Category Archives: Advent

Someone You Know but Never Met

Posted on December 10, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

The Canadian province of British Columbia on the Pacific coast declared a state of emergency on November 17 following massive floods and landslides caused by record-breaking rainfall in the previous several days. Four people have died as well as over … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Advent, death toll animals, Drew Brayshaw, Esther Hizsa, flood in Abbotsford, Jürgen Mangelsdorf, Mary Wolfe, Singing Shall Be My LIght, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Third Sunday in Advent | 1 Comment

A Quarter Turn

Posted on December 3, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

I suddenly knew I was looking at it from the wrong angle, and I gave the cloth in my hand a quarter turn. Immediately I saw a beautiful and coherent golden pattern…. In wonder, the pattern had emerged, to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Mindfulness, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Advent, Esther Hizsa, Helen Luke, James Finley, Jürgen Mangelsdorf, Luke 1:39-45, Luke 1:46-49, Matthew 1:18-25, Quarter Turn, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. John of the Cross, Such Stuff as Dreams Are Made On, The Dark Night of the Soul, Tristan Unrau, Weaving | Leave a comment

Being the Odd One Out

Posted on November 26, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

Finally, I thought as I placed a mat in front of our door. Now our doorway matched the other three that open onto the breezeway. We are no longer the odd one out. On a Zoom call that week, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Advent, Airwolfhound, Annunciation, Brené Brown, Esther Hizsa, Henri Nouwen, Jürgen Mangelsdorf, John 15:9, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:28, Luke 3:22, Odd One Out, Puffin Island, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Gifts of Imperfection | 1 Comment

You Are Worthy to Leave This Sadness

Posted on November 12, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

He Desired Me So I Came Close No one can near God unless He has prepared a bed for you. A thousand souls hear His call every second, but most every one then looks into their life’s mirror and says, … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Mystical, Poetry, Prayer, Stories | Tagged Advent, Advent Morning Retreat, Annunciation, Audrey Hoehn, Birds on a Wire, Brent Unrau, Daniel Ladinsky, Esther Hizsa, He Desired Me Sio I Came Close, Julie Falk, Love Poems from God, Open Gate, SoulStream, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Teresa of Avila, Tym | 2 Comments

What Can I Bring Him?

Posted on December 24, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; If I were a wise man, I would do my part; –Christina Rosetti, In the Bleak Mid-Winter Oftentimes it is easier … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Mystical, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Christina Rosetti, Esther Hizsa, Illuminated Advent Retreat, In the Bleak Midwinter, Jan Richardson, Kyle Gregory Devaras, Nativity, Night Sky, Ruth Monette, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church, violscaper | Leave a comment

Preparing the Way Home

Posted on December 18, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

From the moment I stepped into this chapel, it felt like home. Wood, stone, glass, and flame together breathed a silent welcome. . . . Advent invites us to prepare the way for the Holy One who comes to meet … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, community, compassion, Creation, Mindfulness, Mystical, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged 3ter Advent, 4 Advent, Advent, Anton Raphael Mengs, Esther Hizsa, grosskopf_photography, Illuminated Advent Retreat, Jan L. Richardson, John 14:20, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. John the Baptist | 2 Comments

In the Shadows

Posted on December 11, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

Those who have sat in the darkness know how the shadows give way to desire. Without sight, without our heads swimming with the images of what others tell us we want, we can turn our gaze inward and search our … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Mystical, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged 3ter Advent, Annunciation, Esther Hizsa, Fra Angelico, grosskopf_photography, Illuminated Advent Retreat, Jan Richardson, myrealnameispete, Parker Palmer, shadow, shy soul, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 2 Comments

Peacemaking

Posted on December 4, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

“Sensing your feet on the floor. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing,” Maureen said. It was her turn to accompany me in a focusing session. “Bringing your inhale inward through your head, use your inhale to make deep … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Overeating, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Advent, calm, Donna Varnau, embodied presence, Esther Hizsa, Felipe Bastos, focusing, grosskopf_photography, John 14:27, Mike Green, Overeating, Psalm 133:1, Rumi, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Guest House | 1 Comment

Safe

Posted on November 27, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

“You are joy. You’re our hope. You are gen-tle-ness.” Then I heard the Poor Clares sing, “You are safe-ty” and teared up. I noticed the impact the word “safety” had on my body and remembered a similar sensation I’d had … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, community, Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Advent Retreat, EFT, Esther Hizsa, focusing, Illuminated, Jan Richardson, Just right she sighed, Matthew 11:28, Poor Clares, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Coquitlam, spiritual director Vancouver, Steve Corey, Tapping, trauma | 1 Comment

Advent IV: Say Yes

Posted on December 20, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the … Continue reading →