Tag Archives: Advent

What Are You Waiting For?

Posted on December 17, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

I see in your soulwhat’s mirrored in mine.You’re waiting too for the pandemic to endto see everyone’s facesno proof required for the pain to stopthe days to get longerthe path to be clear for stuff to stop shaking up our … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Advent, dog in a manger, Dogs in waiting, Esther Hizsa, How the Light Comes, Jackie Bouchard, Jan L. Richardson, Jürgen Mangelsdorf, manger, Raj Deut, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, waiting | Leave a comment

Someone You Know but Never Met

Posted on December 10, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

The Canadian province of British Columbia on the Pacific coast declared a state of emergency on November 17 following massive floods and landslides caused by record-breaking rainfall in the previous several days. Four people have died as well as over … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged Advent, death toll animals, Drew Brayshaw, Esther Hizsa, flood in Abbotsford, Jürgen Mangelsdorf, Mary Wolfe, Singing Shall Be My LIght, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Third Sunday in Advent | 1 Comment

A Quarter Turn

Posted on December 3, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

I suddenly knew I was looking at it from the wrong angle, and I gave the cloth in my hand a quarter turn. Immediately I saw a beautiful and coherent golden pattern…. In wonder, the pattern had emerged, to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Mindfulness, Reflections, Spiritual Direction, Stories | Tagged Advent, Esther Hizsa, Helen Luke, James Finley, Jürgen Mangelsdorf, Luke 1:39-45, Luke 1:46-49, Matthew 1:18-25, Quarter Turn, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. John of the Cross, Such Stuff as Dreams Are Made On, The Dark Night of the Soul, Tristan Unrau, Weaving | Leave a comment

Being the Odd One Out

Posted on November 26, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

Finally, I thought as I placed a mat in front of our door. Now our doorway matched the other three that open onto the breezeway. We are no longer the odd one out. On a Zoom call that week, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Advent, Airwolfhound, Annunciation, Brené Brown, Esther Hizsa, Henri Nouwen, Jürgen Mangelsdorf, John 15:9, Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:28, Luke 3:22, Odd One Out, Puffin Island, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Gifts of Imperfection | 1 Comment

You Are Worthy to Leave This Sadness

Posted on November 12, 2021 by Esther Hizsa

He Desired Me So I Came Close No one can near God unless He has prepared a bed for you. A thousand souls hear His call every second, but most every one then looks into their life’s mirror and says, … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Mystical, Poetry, Prayer, Stories | Tagged Advent, Advent Morning Retreat, Annunciation, Audrey Hoehn, Birds on a Wire, Brent Unrau, Daniel Ladinsky, Esther Hizsa, He Desired Me Sio I Came Close, Julie Falk, Love Poems from God, Open Gate, SoulStream, spiritual direction, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Teresa of Avila, Tym | 1 Comment

Preparing the Way Home

Posted on December 18, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

From the moment I stepped into this chapel, it felt like home. Wood, stone, glass, and flame together breathed a silent welcome. . . . Advent invites us to prepare the way for the Holy One who comes to meet … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, community, compassion, Creation, Mindfulness, Mystical, Poetry, Reflections | Tagged 3ter Advent, 4 Advent, Advent, Anton Raphael Mengs, Esther Hizsa, grosskopf_photography, Illuminated Advent Retreat, Jan L. Richardson, John 14:20, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, St. John the Baptist | 2 Comments

Peacemaking

Posted on December 4, 2020 by Esther Hizsa

“Sensing your feet on the floor. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing,” Maureen said. It was her turn to accompany me in a focusing session. “Bringing your inhale inward through your head, use your inhale to make deep … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Overeating, Reflections, Stories | Tagged Advent, calm, Donna Varnau, embodied presence, Esther Hizsa, Felipe Bastos, focusing, grosskopf_photography, John 14:27, Mike Green, Overeating, Psalm 133:1, Rumi, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, The Guest House | 1 Comment

Advent IV: Say Yes

Posted on December 20, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Christmas, community, Poetry, Reflections, Songs | Tagged 1 Kings 19:11-13, Advent, Christopher Bulle, Esther Hizsa, Lois Shuford, Ready My Heart, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver, Steve Bell | 2 Comments

Advent III: Retreat

Posted on December 13, 2019 by Esther Hizsa

Three cancelled appointments and a no show at Bible study gave me the breathing room I needed. I know that was You looking after me. Sometimes You’re about as quiet as a three-year-old trying to sneak up on mommy. Then … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Poetry, Prayer, Reflections | Tagged Advent, Bark Cabin Natural Area, Bowen Island, Esther Hizsa, John Pavlovitz, Josh Kelahan, Low: An Honest Advent Devotional, Nicholas A Tonelli, prayer retreat, spiritual director Burnaby, spiritual director Vancouver | Leave a comment

Advent 1: Interruption and Disappointment

Posted on November 30, 2018 by Esther Hizsa

What if we found new words for our Advent candle-lighting wreaths this year? Instead of the traditional Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love, what words would you choose to mark each week in this season of waiting? Two words jump out at … Continue reading →