Category Archives: Stories

The King of Kensington

Posted on November 11, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

“I have some sad news for you,” the minister said and paused. “Ken Ryan asked me to give you a call. He’s got lung cancer. Stage 4. He’d like to see you.” If you’ve read my book, you may recall Ken, … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Stories | Tagged Burnaby Now, death, Esther Hizsa, fear of death, John 14:1-3, Ken Ryan, King of Kensington, Lou Ryan, Luke 20:27-38, Richard Walker, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stairway to Heaven?, Tereza Verenca | 4 Comments

God Isn’t Always Trying to Teach Us Stuff

Posted on November 4, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

Sorry folks. No new piece of writing came together for me this week. I hope you enjoy this post, originally published in 2013. God knows my thoughts even before I do.* And having heard all my thoughts, God must have a … Continue reading →

When We Find No Rest

Posted on October 28, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

“How was your weekend?” I asked “Bonnie” when I visited her again. With a pained expression, she confessed that it hadn’t been easy. Her fears were having a heyday with her, and she felt defenceless against them. Once again she was on the cross … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Ameripride Canadian LInens, Burnaby Task Force on Homelessness, Christian.Rudman, comfort kits, Day of Service, End Homelessness in Burnaby, Esther Hizsa, Frederick Buechner, Martha Carlough, Psalm 22:1-2, Psalm 23, Salzburg Cross, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, stillness, The Sacred Journey, Wanda Mulholland | Leave a comment

God’s Salvific Love

Posted on October 21, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

“This helplessness, what’s it like?” asked my spiritual director. It took me a few minutes to let the feeling return to my body. It’s how I felt the night I was driving to a friend’s house in the rain. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpful Images, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Brennan Manning, Christ in Gethsemane, David L. Fleming SJ, Esther Hizsa, helplessness, Hold On, Luc De Leeuw, Michael D. O'Brien, Ragamuffin Gospel, salvific, Soul of Christ, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 2 Comments

Keeping Vigil

Posted on October 14, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

I’m awake in the middle of the night again. A sadness dogs me until I get up and listen to it. In the silence I hear a regret that I was not present. That evening I had a meal with friends. I conversed … Continue reading →

Posted in Mystical, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories | Tagged being present, Efrain Almeida, Esther Hizsa, God's presence, helplessness, Judy van derVelden, Our Lady of Vladimir, Psalm 139:12, Rain on my window, Rodrigo Soldon, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 4 Comments

The Dance of a Loving Community

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

“We find it difficult to admit our faults and failings,” Doug Schroeder, SoulStream‘s director, said in a reflection entitled “The Gift of My Imperfect Self.” I read that while I was away co-facilitating a Living from the Heart intensive. During that week, I also noticed that I … Continue reading →

Posted in False Self, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Bakeys Foods, community, crack in everything, Doug Schroeder, edible utensils, Esther Hizsa, Hans Thoma, John 13:34, Kinderreigen, Leonard Cohen, Living from the Heart, Narayana Peesapaty, rejection, SoulStream, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

Here? Again?!

Posted on September 30, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

While I was co-facilitating a week-long intensive on spiritual formation, I noticed a familiar feeling: the desire to protect myself. It caused me to subtly close myself from God and others. Once I recognized what I was doing, I took a deep … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Deb Arndt, Esther Hizsa, Jeff Imbach, Joel Olives, Living from the Heart, Martha Carlough, Rivendell Retreat Centre, Salzburg Cross, SoulStream, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stand Again | 5 Comments

Insight and Encounter

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

When my friend’s granddaughter “Amy” was diagnosed with high functioning autism, she and her family felt like they’d cracked a code. They finally understood why Amy interacts with the world the way she does. With these insights, she could make … Continue reading →

Posted in autism, Ignatian Spirituality, Overeating, Reflections | Tagged Arlen Redekop, encounter, Esther Hizsa, False Creek Sole Food farm, Father Richard Soo, insight, Kelly Dycavinu, Knit Together, Michael Ableman, presence, Randy Shore, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Street Farm: Growing Food Jobs and Hope on the Urban Frontier. | 3 Comments

I Wonder What’s Under

Posted on September 16, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

As I listen to directees share their struggles and listen to my own, I notice that there’s a strata to our feelings and desires. Like an archaeological dig, the top layer–the first one we experience–gets our attention. It’s the hurt right under … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Prayer, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Esther Hizsa, Luke 13:18-19, Mustard Seed, praying with our emotions, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Wendy Linnington | 3 Comments

This Hero’s Journey

Posted on September 9, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

I love being the hero. I want to be the one that fixes the problem or has the answer. If someone is in great need, I find myself ruminating about how that need can be met. Meanwhile, if someone else meets that need, … Continue reading →