Category Archives: Reflections

Naked and Unashamed

Posted on June 3, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

God’s been listening to my thoughts again–not just the chatter in my head but the deep sighs of my heart. You know those dreams where you’re scrambling to make something happen, it’s not coming together, and time’s running out? I’ve experienced that now … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, Overeating, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Songs, Stories | Tagged Abreha and Atsbeha Church, Adam and Eve, All Life, ashamed, Esther Hizsa, Garden of Eden, John Bell, naked, Road Fun, Ron Guest, SoulStream, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Take Me as I Am | 3 Comments

Longing for More Life

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

If you’ve read my posts lately, you may have noticed that God has been gently widening my view and inviting me “to see all people as my kin, all living beings as my flesh.”* As I do this, I’ve been challenged to turn from self-interest … Continue reading →

Posted in Creation, False Self, Poverty of Spirit, Reflections | Tagged Clowns and Characters, Corinthians 3:17-18, Esther Hizsa, Eyes of My Heart, Gail Purdy, glory, leg hold traps, Mother Goose, Nancy Bailey, SoulStream, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Coquitlam, Steve Garnaas-Holmes, Unfolding LIght | Leave a comment

Shimmering Delight

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

In March I was able to get away to Bowen Island for a few days of solitude. Often when I retreat there, I sit in the cottage watching the rain come and go. But this time it was sunny and … Continue reading →

Posted in Mystical, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Baptism of Christ, boxer bob, Dustin Gaffke, Esther Hizsa, Fr Lawrence Lew O.P., luke 3: 21 22, PT Money, Sparkling Water, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 2 Comments

The “Other” Who Saves Us

Posted on May 6, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

I was talking with a friend about how we need to radically welcome the “other”–those who are different and make us feel uncomfortable. Rev.Stephanie Spellers says, “We need them in our lives and communities for our salvation.” “How do they save us?” … Continue reading →

Posted in Poverty of Spirit, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Acts 3:6, Art College Doormats, Esther Hizsa, Friday Requirement, good people, Marja Bergen, Martin Cathrae, Nicolas Poussin, Radical Welcome, rejection, Saints Peter and John Healing the Lame Man, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stephanie Spellers | Leave a comment

Turned

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Esther Hizsa

Something significant has happened to me a few times now. After a full day, unprocessed feelings can hang over me like a grey cloud. The theme of the conversation in my head often includes some disappointment in myself. I know these negative thoughts dissipate … Continue reading →

Posted in Ignatian Spirituality, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Blue Skies of Scottsdale, Brooding Sky, consolation, desolation, Dru Bloomfield, Esther Hizsa, Ignatian Spirituality, Ignatius of Loyola, Jesus and Mary, John 20:16, Resurrection Day, Ridolfo Ghirlandaio, scyrene, spiritual deception, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Stephen Rossetti, The Procession to Calvary, When the Lion Roars | 6 Comments

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 A Rocha, care for creation, Earth Day, Ecological Examen, Esther Hizsa, Evgeni Zotov, FarbenfroheWunderwelt, Jason Major, Joseph Carver, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Thich Naht Hanh | Leave a 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 →

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 Esther Hizsa, humility, Imercer, Isaiah 43: 16, Isaiah 43: 19, Jason R. Goode, Numb, Olivier Noirhomme, snowy chain, spiritual director, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. Francis, St. Thérèse of Lisieux | 3 Comments

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 Anatomy of Trust, Brene Brown, Esther Hizsa, Feather, Fred Randall pool, Jim Champion, Paula D'Arcy, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | 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 →