Category Archives: Stories

Just as You Promised

Posted on April 8, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

I fell asleep beside you in the tomband when I woke up you were gone and not gone. I looked up, and there you were looking down at meand smiling. “Good morning, my Beloved,”you said as if it wasn’t the most famous morningin … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Alice Popkorn, Esther Hizsa, J.R.R.Tolkien, Klimmende win, Morning Mood, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Sylvia Sassen | 2 Comments

May We Love You

Posted on April 2, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

And, now, it is our turnto remind you of your belovedness, Dear One. This week, when you need to hear it most,may we greet you on the road, palms waving.May we wash your beautiful feet,savour our last meal,and feel the sting … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Lent, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Christ in Gethsemane, Crucifixion 2, Esther Hizsa, Jesus down from the cross, Michael D. O'Brien, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Were you there | Leave a comment

My Second Podcast Interview

Posted on March 24, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

In this Hints of Gladness podcast, Rod Janz asks me about my new book In the Heart of the Beloved and the Everyday Pilgrim series. It was a fun conversation. I hope you enjoy listening to it. CLICK HERE TO … Continue reading →

Posted in In the Heart of the Beloved, Reflections, Seed Cracked Open | Tagged Cale Woodley, Esther Hizsa, Hints of Gladness, In the Heart of the Beloved, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 23:6, Psalms for Praying, Rod Janz, Seed Cracked Open, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stories of an Everyday Pilgriem, Time | Leave a comment

What I Heard Before Falling Asleep

Posted on March 17, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

On the daymy sister ended a Zoom callwith a heartfelt “I love you,” a directee dried her eyes and said, “Thank you,” the warm embrace of a friendstill lingered in my body, the rain stopped long enoughfor me to go … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Esther Hizsa, I'll be sittin' when the evenin' comes, Joachim Dobler, lent, Lenten Prayer Practice, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 23:5, Psalms for Praying, Red squirrel, Robert Taylor, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 1 Comment

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 →

Posted in compassion, Lent, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Aaron Schock, angel, Briton Rivièr, Cale Woodley, Esther Hizsa, lent, Lenten Prayer Practice, Matthew 4, Mt. Hope Cemetery, Psalm 63:1, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Temptation in the Wilderness, Time | 1 Comment

Redeemed

Posted on March 3, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

“I need your help,” I said to Fred who was barely awake. “I made a big mistake.” I drew back the curtains to let in the light. “You know that highchair at the church that I thought was too old … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Bruce Fingerhood, Cale Woodley, Coming Home, donds, Dumpster, Esther Hizsa, Henri Nouwen, jump for joy, Lenten retreat, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Time | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in compassion, Lent, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Best Friends, Cale Woodley, Clint Budd, Esther Hizsa, friends, Ian Sane, lent, Lenten Prayer Practice, Pond water, Proverbs 17:17, Ruth Haley Barton, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Time | 2 Comments

That’s What Love Does

Posted on February 17, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Lent, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged 1 John 4:8, Deuteronomy 31:6, Ephesians 3:14-21, Esther Hizsa, Henri Nouwen, I love my father, Lenten Prayer Practice, Luke 15:11-31, Luke 19:11-27, Matthew 17:1-13, Matthew 7:7-11, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Yvette T. | 7 Comments

Love Is Found Here

Posted on February 10, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

For love and freedom are only found when one enjoys each note as it arises,then allows it to go, so as to be fully receptive in the notes that follow.–Anthony de Mello, Stop Fixing Yourself, 130. Each note–this lovely one,that … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Mindfulness, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Anthony de Mello, David L. Fleming SJ, Dr Wendy Longo, Esther Hizsa, I Am Here., I am Home., Insight Timer, Ivan Rigamonti, Moments, Sarah Blondin, Soul of Christ, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stop Fixing Yourself, Zurich Moments | Leave a comment

If I Believed That

Posted on February 3, 2023 by Esther Hizsa

On that day you will realize that I am in my Father,and you are in me, and I am in you.— John 14:20 (NIV) What if that day was today,and today, I woke up and realized this is true? What … Continue reading →