Author Archives: Esther Hizsa

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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.

Helping God Save the Earth

Despite all evidence to the contrary, God will accomplish God’s purposes in Christ. This bold statement, based on Ephesians 1:10 and Colossians 1:19-20, expresses SoulStream community’s core value of hope. My experience in the Valley of Dry Bones echoed this hope. Despite … Continue reading →

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Bone of My Bone, Flesh of My Flesh

I close my eyes to pray, and the hand of the Lord is on me. Like Ezekiel, I am brought out by the Spirit of the Lord and set in the middle of a valley full of bones. Everywhere I look, I see sun-bleached skeletons of … Continue reading →

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I Am My Sister’s Keeper

“Where is your brother Abel?” The Lord asked Cain. Cain, the first child born on earth, had killed Abel. I can imagine God’s anguish. “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.” “In the story of … Continue reading →

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DIY Prayer Retreat #3: Meeting Jesus in Scripture and in Daily Life

Nearly every month I gather with friends for a silent retreat. It has been a rich experience. I explained how it works here and introduced Ignatian prayer  here. Joy Richardson, a spiritual director living in Coquitlam, prepared and led this retreat. An … Continue reading →

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God Is So Beautiful

“Ever since I was twelve years old, I have been deeply moved by beauty,” a friend wrote in response to a recent post. “When I take my morning coffee out onto the back deck, I am surrounded by so many shades of … Continue reading →

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Hidden Beauty

“You have a beautiful smile,” someone said. “I love your laugh,” I heard another say a few days later. “You exude beauty!” a friend told me, looking right into my eyes. I could hardly take it in. They were talking about me … Continue reading →

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Beauty Stares Me in the Face

Every time I look in the mirror, I’m reminded that I don’t look very beautiful. Ouch. Did I say that out loud? Beauty is a sore subject with me, yet over the past few years, God has awakened me to its glory. … Continue reading →

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Questioned by a Strawflower

Five tight buds, glossy purple lollipops, greeted me as I passed them on my way to morning prayers. Many flowers that I recognized were blooming at Twin Creeks Lodge–iris, geraniums, petunias, pansies, and daisies–but I had never seen buds like these before. … Continue reading →

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The Other Voice in My Head

I’m doing it wrong. The voice in my head didn’t mince words. What “it” referred to wasn’t something innocuous like following a recipe; it was my whole spiritual life. Sometimes I’m so confident. I write confidently; I live confidently. Other times … Continue reading →

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Life in the Slow Lane

After eight slow days on the “mountain” with God, I wanted to maintain a more leisurely pace back in the valley of the shadow of life. I took a hard look at my calendar and wondered how I was going to do everything without rushing. … Continue reading →

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