Category Archives: Lent

Resisting the Sirens

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

I remember the first time I identified the delicious desire to disappear. I felt enticed to float away into another world where nothing was expected of me. Sirens,* born of innocent angst, sang to me from the shore. They continue to … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Popular Posts | Tagged Acedia, and me, disappear, Edward Armitage, grounded, Ignatian Sprititual Exercises, Kathleen Norris, Nan C. Merrill, noonday demon, psalm 1, Psalms for Praying, unteathered | 3 Comments

The Desire to Disappear

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

“Sometimes I wish I could disappear,” I told Father Elton once while I was doing the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises last year. “Of course you do,” he said. “You want to do as you were told.” “What do you mean?” I … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Ignatian Spirituality, Lent, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged being present, desires of our heart, disappear, Ignatian Sprititual Exercises, prayer, Psalm 37:4, SIMindy | 3 Comments

Closed for a Reason

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

Words bounce off my heart like rain on pavement. Not just any words. God’s words. They won’t go in. It’s like I’m closed, locked up tight. I sit with my Bible open on my lap and remember another time when … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Popular Posts, Stories, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | Tagged Astronomical Units, closed to God, Ecclesiastes 3, Exodus 17:5-7, hard heart, justmakeit, Psalm 16:2, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim, We're Closed | 2 Comments

Facing the Page

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

Deadlines intimidate me, especially when writing’s involved. I’ve learned the wisdom of waiting for a wave of creativity to carry me and not try to struggle against the tide. But a deadline says: Get going. You’ve used up your quota … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Stories, Writing | Tagged Bruce Cockburn, deadline, feather on the breath of God, Hildegard of Bingen, Isaiah 41:13, Jonathan Bliss, Lenten devotional, Luke 15, Luke 15 sermon, Megan Yungwirth, Pacing the Cage, sermon writing, writing process | 2 Comments

Ash Wednesday

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. – Luke 9:51 Pilgrimage Ash Wednesday He’s on the road PUT waiting for me today we begin a forty day walk to Jerusalem I lace up my shoes and follow PUT from a safe distance but it’s … Continue reading →