Category Archives: Stories

She Who Hesitates

Posted on February 20, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

I was ten kilometres into my ride on a sunny January day, when I got a flat tire. I searched my bike’s panniers, but the levers weren’t there. Without them, it would be impossible to fix the flat. I hate … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Stories | Tagged Burnaby, epiphany, Esther Hizsa, Fred Hizsa, Gracie, Grinnin' on Gracie, He who hesitates is lost, hesitate, Isaiah 40; Isaiah 40:31, Kevin Bond, Malachi 3, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Vancouver, waiting, waiting on God | 1 Comment

In the Shelter of God’s Wings

Posted on January 16, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

I imagine myself in the shelter of God’s wings, safe and warm. Angels relieve me of my duties. I can hang up the worries of my day, click off my brain, and rest. Be still, I tell myself, close your … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular Posts, Prayer, Stories, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | Tagged Burnaby, centering prayer, feather 1, Jim Champion, Mennonite Herald, Psalm 91:1, Psalm 91:4, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, Stories of an Everyday Pilgrim | 1 Comment

Gifts

Posted on January 9, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

On December 23, I was in Value Village when I remembered I needed to buy one last Christmas gift. I perused the books in the Religion and Spirituality section and came across two pristine copies of Ann Voskamp’s devotional, One Thousand … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Stories | Tagged A Daisy Day in May, Ann Voskamp, Brent M., Burnaby, Dayspring, Floral Themed Gift Wrap, gratitude, Josh, let go and let God, Matthew 6:30-33, One Thousand Gifts, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby | 1 Comment

Fire!

Posted on January 2, 2015 by Esther Hizsa

“There’s a fire. A woman’s screaming for help,” my husband said and ran out the door. I followed Fred across the lawn to the townhouse building next to ours. Smoke billowed out the front door of an upstairs unit. Someone was calling … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular Posts, Stories | Tagged bcfiretrucks, Burnaby, carving of Jesus, Child Rescued from Townhouse Fire in Burnaby, Ephesians 2:10, fire, Fred Hizsa, hero, Joe Crawford, spiritual director, Steve Imbach, Thomas Green, Vancouver | 11 Comments

On This Mountain

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

Last week I talked about deadlines closing in on me. One of them was SoulStream’s Living from the Heart course. It would be my first time co-facilitating a six-day intensive in spiritual formation, and I wanted to prepare well for it. Shortly before I … Continue reading →

Posted in Mystical, Prayer, Stories | Tagged 2 Corinthians 3;18, An Open Gate, bruised reed, Isaiah 25:6-9, Isaiah 42:3, Living from the Heart, Lodge at Twin Creeks, Nan C. Merrill, Psalm 122:1 & 2, Psalms for Praying, Rachel Hartland, smouldering wick, SoulStream, Transformation, unveiled faces | Leave a comment

Night Crossing

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

Imagine you are in your favourite place, the instructions for the prayer read. Perhaps it is on a beach or in a cosy cabin. What do you see, hear, feel, taste, smell? Are you alone or with others? After you have relaxed … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Mystical, Praying with the Imagination, Stories | Tagged Contemplation of Place, Ian hoar, Jessica Gardner, John 1:1-3, Kimmeridge, Nan C. Merrill, Night Sailing, Night Sky, praying with the imagination, Psalm 18:10, Psalms for Praying, Starry Night, Vincent van Gogh | 1 Comment

That Which Is Lost Within Me

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

On October 5, an announcement was made to the congregation that my employment at New Life Community Church would end on December 31. A few days before, I was writing last week’s post. Nervous about the coming change, I reached for … Continue reading →

Posted in Popular Posts, Stories | Tagged Benedictine Sisters of Turvey Abbey, Eric Liddell, Flora Slosson Wuellner, freedom, McCrimmon Pulblishing, New Life Community Church, over work, seeks for that which is lost within me, SoulStream, The Risen Living Christ, Thomas Hawke, William-Adolphe Bouguereau | 6 Comments

The Hand that Stilled the Storm

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

Lately Jesus has been inviting me to hold his hand as we walk through life together. That reminds me of something that happened when Heidi was born. She was delivered as planned by caesarean section a week before the due date. Since I … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Mindfulness, Stories | Tagged Christ Calms the Storm, Christian Asuh, David L. Fleming SJ, Fr. Lawrence Lew, Hold On, Luc De Leeuw, Mark 4:39, Pray as you go, Soul of Christ, SoulStream | 4 Comments

Walking with Jesus

Posted on October 3, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

Lately I have been beginning my day with Pray as you go In these short on-line reflections, I am often asked to imagine myself with Jesus and interact with him. One morning I was one of the women who followed Jesus. When … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Praying with the Imagination, Stories | Tagged Christian Asuh, Cirque Peak, David L. Fleming SJ, enough has been given, Fred Hizsa, Pray as you go, Soul of Christ, SoulStream, Strolling with My Honey. | Leave a comment

Scarlet Fever

Posted on September 19, 2014 by Esther Hizsa

Do you have a memory that you treasure? I’ll tell you one of my favourites. Recognize the handsome fellow dressed in red serge? That’s my husband, Fred. We met thirty-five years ago in the indigenous community of Bella Bella. Back then this tiny village, … Continue reading →