Category Archives: Stories

In the Potter’s Hands

Posted on September 9, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

“NO!!!” I cried, followed by a WTF, and my world coming to an end. In anyone else’s world, someone had simply made a mistake. No biggie. Easily fixed. But in my world, this was not supposed to happen. Someone (aka … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Amanda Tipton, Clay, Esther Hizsa, Jeremiah18:6, Living from the Heart, Photos By Clark, Potter's Hands, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tantrum, The hands of the potter, Unfolding LIght | Leave a comment

Stay Right Here

Posted on September 2, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

Summer wasn’t finished.There were more mountains I wanted to climbwhen autumn came demanding, list in hand,reminding me of all the preparations to be madedeadlines to meetand commitments to honour.A rising tide of the urgenttriggered an internal tide of anxiety. “Breathe,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Mindfulness, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Charlie Day, Esther Hizsa, Isaiah 30:15, Living from the Heart, Nelson Boschman, rising tide, Sasquatch Provincial Park, seagull, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, stokes rx, stokes rx., The Growing Season, trust, Wet Feet | 3 Comments

Carried

Posted on August 26, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

Just then some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a stretcher. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but, finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Andreas F Borchert, Esther Hizsa, Felipe Bastos, Friendship, Galatians 6:2, healing of the paralytic, Luke 5:18-20, paralytic lowered throuh the roof, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 2 Comments

Enjoy This Too

Posted on August 19, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

Peace followed me home like a stray pup with soulful eyes accompanying me everywhere, barking at strangers, snapping at flies, resting her head on my lap as if she belonged to me. The little girl in me asks, “Can we … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Bow Lake, Emwilson_photography, Esther Hizsa, John 14:27, localpups, Man's best friend, peace, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, www.localpuppybreeders.com | Leave a comment

A Beautiful Yes

Posted on August 12, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

In Celtic spirituality, there is the “Little Book” of scripture and the “Big Book” of creation. Fred and I have been sleeping and waking in the Big Book for twelve wonder-filled days. I am reminded, as I was on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Acts 17:28, Banff, Esther Hizsa, Glacier National Park, llecillewaet, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Whyte Museum, Yoho | 2 Comments

It’s Endless!

Posted on August 5, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

It’s endless,” I said to Fred. “Every time I finish cleaning one thing, I see something else that’s dirty.” I wanted our home to be neat and tidy for our friends who would be staying there for a week while … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Stories | Tagged A new broom, Esther Hizsa, Field BC, Friends of Yoho, Kate Ter Haar, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Yoho | 1 Comment

“Amen,” You Said

Posted on July 29, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

The good news is that everything is forgiven—everything.—Steve Garnaas-Holmes, “Erased” “Amen,” you said,and you believed it.You taught it,preached it,and blogged about it.“I can love myself just the way I am–warts and all–because that’s the way God loves me,”you said,and you … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Crusty Da Klown, Erased, Esther Hizsa, Friendship, Luke 15, Pompeo Batoni, Psalm 23, Rainier Martin Ampongan, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Steve Garnaas-Holmes, The Difficult Path, The Return of the Prodigal Son | Leave a comment

Love Finds an Opening

Posted on July 22, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

As I continued to keep watch, I noticed a calmness here, a sadness there, delights and disappointments. But nothing wanted to be written about. I told a friend about my day helping at our church’s thrift shop. “I was standing … Continue reading →

Posted in community, compassion, Homelessness, Reflections, Stories, Wednesday Lunch Club | Tagged Burnaby Food Bank, Cameron Elementary School, Covenant House, deckerme, Dixon Transition Society, Doctors Without Borders, Esther Hizsa, Matthew 13:1-9, Ryan Dickey, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, sprouting, St. Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church, Thrift Shop, Union Gospel Mission, watching | 2 Comments

Keep Watching

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I lean my head against Love’s chest,match the rhythm of Her breath,and enter the darkness. The light hurts my eyes. I see what others have done thatI haven’t.I notice habits I have thatthey don’t.I watch myself lose myselfdisappearand want a world with … Continue reading →

Posted in compassion, False Self, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged blackberries, Ed Dahl, Esther Hizsa, Jessie Wilcox Smith, Krista Tippett, Moonbeams, My Grandmother's Hands, On Being, Resmaa Menakem, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 1 Comment

Dark Thoughts

Posted on July 8, 2022 by Esther Hizsa

I know the dark thoughtsthat keep you awake at night It can’t be true.But what if it is? There is no peaceturning one wayor the other. This is too much for you to bear, my love. Come inside.Let me wrap … Continue reading →