Not because everything is perfect, but because He is present.

Reflection

If you’re longing for more than the next high or fleeting distraction—if the world’s version of joy has left you tired—come and sit at His feet. Let His joy become your strength. It won’t shout. It will whisper. And it will remain.

“Incense of Joy” Diffuser Blend

A sacred-scented blend inspired by the quiet joy found in the presence of God.

“Incense of Joy” Diffuser Blend
• 2 drops Frankincense – for grounding, spiritual clarity, and ancient sacred aroma
• 2 drops Cedarwood – for deep calm and rootedness in God’s presence
• 1 drop Myrrh – to evoke reverence, stillness, and holy mystery
• 1 drop Sweet Orange – to gently lift the heart and symbolize radiant joy
• Optional: 1 drop Patchouli or Vetiver – for an earthy, incense-like depth

Directions:
Add oils to your diffuser with clean water. Light a candle or sit quietly in prayer as the scent surrounds you. Let it remind you of the tabernacle, of incense rising like prayer, and of the joy that only God can give.

Closing Prayer

Jesus, I’ve chased joy that doesn’t last. Fill me instead with what is eternal. Teach me to delight in You—especially when life feels heavy. Anchor me in the joy that flows from Your heart. Let my life quietly shine with the light of Your presence. Amen.

In His Love,

Laura