Living from the Heart: Remaining Open to God

Here’s a reflection that Esther Hizsa wrote in May 2017 when she co-facilitated the Living from the Heart course for the first time. She reflects on spiritual growth using the strawflower as a metaphor for opening one’s heart to God, despite challenges, and embracing the ongoing journey of faith.

As I walked to morning prayers, five tight buds—shiny purple lollipops—caught my eye. Familiar flowers like irises, geraniums, petunias, pansies, and daisies were blooming around Twin Creeks Lodge, but these buds were new to me. By mid-morning, one of them had opened to the sun. “It’s a strawflower,” someone explained.

The next morning, the five buds were back. Was I mistaken? Where had the flower gone? Later that day, the blossom reappeared, revealing a fascinating cycle: it closed at night and opened in the day.

Each time I passed the strawflowers during Living from the Heart, I noticed their rhythm and felt them asking, “Are you open or closed?”

During the week-long intensive I co-facilitated with Deb Arndt and Jeff Imbach, we introduced ancient prayer practices and explored contemplative living. We had the honor of witnessing participants open to God and each other. Our role was to help them recognize the Real Teacher in their lives.

This task was not always easy for me. At times, I felt as tight as a bud, anxious that I might hinder God’s work. The strawflower reminded me to relax and open to the light. Morning and evening prayers, silent reflections, and the fellowship of our little community as we ate, shared, and laughed together also invited me to trust that God was recreating us.

By the end of our time together, spring had given way to summer. The strawflower no longer needed to retreat at night. I long for the day when I will remain open to God and bask in the warmth of Divine Love. But for now, I sense it’s enough to simply listen to the flowers.

“Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with me
and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
— Matthew 11:29-30 (MSG)

Article used with permission and paraphrased from an article originally posted by Esther Hisza on her blog. An Everyday Pilgrim – May 19, 2017. Photos: Esther Hizsa

Thanks Esther!