Category Archives: Stories

The Last Word

Posted on November 17, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

I told my spiritual director about a recent experience of feeling like a bull in a china shop. In situations like this, I’m reminded of the Nissan Bluebird we briefly owned. Two decades ago when our family was sailing around … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged C33 Nissan Laurel RD, deeper trust, Esther Hizsa, insecurity, JChubby, John 11:25, Johnny Sears, Nissan Bluebird, resurrection, spiritual direction, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 2 Comments

Autumn Leaves

Posted on November 10, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

Sometimes I’m a bull in a china shop. No matter how cautiously I tread, I break a family heirloom or someone gets cut by shards of glass. I regret the mayhem I’ve caused and feelings of insecurity rise up. Will … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Autumn Bench, Autumn Colors, change, Courtyard Japanese, Esther Hizsa, Garden, insecurity, Jim Choate, Johnny Sears, letting go, loss, Markus Stöber, peaceful-jp-scenery (busy), spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Transformation | 2 Comments

DIY Prayer Retreat #10: The Days of Autumn

Posted on November 9, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

Here’s another one-day prayer/silent retreat outline. Boelle Kirby adapted it from sections of “Befriending Insecurity” by Johnny Sears in Weavings Journal, Nov/Dec/Jan 2016-17, and May I Have This Dance by Joyce Rupp. You’ll find the introduction to Do It Yourself group prayer retreats here and other … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer Retreat Outline, Reflections | Tagged Boelle Kirby, Carl Mueller, Creative Splurges, Esther Hizsa, fall leaves, Horse Chestnut terminal bud in winter, Johnny Sears, Joyce Rupp, leaf, Rob Howard, Sharon, Shaun C. Williams, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 1 Comment

Silently Blooming

Posted on November 3, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

It’s this time of year, when the nights are long and the days cold and rainy, that I begin to accompany people through the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises Retreat in Daily Life. These retreatants embark on a nine-month journey with Christ, asking … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Audrey Assad, Christmas Cactus, Early Bud, Esther Hizsa, I Shall Not Want, Ignatian Spirituality, Ignatian Sprititual Exercises, Lonely, Michael.PortrayingLife.com, Psalm 23:1, R. Halfpaap, spiritual direction, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 1 Comment

A Prayer for When You’re in the Middle of the Story

Posted on October 27, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. –Isaiah 41:13 (NIV) God, you promised to help me, your right hand guiding, with a cautious squeeze or a confident tug. … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Alone, Andrei Niemimäki, Banana Land, Chiquita Banana, cold, Esther Hizsa, Isaiah 41:13, Luis Alveart, Psalm 10:1, spiritual direction, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

A Little More Freedom, Trust and Grace

Posted on October 20, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

I loved the idea that, despite my misguided actions, God saw my intent and looked upon me with kindness. But it didn’t take me long to realize that it was God who brought those actions to my attention in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Reflections, Wednesday Lunch Club | Tagged Community Builder of the Year, Douglas College, Ed Dahl, Esther Hizsa, Father Elton Fernandes, Jacquoline Martin, Luke 12:29-31, Martha Soukup, Notice what you notice, ReFood, relax, spiritual direction, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, volunteering | 1 Comment

Carried

Posted on October 13, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

“Let me carry you,” I heard Jesus say during morning prayers part way through co-facilitating the Living from the Heart intensive. I liked the idea of being picked up and carried, but as I imagined Jesus cradling me in his arms, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged 1 Samuel 16:17, Autumn Leaves 2, Beth Carlson-Malena, Esther Hizsa, Living from the Heart, Mark Fox, Open Way Community Church, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Steve Imbach, Thomas Green | 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 Donna Geissler, Esther Hizsa, fear, God's love, Imago Dei Communities, immersed in God's love, leaky bucket, ocean of love, Psalm 139:18, Rob Des Cotes, Sandy Beach, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Wave Coast, weakness, Wonderlane | 6 Comments

Limited

Posted on September 22, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

“I’ll be darned if a 500-meter hike is going to beat me,” I said to Fred a few minutes before I crashed. There I am, flat on my back before the mountain. We began the Edith Cavell hike in Jasper … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Stories | Tagged contemplative awakening, contemplative awareness, Edith Cavell, Esther Hizsa, hike, humility, James Finley, Japer, John 14:20, John 15:5, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

Hidden Buckets

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

Imagine how refreshing the air would be in a community of open, caring honesty, without that hidden bucket of hurts fermenting under the kitchen sink. —Steve Garnaas-Holmes Recently I read these words and saw my hurt fermenting in a particular … Continue reading →