Category Archives: compassion

Telling the Truth

Posted on September 30, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

When I first talked about hurtful experiences in my past, the pain of it was so great, it would swallow me whole. Over the years, good friends, counsellors and spiritual directors listened and validated how awful those moments were. Their … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Reflections | Tagged Colossians 1:19-20, Esther Hizsa, Maya Angelou, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Still I Rise, Truth and Reconciliation | Leave a comment

Patches of You

Posted on September 23, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

Sometimes— let’s face it, a lot of times–I think I would be happier,if life wasn’t clouded with conflict, unsolved problems,deadlines, tension,and unpleasant feelings. Sometimes life just works.Things fall into place.We have summer days of endless skywith no dark clouds anywhere. … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Dark Couds, Esther Hizsa, Katherine May, Krista Tippett, Menacing, On Being, Rachel Gardner, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Walt Stoneburner, What is, Wintering | 2 Comments

In the Potter’s Hands

Posted on September 9, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

“NO!!!” I cried, followed by a WTF, and my world coming to an end. In anyone else’s world, someone had simply made a mistake. No biggie. Easily fixed. But in my world, this was not supposed to happen. Someone (aka … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Amanda Tipton, Clay, Esther Hizsa, Jeremiah18:6, Living from the Heart, Photos By Clark, Potter's Hands, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tantrum, The hands of the potter, Unfolding LIght | Leave a comment

Carried

Posted on August 26, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

Just then some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a stretcher. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but, finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Andreas F Borchert, Esther Hizsa, Felipe Bastos, Friendship, Galatians 6:2, healing of the paralytic, Luke 5:18-20, paralytic lowered throuh the roof, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 2 Comments

Love Finds an Opening

Posted on July 22, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

As I continued to keep watch, I noticed a calmness here, a sadness there, delights and disappointments. But nothing wanted to be written about. I told a friend about my day helping at our church’s thrift shop. “I was standing … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Homelessness, Reflections, Stories, Wednesday Lunch Club | Tagged Burnaby Food Bank, Cameron Elementary School, Covenant House, deckerme, Dixon Transition Society, Doctors Without Borders, Esther Hizsa, Matthew 13:1-9, Ryan Dickey, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, sprouting, St. Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church, Thrift Shop, Union Gospel Mission, watching | 2 Comments

Keep Watching

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I lean my head against Love’s chest,match the rhythm of Her breath,and enter the darkness. The light hurts my eyes. I see what others have done thatI haven’t.I notice habits I have thatthey don’t.I watch myself lose myselfdisappearand want a world with … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, False Self, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged blackberries, Ed Dahl, Esther Hizsa, Jessie Wilcox Smith, Krista Tippett, Moonbeams, My Grandmother's Hands, On Being, Resmaa Menakem, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 1 Comment

Dark Thoughts

Posted on July 8, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I know the dark thoughtsthat keep you awake at night It can’t be true.But what if it is? There is no peaceturning one wayor the other. This is too much for you to bear, my love. Come inside.Let me wrap … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Dark NIght, Eric Verleene., Esther Hizsa, Matthew Kane, Psalm 131:2, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. John of the Cross, Steve Bell, Summer Saturday Moon, Teresa of Avila, The Dark Night of the Soul | 4 Comments

Love Asks for More

Posted on July 1, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

Love always asks more of us.–Wendy J. MacLean Love always asks more of us. Love didn’t ask me to say yes to everything.Love asked me why I wanted to. Love didn’t ask me to shove my fear aside and trust.Love … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Ephesians 5:2, Esther Hizsa, I Corinthians 13, Ivan Rusyn, love, Luke 15:11-31, Mary Hynes, Micah 6:8, Mother Teresa, Oliver Twist, On Small Wings, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tapestry, Theophilos Papadopoulos, Ukraine, Wendy J. MacLean | Leave a comment

Hiding Places

Posted on June 24, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

You may be wondering how the little girl at the window is doing. She’s still there and let me know she kind of liked meeting up with her younger fearless self. As I thought about her, I realized my fearful … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Anne Yungwirth, Esther Hizsa, Ezekiel 34:11-12, Found me, Funkybug, Islamophobia, Joy Is Measurable, Luke 8:16, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, To Yumnah with love, YCCI | 2 Comments

A Kingdom Tale

Posted on June 3, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝕺𝖓𝖊 WHEREIN the King proclaims that all taxes are forthwith suspended. In return for his generosity, the King requires that all his subjects love one another–including their enemies. The Everyday Pilgrim, who lives in this magical land, is filled … Continue reading →