Category Archives: compassion

My Suffering

Posted on April 21, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Sadness crept closer with each chapter I read. Then it slipped in beside me when the father left too. It was still there the next day and the day after that. Sadness kept coming in through the tiny crack of … Continue reading →

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A Blessing for When You’re in the Wilderness

Posted on March 10, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. —Matthew 4:1 (NIV) On the day the Spirit leads you into the wilderness,may you know it was a Friend that led you thereand that … Continue reading →

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The Journey of Friendship

Posted on February 24, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Recently, a friend let me know they were upset. As I listened, I learned how upset they were and that it was partly because of something I didn’t do. I was grateful that they told me. It was hard for … Continue reading →

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Before the Miracle

Posted on January 20, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

I close my eyes, enter into my imagination, and arrive at the wedding in Cana. I take it all in–joyful chatterolives and garlicky hummusdangling earrings and earnest facesfreshly baked bread and wafts of perfumethe earthen goblet in my hand. Who am … Continue reading →

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Let God Love You

Posted on January 13, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

“You can always come home to God, and God can always be found wherever you are, right at the centre of your soul.” I heard Danielle Shroyer say in this podcast while I was making dinner one evening. “The purpose … Continue reading →

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Arrows

Posted on January 6, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

“Have you had lunch yet?” I asked Fred, hoping he hadn’t eaten the leftover spaghetti. “Yes. I ate the spaghetti,” he said. “It was good.” Argh! Now I’d need to figure out something else to make for dinner. One more … Continue reading →

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Advent 4: Silence

Posted on December 16, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

As I began my four-day retreat last week, I became aware of how uncomfortable I was with the silence–especially in the evening when it was dark, and I couldn’t go for walk or gaze at the sea. I wanted something … Continue reading →

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Advent 1: Touch

Posted on November 25, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I waited for You at the door of wordsbut they were little more thanletters on a pageundecipherable my feelings far away.Did I have any? I fidgeteddistractedpowerless.  Then, through the locked door,You came. “Touch my face,” You said Lost feelingsfound tears. … Continue reading →

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My Goodness

Posted on November 4, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

Of all my fears, the fear that I’m not a good mother tops the list. It came up again in a spiritual direction session after I revealed the latest incriminating evidence and added more tissues to the wet pile on … Continue reading →

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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 →

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