Category Archives: Stories

God So Loves the Earth

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

This earth, this world that God loves so much, is beautiful and broken. I have been asking God to show me ways I can participate in healing our planet. As I read and listen for God’s direction, I begin to see small steps I … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Ignatian Spirituality, Mindfulness, Reflections, Spiritual Direction | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Goodbye, Rob

Posted on April 15, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

On April 6 friend and mentor Rob Des Cotes passed into glory. Rob was a pastor, spiritual director and retreat leader as well as a husband, father, and grandfather, musician, writer and artist. Hearing God’s call to go deeper in contemplative … Continue reading →

Posted in Helpful Images, Mystical, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Praying with the Imagination, Rob Des Cotes, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Other Side of the Line

Posted on April 8, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

After I got over the shock of discovering I’m one of “those people,” I began to wonder about the distinctions I make. What constitutes being “those people” anyway? We easily divide people into two kinds: life-giving people and life-draining people cup half-full people and cup … Continue reading →

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A Pleasant Place of Shelter

Posted on April 1, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

The woman interrupted me mid-sentence. “You need to know that something you said two years ago really hurt me.” I stood there stunned by the pain on her face and the anger in her voice. She told me what I’d said … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

God with Us to the End

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

I look at the naked, bloodied body next to me. “What’s he doing here?” A sinless man is being crucified beside us: me on his left, the other criminal on his right. The crucified always die in disgrace, our lives held up as negative examples. Yet, he is good. People call him rabbi, … Continue reading →

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Gethsemane

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

See how tenderly the angels comfort Jesus in his anguish. He longed for such compassion from his friends, but they couldn’t do it. They disappeared into a panacea of sleep. We rely on Jesus to be with us in everything, but will we be with … Continue reading →

Posted in Easter, Holy Week, Ignatian Spirituality, Lent, Praying with the Imagination, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

There You Are

Posted on March 18, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

Okay. Okay. I’m being still. I’m trying to pause between activities and regain my balance. But, I’ll be honest with you, God. It doesn’t feel like a lot’s happening here. I haven’t stopped overeating and Lent is nearly over. My heart … Continue reading →

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Get Real Still

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

It was easy to pick out our grandson in the line-up of swimmers. The eight-year-old wore a life jacket and was a foot or two shorter than the others. Like those ahead of him, he waited for his turn to try the obstacle course that stretched … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Mindfulness, Reflections, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Between My Selves

Posted on March 4, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

I gather up my courage and for the second time talk with my spiritual director about being overweight. “I’m so confused,” I lament. “De Mello says ‘Don’t change.’ Richard Rohr points out that two of the four gospels begin with the call to … Continue reading →

Posted in False Self, Lent, Overeating, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Love Is a Risky Business

Posted on February 26, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

In the post Undoing My Life, I talked about a time when I kept expecting to be rejected but encountered love and acceptance instead. That experience was wonderful and scary. As the Rejected One, I protected my heart from the inevitable pain of being discovered … Continue reading →

Posted in Lent, Popular Posts, Reflections | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments