Category Archives: Stories

One Uncomfortable Adventure

Posted on August 8, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

So, I’m on an adventure into the deeper, bluer freedom of being myself. Yeah. Right. Remember what Gandalf said to Bilbo. “I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it’s very difficult to find anyone.” Bilbo … Continue reading →

Posted in Stories | Tagged 1 Corinthians 12, being yourself, Bilbo, dragon, evlovana, fear of rejection, Gandalf, rejection, Romans 8:31, Smaug, The Hobbit, Tolkien, uncomfortable adventure | Leave a comment

The Real Story Begins

Posted on August 1, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

I was as restless as a cat. I’d pack a few things then check my emails. I looked over the list of items to bring to the SoulStream Partners’ Annual Retreat. Check. Check. What? A photograph of myself? Why hadn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Childhood, Popular Posts, Stories | Tagged Acts 12, belonging, community, freedom, letting the shy soul speak, listening to our fears, listening to our lives, SoulStream, SoulStream noon prayer | 8 Comments

Wasting Money

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

Every time I turned around, something was costing more money: a haircut, local produce, a restaurant meal. Then the theatre company called to say that the matinée performance we booked in our subscription was sold out. Should Fred and I change shows or … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Praying with the Imagination, Stories | Tagged alabaster jar, anointing of Jesus, Fr. Lawrence Lew, Ignatian prayer, Mary Magdalene, Matthew 26:6-14, self-centredness, suscipe, Take and Recieve, wasting money, wasting time | Leave a comment

Me and My Shadow

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

I am hesitant to confess this to you, because when I do, you will find evidence that it’s true. And where that leads, well, that makes me both nervous and hopeful. So here it is: I am pretty self-centred. I often put myself … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Mystical, Prayer, Stories | Tagged Daniel Bonnell, David Benner, Glimpse of and Angel, Lolowaro974, Me and My Shadow, Noon Prayer, self-centred, self-centredness, Shadows, snuggling up to God, SoulStream, Surrender to Love | 2 Comments

Something Exciting Is Happening on Your Block

Posted on July 4, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

Meet Chester Filbert. He lives at 5264 One Hundred and Seventy-Seventh Street. He is frowning because, as the title of the book explains, nothing ever happens on his block. The reader soon discovers, however, that the joke is on him, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Stories | Tagged Consciousness Examen, Ellen Raskin, Ignatius of Loyola, John 1:14, Luke 2:19, Nothing Ever Happens on My Block, Prayer of Examen | 3 Comments

And How Will You Wear That?

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

It isn’t just fear, shame and judgment that are placed on me. I receive compliments too. People often thank me for something I’ve done or tell me how a certain blog post has impacted their lives. But it’s hard for me to take it in … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular Posts, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Chocolate Ganache Tartlet, Chotda, Guiss95, Jeff Imbach, Living from the Heart, Luke 12:27, Margueritte, Regent College, spiritual direction, The River Within | 2 Comments

Are You Going to Wear It?

Posted on June 20, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

It wasn’t my outfit that offended; it was my belief. After the disgruntled person walked away, a friend remained and asked me if I was okay. Neither of us had more than a few minutes to talk. I blurted out, “I think … Continue reading →

Posted in Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged expectations, fear, freedom, Galatians 5:1, judgment, Just Ard, Just Passing, Martin Hricko, Pure Joy, Weighed down | Leave a comment

Sweet Freedom

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

I preached after a particularly full week and three restless nights. I was tired but felt confident. I had practised my sermon out loud without relying much on my notes and looked forward to doing it like that on Sunday. However, when … Continue reading →

Posted in Stories | Tagged Anne Yungwirth, Ball and Chain, freedom, Noon Prayer, SoulStream, Splash | 2 Comments

Reborn

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

I have been born again and again and again. With each new spiritual birth, I emerge from darkness into light as helpless as a babe. How does this new life in Christ work? In the past month, I have been … Continue reading →

Posted in Stories | Tagged born again, God's delight in us, Joshua Rappeneker, joy, newborn, Psalm 16:11, rebirth, spiritual birth | 3 Comments

Resurrection Cleaners

Posted on May 23, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

. . . you implore me to so fall in Love, and fall anew in ever-new depths of skywashed Love till every capillary of your universe throbs with rivering fire . . . – from “The Word” by Margaret Avison … Continue reading →