Category Archives: Helpful Images

Right Where I Am

Posted on November 9, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

I looked at this drawing of an injured bird and felt tender inside. I lingered for a while with that feeling and the sense of being held. Then, in the retreat’s spacious silence, I reflected on a poem by Mary … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpful Images, Poetry, Praying with the Imagination, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What’s a Bucket to Do?

Posted on October 6, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

I’ve been on Bowen Island co-facilitating Living from the Heart, so I’ve had no time to write. But I think you’ll like this post (originally published in 2014) which follows up what I posted last week. The quote at the bottom … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpful Images, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Immersed in an Ocean of Love

Posted on September 29, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

Here’s one of my favourite posts, originally published January 17, 2014. I hope you enjoy it. I awake at 4 a.m. with an emotional heaviness and remember what caused this feeling. I got hoodwinked by fear in a legitimate disguise: I … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpful Images, Mystical, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Praying with the Imagination, Rob Des Cotes, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

God Inclined His Ear to Me

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

I love the Lord, because he has heard     my voice and my supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me,     therefore I will call on him as long as I live. –Psalm 116:1,2 I imagine God inclining his/her ear to … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Helpful Images, Reflections, Spiritual Direction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

God’s Salvific Love

Posted on October 21, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

“This helplessness, what’s it like?” asked my spiritual director. It took me a few minutes to let the feeling return to my body. It’s how I felt the night I was driving to a friend’s house in the rain. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpful Images, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Goodbye, Rob

Posted on April 15, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

On April 6 friend and mentor Rob Des Cotes passed into glory. Rob was a pastor, spiritual director and retreat leader as well as a husband, father, and grandfather, musician, writer and artist. Hearing God’s call to go deeper in contemplative … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpful Images, Mystical, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Praying with the Imagination, Rob Des Cotes, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Moving from “Me” to “We”

Posted on March 19, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

If I were Jesus riding into Jerusalem, I would have been pretty agitated. Imagine entering the city where you’re about to be betrayed, abandoned, beaten, and killed. How could Jesus remain present to the crowds of joyous people shouting, “Hosanna!”? Before the week is through, … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Helpful Images, Holy Week, Lent, Rob Des Cotes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

A Miracle Day

Posted on June 7, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

  They were filled with the Holy Spirit. Not just some believers, but all of them. When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house … Continue reading →

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Christ Will Come Again

Posted on May 29, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

The disciples were anxious, afraid and extremely sad as they watched Jesus whisked up to heaven. What would they do now?  He promised he wouldn’t leave them alone, that God would send the Holy Spirit. But how could this Spirit possibly replace Jesus? What … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Helpful Images | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Moving from “Me” to “We”

Posted on April 12, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

If I were Jesus riding into Jerusalem, I would have been pretty agitated. Imagine entering the city where you’re about to be betrayed, abandoned, beaten, and killed. How could Jesus remain present to the crowds of joyous people shouting, “Hosanna!”? Before the week is through, … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpful Images, Holy Week, Lent, Rob Des Cotes | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments