Category Archives: Stories

God in the Dark: Practice

Posted on August 28, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Here is the sequel to last week’s story, “God in the Dark: Theory,” which took place seven years ago while I was taking SoulStream’s Art of Spiritual Direction course. After my spiritual direction session in class, I felt light. That picture of … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour, Stories, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | Tagged Abbotsford, Dewolfs, Esther Hizsa, Flat, God in the Dark: Practice, Most friendly bus driver in Vancouver, Sanpani, SouStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 4 Comments

Being “That Woman”

Posted on August 14, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Am I afraid to be ordinary? It’s fun watching people who don’t know me come alive when I give a talk or facilitate a group. Before that moment, I blend into the crowd (in the photo above, I’m the short one in … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections | Tagged Brene Brown, Daring Greatly, Dustin Gaffke, Ecclesiasticus 14:2, Esther Hizsa, fear of being ordinary, man fully alive, Martin Hricko, narcissism, Philippians 4:19, Psalm 139:13-14, Pure Joy, Rumi, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, the golden dream, The Guest House | 5 Comments

Surfin’ USA

Posted on August 7, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Here’s a story I wrote a few years ago that was published in the MB Herald. It’s also in my book, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim, which will be available this fall. Fred and I sat contented on the beach and listened to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Humour, Stories, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | Tagged Dustin Gaffke, Esther Hizsa, Fred Hizsa, Harry Frehner, Manzanita, Oswald West State Park, Paul Hamilton, Ron Frehner, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, surfing | 3 Comments

God Is So Beautiful

Posted on July 3, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

“Ever since I was twelve years old, I have been deeply moved by beauty,” a friend wrote in response to a recent post. “When I take my morning coffee out onto the back deck, I am surrounded by so many shades of … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Reflections | Tagged Beauty, Beauty: The Invisible Embrace, Craig Allen, Esther Hizsa, Isaiah 6:3, John O'Donohue, Peace in a leaf, Psalm 27:4, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Strawberry #2, Tenacity8fear | 1 Comment

Hidden Beauty

Posted on June 26, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

“You have a beautiful smile,” someone said. “I love your laugh,” I heard another say a few days later. “You exude beauty!” a friend told me, looking right into my eyes. I could hardly take it in. They were talking about me … Continue reading →

Posted in Reflections | Tagged Anne Yungwirth, Beauty, Bernhard Riemann, discovering beauty, Ed Dahl, Esther Hizsa, Fawn in the Trees, hermit crab, inner beauty, Isaiah 48:6, Kathleen Norris, Matthew 13:44, Megan Yungwirth, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Who Am I? | 3 Comments

Beauty Stares Me in the Face

Posted on June 19, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Every time I look in the mirror, I’m reminded that I don’t look very beautiful. Ouch. Did I say that out loud? Beauty is a sore subject with me, yet over the past few years, God has awakened me to its glory. … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Popular Posts, Stories | Tagged 1 Samuel 16, Be Beautiful, Beauty, Beauty: The Invisible Embrace, Ben Grey, brokenness, contemplative response, daisies, Doug Schroeder, Esther Hizsa, John O'Donohue, Peter Miller, self-image, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, world | 11 Comments

Questioned by a Strawflower

Posted on June 12, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

Five tight buds, glossy purple lollipops, greeted me as I passed them on my way to morning prayers. Many flowers that I recognized were blooming at Twin Creeks Lodge–iris, geraniums, petunias, pansies, and daisies–but I had never seen buds like these before. … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Stories | Tagged 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 | 4 Comments

The Other Voice in My Head

Posted on June 5, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

I’m doing it wrong. The voice in my head didn’t mince words. What “it” referred to wasn’t something innocuous like following a recipe; it was my whole spiritual life. Sometimes I’m so confident. I write confidently; I live confidently. Other times … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry, Popular Posts, Poverty of Spirit, Stories | Tagged confidence, Crystal, Esther Hizsa, Hafiz, Isaiah 55:8, negative self-talk, Seed Cracked Open, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Wrong Way | 239 Comments

Life in the Slow Lane

Posted on May 29, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

After eight slow days on the “mountain” with God, I wanted to maintain a more leisurely pace back in the valley of the shadow of life. I took a hard look at my calendar and wondered how I was going to do everything without rushing. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Poverty of Spirit, Stories, Wednesday Lunch Club | Tagged Ephesians 3:14-21, Esther Hizsa, J. Philip Newell, Ken Slade, prayer retreat, Snail's Pace, Sounds of the Eternal, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 3 Comments

Measuring Up

Posted on April 17, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

This boy reminds me of our grandson. In the fall, we took our grandchildren to an indoor pool with two water slides. Fred accompanied the seven-year-old cousins up, up, up the stairs to the top of the slides, only to find out … Continue reading →