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Category Archives: Poverty of Spirit
The Other Side of the Line
After I got over the shock of discovering I’m one of “those people,” I began to wonder about the distinctions I make. What constitutes being “those people” anyway? We easily divide people into two kinds: life-giving people and life-draining people cup half-full people and cup … Continue reading →
Posted in Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged A Firm Place to Stand, bad people, Esther Hizsa, good people, Living Room, Luke 15:1-6, Marja Bergen, Radical Welcome, Reflections for Our Highs and Lows, rejection, Riding the Roller Coaster, Sanctuary Mental Health Minstries, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stephanie Spellers
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3 Comments
A Pleasant Place of Shelter
The woman interrupted me mid-sentence. “You need to know that something you said two years ago really hurt me.” I stood there stunned by the pain on her face and the anger in her voice. She told me what I’d said … Continue reading →
Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories
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Tagged Esther Hizsa, humility, Imercer, Isaiah 43: 16, Isaiah 43: 19, Jason R. Goode, Numb, Olivier Noirhomme, snowy chain, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. Francis, St. Thérèse of Lisieux
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3 Comments
Undoing My Life
I’m still thinking about the “Oh, no!” I heard when a toy car went over the edge of the coffee table and crashed. I imagine that a lot actually, when I fear going over the edge of acceptance and falling into a pit of rejection. Many things–gaining weight, … Continue reading →
Posted in Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Stories
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Tagged Cerus Scarf, Deb Arndt, Esther Hizsa, Jagrap, Jeff Imbach, La Marseillaise, let go of identity, Living from the Heart, rejected one, Roberto Ferrari, Sottosopra, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tony & Wayne, Undoing
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6 Comments
Spinning and Waiting
Ever since my book’s come out, I’ve been feeling anxious and vulnerable. I prayed for God’s comfort and the images of the Mountain Ash tree and the Salzburg Cross, and Hafiz’s love poem came to me. I sensed God saying, … Continue reading →
Weighted Blessing
The Mountain Ash tree in my parents’ backyard was heavily laden with berries. There must have been two hundred clusters of them. “Won’t they make a big mess when they fall off?” I asked my eighty-seven-year-old father. Dad reassured me that … Continue reading →
Posted in Poetry, Poverty of Spirit, Stories
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Tagged Amanda Graham, Cedar Wax Wing, Elizabeth McKitrick, Hafiz, JPC.raleigh. Randen Pedersen, Just Sit There Right Now, Martha Carlough, Mountain Ash, Salzburg Cross, Second Nature Home, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver
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Balancing the Impossible
I’m becoming wary of my false self and its admirable intentions. Now, when I think about doing something good, I ask myself why I’m doing it. Is it to enhance my reputation, bring personal gain, or help me feel good? Or am … Continue reading →
Posted in False Self, Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Spiritual Direction, Stories
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Tagged Burning Bush, David L. Fleming SJ, Esther Hizsa, false self, Ignatian Sprititual Exercises, Luke 1:37, Mark 10:17-31, Micahel Cook, Principle and Foundation, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim
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Life by Way of Mistakes
“Sell the painting that’s worth the most,” I coached our eight-year-old grandson. Methodically, he lifted each small masterpiece in front of him and peeked under them to see their value. He passed over a Cézanne, which I knew was worth ten million dollars because he … Continue reading →
Being “That Woman”
Am I afraid to be ordinary? It’s fun watching people who don’t know me come alive when I give a talk or facilitate a group. Before that moment, I blend into the crowd (in the photo above, I’m the short one in … Continue reading →
Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections
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Tagged Brene Brown, Daring Greatly, Dustin Gaffke, Ecclesiasticus 14:2, Esther Hizsa, fear of being ordinary, man fully alive, Martin Hricko, narcissism, Philippians 4:19, Psalm 139:13-14, Pure Joy, Rumi, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, the golden dream, The Guest House
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5 Comments
The Other Voice in My Head
I’m doing it wrong. The voice in my head didn’t mince words. What “it” referred to wasn’t something innocuous like following a recipe; it was my whole spiritual life. Sometimes I’m so confident. I write confidently; I live confidently. Other times … Continue reading →
Life in the Slow Lane
After eight slow days on the “mountain” with God, I wanted to maintain a more leisurely pace back in the valley of the shadow of life. I took a hard look at my calendar and wondered how I was going to do everything without rushing. … Continue reading →
An Everyday Pilgrim 