Category Archives: Stories

Changes

Posted on June 30, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

I smell freshly mown grass and my chest expands. A sense of freedom, gratitude, wonder and delight emerges. I follow my senses to my childhood, lying on the lawn looking up at the clouds in a blue, blue sky. No … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Songs | Tagged Aboriginal Peoples, Anglican Church of Canada, Canada Day, Changes, Esther Hizsa, Gordon Lightfoot, green grass, Indigenous Ministries, J Dumont, Phil Ochs, Psalm 104:19, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

God Inclined His Ear to Me

Posted on June 16, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. –Psalm 116:1,2 I imagine God inclining his/her ear to … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Helpful Images, Reflections, Spiritual Direction | Tagged Burning Bush, Douglas Steere, Esther Hizsa, Father Elton Fernandes, Helichrysum: Memory of the Sun, Henri Nouwen, Michael Cook, Night Prayer, On Listening to One Another, Pentecost, Psalm 116:1-2, SoulStream, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 2 Comments

Stones, Slivers and Silence

Posted on June 9, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

I love being with people and look forward to social gatherings, but I often come home with a stone in my shoe. When I shake it out and it falls to the floor, I recognize that moment when something went … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections | Tagged Anne Duifhuis, community, Dale Wagner, Done in a Day, Esther Hizsa, insecurity, Kamaljith K V, Mental Health, Mouth of friend and stranger, Mustard Seed, Patty Wagner, Ride Don't Hide, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. Patrick's Breastplate, Wendy Linnington | 3 Comments

The Gift I Received

Posted on May 26, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

During teaching sessions of Living from the Heart, the participants and facilitators sat in a circle. In the centre was a low table adorned with a cross and a candle, and around it were a number of icons, two pictured here. … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Stories | Tagged Andrei Rublev, Esther Hizsa, Finnish schools, Greg Boyle S.J., Icon of the Holy Trinity, Living from the Heart, Michael Moore, Our Lady of Vladimir, SoulStream, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Tattoos on the Heart, Where to Invade Next | Leave a comment

Questioned by a Strawflower

Posted on May 19, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

This week I’ve been away at Living From the Heart. Here is a post I wrote two years ago when I was co-facilitating this course for the first time. Five tight buds, glossy purple lollipops, greeted me as I passed them on my … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Stories | Tagged Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Bracteantha Magenta, Deb Arndt, Esther Hizsa, Fleming's Nurseries, Jeff Imbach, Living from the Heart, Lodge at Twin Creeks, Matthew 11:29-30, Opening to God, rhythms of grace, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, spiritual formation, straw flower | Leave a comment

Here Be Tigers

Posted on May 12, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

People in authority can make me nervous. I’m always afraid they’ll turn into a tiger, pin me in a corner, and pounce on me for doing something wrong. It doesn’t make a lot of sense. For the most part, the leaders I … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Reflections, Songs, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Angelo Antonelli, Esther Hizsa, I Can Dance with the Tiger, Mathias Appel, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, trauma, Wednesday Lunch Club | 2 Comments

Aching for More

Posted on May 5, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

It’s Tuesday and I haven’t written Friday’s blog post yet. I’ve finished praying and have nothing scheduled for the rest of the morning; it’s an ideal setting to write. Often the story has already come together, and I just need a chunk … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer, Reflections, Writing | Tagged Acts 17:28, Blank page new day, cistercaminante, Esther Hizsa, James Finley, Psalm 5:3, Rick Stilwell, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stories of Thomas Merton | Leave a comment

Christ Behind Me and Before Me

Posted on April 28, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

Recently I received a new awareness that was liberating. Like a pilgrim summiting a mountain pass, I beheld a fresh landscape. Rolling green hills with clusters of trees and fields of wildflowers sprawled out before me. I savoured this new way of being for ten … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Stories | Tagged Citizen Advocacy Ottawa, Esther Hizsa, Green Valley, Invisible Disabilities Symposium, Isaiah 48:6-7, Joel 2:25, Kim Barthel, Luke 24:13-35, new awareness, Pisut Konepun, Praying the Psalms, Psalm 23, regret, Reza, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. Patrick's Breastplate, Tanya Eichler, Vulcan Stream | Leave a comment

Connected

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

I tried to lie back and relax in the underground saltwater pool but whenever I did, I began to drift toward people I didn’t know. I was afraid I’d bump against them and disturb their solace. The Nordik spa in Gatineau, … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer, Reflections, Stories | Tagged breath prayer, Esther Hizsa, John 15:4, Nordik Spa, salt water pool, SETShots, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, tonglin prayer, Two Hands | Leave a comment

The Cost of Being Known

Posted on April 7, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

“What was the most memorable meal you ever had?” a friend asked everyone at the dinner table. One by one each person described an experience of eating extravagantly prepared food in an exquisite setting. But it was hard for me to listen. … Continue reading →