Category Archives: community

I Have Arrived

Posted on July 13, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

It was 38 degrees outside when I entered the cool of the seniors’ residence with a potted cyclamen for my mom. Yvonne, my favourite resident, asks “Do you ever stop?” I could have said, “Yes.” and told her about my quiet times and … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Mindfulness, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Acts 17:28, Esther Hizsa, faungg's photos, Muurbloem, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stop running, Stop?, Sylvia Sassen, Thich Naht Hanh | Leave a comment

A Message in Surround Sound

Posted on June 29, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

The odometer on my bike flashes 9999.9. Until it’s reset, it won’t report my distance, time, or average speed– .only how fast I’m going right now. Signs on driveways and outside schoolyardssay, “Slow down.” I notice how long it takes Fred to end … Continue reading →

Posted in community, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Confessions of a Guilty Bystander, Esther Hizsa, John Reynolds, Please Slow Down, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

The Truth That Set You Free

Posted on June 14, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

Sitting on the hillside,listening to the preacher,you can’t remember the words exactly–something about the kingdom of Godand the list of who are blessed and belong–and it dawned on you:it’s everyone.Everyone.Everyone belongs in God’s forever kingdom of love,including you. Tears filled … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, community, compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, James Finley, John 8:32, Luke 23:34, Matthew 5:1-12, Sermon on the Mount, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 4 Comments

What It Means to Live from the Heart: A Podcast Conversation

Posted on May 18, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

Recently, I had the wonderful opportunity of being interviewed by my friend and colleague Deb Arndt, for the second episode of the Living from the Heart podcast. In it, I shared my experiences of living from the heart and receiving … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories, Writing | Tagged A Taste of Living from the Heart, Brent Unrau, Deb Arndt, Esther Hizsa, Irene Fennema, Living from the Heart, Living from the Heart Podcast, Maureen Miller, Rod Janz, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

Always

Posted on January 13, 2024 by Esther Hizsa

Before He said the words,before I was lowered through the roof,before I became sick and paralyzed,before my first transgression,before I was even born,I was loved.I was forgiven. Before I picked up my matand walked,I was whole.I was enough.I didn’t need … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Habakkuk 2:14, Harold Copping, Hawaii, healing of the paralytic, Mark 2:1-12, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stnley Zimmy | Leave a comment

On That Day

Posted on November 17, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

People were eating, drinking, marrying and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. … It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, community, compassion, Justice, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Barefeet on red dirt, Bengladesh, Esther Hizsa, Floods in Bengladesh, FrankOWeaver, Luke 17:27, Luke 17:33, Luke 17:34, Luke 19:10, Luke17:30, Moniruzzaman Sazal, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 3 Comments

In the Valley of the Shadow of Death

Posted on September 30, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

When we imagine surrendering our life to God, we often brace ourselves for unwanted change. Of course, we do, fearful creatures that we are. But after I asked God to take and receive my life at the end of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, community, compassion, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Glacier National Park, naserke, Psalm 23:4, Rogers Pass, Shepherd and His Flock, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tobias Nordhausen | 2 Comments

Caregivers

Posted on September 15, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

I have been an independent womandoing what I like since I became an adult. Then suddenly I becamea caregiver.Now, my life is not my own.My thoughts are about someone else–their needs, their health. Life as I knew it was swept off … Continue reading →

Posted in Aging, community, compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged caregivers, Chronic Joy, Esther Hizsa, Jesus healing Peter's mother-in-law, John 21:18, Rembrandt, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 7 Comments

Calling in the Angels

Posted on September 1, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

The rhythm of the everyday pilgrim includes coffee in the morning and a spacious amount of time to quiet her mind and open her heartto meet God in silence. Her Rule of Life reminds her toget outside, eat well,and look for God in … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Prayer, Reflections, Writing | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Psalm 139:8, Sharon Sperry Bloom, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tularosa is beautiful | 1 Comment

Falling in Love

Posted on June 30, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

How can I go off-grid for eight days while our priest was away? I had heard that the Jesuit Spirituality Apostolate of Vancouver was offering another eight-day retreat. I considered going, but I’m one of the churchwardens who, along with … Continue reading →