Author Archives: Esther Hizsa

About Esther Hizsa

Esther is a writer, spiritual director, and cofacilitates contemplative retreats and courses. She lives in Vernon, B.C. with her husband, Fred.

What Was

Posted on February 14, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

After Mom passed, sadness drifted in and out of my days like a hum in the distance, clearer whenever I looked its way. It didn’t come from the one who had mothered my mother, nor the one who kept wishing for more. It came … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, compassion, Poetry, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Esther Hizsa, four-leaf clover, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Living from the Heart, Mary, Mary Oliver, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, Wild Geese | 2 Comments

Morning Light

Posted on February 9, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

The moment I discovered, with the clarity life brings, that my idea was a good idea, and I should’ve acted on it, a grey cluster of emotions emerged.I felt its weight in my chest. Why did I doubt myself? What do I do now? The … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Early Light, Early Morning LIght, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Living from the Heart, Song of Songs 6:10, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, Tony Armstrong-Sly. | Leave a comment

Come In

Posted on January 31, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

It was comical, really.The day before my mother died,there was a clatter.Clear as a bell, my mom, who hadn’t eaten or spoken for days, called out,“Come in!”“I just dropped something on the floor, ” I said.“Come in!” she said againand went … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, Childhood, compassion, Ignatian Spirituality, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Stories | Tagged ashley rose, Esther Hizsa, Heidi Frehner, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, John 14:3, Living from the Heart, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon | 3 Comments

Bringing My Mother to Jesus

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, compassion, Poetry, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections | Tagged Always With Me, dying, Esther Hizsa, hospice, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Living from the Heart, Luke 5:17-17, Mark 2:1-12, Paul Zach, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon | 4 Comments

The Human Reason

Posted on January 16, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus[stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, “I do choose. Be made … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections | Tagged David Surý, Esther Hizsa, Georg Pencz, He Comes, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Jesus heals the leper, Jonathan Ogden, Living from the Heart, Man sleeping in the street, Mark 1:40-45, Molly Parden, Paul Zach, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, The Porter's Gate | Leave a comment

You Know Enough

Posted on January 9, 2026 by Esther Hizsa

We have known and believe the love that God has for us.–1 John 4:16a (NRSVUE) The word for this new year that came to you –of all the words, this one and of all people, you– what if it isn’t what you should be but … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged *BlueMoon, 1 John 4:16, ashley rose, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spiritual Excercises, Living from the Heart, SoulStream, Spiritual Director North Okanagan, Spiritual Director Vernon, stones, word for the year | Leave a comment

Count Yourself In

Posted on December 31, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

The gull stood on a rock in the sea.Ferry wash struck the rock and drenched her. She shifted her stance but remained, webbed feet on cold mount,as another wave splashed over her,then, another,and another. Why does she keep standing there? The next … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Prayer Retreat Outline, Reflections | Tagged Alan Harper, Esther Hizsa, Galatians 5:1, New Year reflection, seagulls, Spiritual Director Vernon | 2 Comments

The Word Became Flesh

Posted on December 24, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighbourhood.We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory, like Father, like Son,Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.-John 1:14 (The Message) Credits and References:Image of candle from Rawpixel Creative … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Emmanuel, Esther Hizsa, John 1:14, Nativity, sneak in through the back door, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, violscaper | Leave a comment

Encountering God in Our Emotions

Posted on December 19, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

The Christmas season tends to evoke a range of emotions in us. While we express tidings of comfort and joy, we may feel anything but comforted or joyful. It’s good to pay attention to those unsettling feelings and listen to … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, compassion, Popular Posts | Tagged Angry Pflümli, Campus Crusade, Cat, Descend with the mind, Fact Faith Feeling Train, Four Spiritual Laws, grosskopf_photography, Jeff Imbach, Kevin Dooley, Living from the Heart, Richard J. Foster, Sanctuary of the Soul, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tambako the Jaguar, Theophan the Recluse | Leave a comment

Christ In Me, With Me, For Me

Posted on December 12, 2025 by Esther Hizsa

This Advent, God’s been inviting me to live in the reality that Christ is in me, with me, and for me. I noticed, when I undertook a task or wrote a post, that I was not alone. I felt accompanied … Continue reading →