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.
A friend of mine recently returned from a three hundred kilometre pilgrimage in the United Kingdom. She and her husband walked twenty-five kilometres a day, much of it in silence. As they walked, she experienced a deepening stillness that enabled … Continue reading →
Blessed Trinity, I receive your love, your presence and this day as a gift from you. I open my heart to you. Please lead me deeper into your transforming love as we live these next hours together. Amen. Every morning, along with others … Continue reading →
I went to my first spiritual director a dozen years ago while I was studying at Regent College. After a few sessions my director said gently, “You have a lot of noisy, discouraging tapes playing in your head. I can’t compete with … Continue reading →
Howard, Leonard, Penny, Sheldon, and Raj in the TV series Big Bang Theory I’m into the second week of my cold with little energy to do more than watch Big Bang Theory. I borrowed Season Three from the library and put … Continue reading →
Sunday morning the new guy preaches again. He jokes and sings. He’s not afraid to say what’s true. He’s not afraid. He sees the stressed look on my face and winks. The man reminds me of Hafiz—the way he goes about humming and opening doors. I take a … Continue reading →
Posted in Poetry, Stories
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Tagged Daniel Ladinsky, Dropping Keys, Hafiz, Open Gate, poet, prisoners, Sufi, The Gift, Tym, unafraid
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I hang up the phone and bite my lip. Did I say too much? Push too hard? Why did she have to hang up so suddenly? I took a risk and challenged her perspective; now I fear the worst. I’m … Continue reading →
Walking home from the store I run into “Philip,” a guy in the neighbourhood who attends our church once in a while. He smiles and says hello, but frowns when I ask him how he’s doing. He tells me again … Continue reading →
Posted in Childhood, Stories
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Tagged Anne Yungwirth, Blowies, dandelion, Ed Dahl, Grade 5, Mrs. Sidon, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 139, Psalms for Praying, Survive, What Jesus Cares About
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Steep your life in God-reality. — Matthew 6:33 (The Message) Before I published last Friday’s post, I e-mailed Steve Imbach for permission to share his story about the sleepless night. In response he said, “If it were now I would … Continue reading →
Posted in Childhood, Popular Posts, Stories
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Tagged Amancay Maahs, cell phone, fortress, God's love, God-reality, Matthew 6:33, Psalm 62, rock, Rudolf Vlček, safe place, Steve Imbach, studiobaker
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“If God speaks anywhere, it is into our personal lives that he speaks…” – Frederick Buechner, Now and Then: A Memoir of Vocation God knows our thoughts even before we do (Psalm 139). And having heard all our thoughts, God must … Continue reading →
Posted in Childhood, Popular Posts
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Tagged Anne Yungwirth, cell phone, Esther Hizsa, everyday, Frederick Buechner, God's love, Karen Tjøstelsdatter, Philip Howard, Psalm 139, spiritual journey, Steve Imbach
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I have no doubt that God was speaking to me—in the incident with my cell phone, in conversations with friends, and in the scriptures I read. The message is clear: “You are precious to me. I will look after you, … Continue reading →
An Everyday Pilgrim 