Category Archives: Stories

Wide and Deep

Posted on January 20, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

I finally received my first royalty cheque from Amazon over a year after I published Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim. The amount? One hundred dollars and seventy-five cents. Humbling. I always wanted to write a book. Praying the Ignatian Exercises as … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Reflections, Stories, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | Tagged America magazine, Andrew Garfield, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Sprititual Exercises, Love and Living, Martin Scorsese, Maxine Hancock, Silence, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim, Thomas Merton | 2 Comments

In the Flow

Posted on January 13, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

“Have you found a job yet?” I asked “Kyle” (not his real name) who has been sober for three months now. Kyle’s been through treatment and recovery a few times in the past seventeen years and never lasted more than six … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories | Tagged addiction, at dead man's chest, Esther Hizsa, Everything Belongs, Ken Ryan, King of Kensington, Nadya Peek, Peter Castleton, push the river, Richard Rohr, river neath waterfall, Shirley Hatch, sobriety, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

Choosing Life

Posted on January 6, 2017 by Esther Hizsa

In the past month, I’ve had conversations with a number of people addicted to alcohol and drugs who are now sober. One day at a time, they are rebuilding their bodies, their lives and their relationships. Each one–whether they’ve been sober for weeks or … Continue reading →

Posted in Overeating, Reflections, Stories, Wednesday Lunch Club | Tagged Carlo Scherer, drops, Esther Hizsa, Joshua 24:15, Last Day, Rachel Titiriga, Richard Rohr, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Divine Dance, The Shack, Tylerwardis, William Paul Young | 2 Comments

Christmas Spent

Posted on December 30, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

I didn’t intend to have an unsentimental Christmas. It just turned out that way. I enjoyed gatherings with friends and family, giving gifts of homemade granola, and watching A Charlie Brown Christmas again. But the tinsel and romance of the season left me … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Homelessness, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Esther Hizsa, presents under the tree, Richard Rohr, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, vulnerability of God, Wednesday Lunch Club | 2 Comments

From Weakness to Weakness

Posted on December 23, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

There is a dog in Loyola House that soothes the aching soul. Perhaps you’ve heard of the “balm in Gilead that makes the wounded whole”? Apparently someone at Loyola House in Guelph, Ontario has a dog who does the same thing. People who go there for … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories | Tagged David Locke, dog in a manger, Esther Hizsa, Jackie Bouchard, needy, Pooch Smooches, Psalm 84, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, weakness of God | 2 Comments

Weakness: The Heart of Belonging

Posted on December 16, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

My old friend, Insecurity, showed up again when I attended a two-day SoulStream board meeting. Even though I was among people who are open, accepting, and kind, I felt uneasy. Someone mentioned a book I hadn’t read or music I hadn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories | Tagged 2 Corinthians 12:9, Aimee Ray, belonging, Dolly Rainbow, Doug Schroeder, Esther Hizsa, God was weak, Hugo van der Goes, needy, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Adoration of the Shepherds, weakness of God | Leave a comment

The God We Got

Posted on December 9, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

God could have come with battle lines drawn, an army of trumpeting archangels, and a legion of patriarchs. But God came in vulnerability, a baby without a home . . . –from “The Arrival” by Ann Siddall Why did God … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Ann Siddall, Dave & Lorelle, Doug Schroeder, Esther Hizsa, Franz Mayer & Co, God wants to be held, Holding Hands, Luke 11:27-28, Plum leaves, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Arrival, The Nativity, weakness of God | 2 Comments

God Became Weak

Posted on December 2, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

“O come, o come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel,” we sing. We too “mourn in lowly exile here” until the Son of God appears. We long for God to come in power and right our injustice, heal our ills, dispel our confusion, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Cry of Life, Esther Hizsa, God was weak, Madonna Mary and Baby Jesus, needy, Sander van der Wel, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Waiting for the Word, weakness of God, What Child Is This? | 3 Comments

A Patch of Fog

Posted on November 25, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

“Turn on your lights and slow down,” Fred said. The fog on the road was so thick, we couldn’t see more that a few metres in front of us. I drove slowly, silently, looking for red tail lights and road signs … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Anne Yungwirth, being present, bravelittlebird, David Wagoner, Esther Hizsa, Heavy Fog, Houston Marsh, John Knox Christian School, Lost, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stand still, Super Thick Fog leaving Montalvo | 2 Comments

A Sense of God’s Presence

Posted on November 18, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

This month I returned to Bowen Island to spend a few days alone with God. I hoped it would help me get through the dark months ahead. I didn’t have much of a sense of God’s presence until I passed by a church and … Continue reading →