Captured Heart

By Daneen Padilla

“Captured Heart is a story of tragedy, loss, and homelessness, but also something more—it’s a parable of healing, hope, and redemption, illustrating the truth that we are all homeless in spirit until we meet the one who brings us home. Daneen Padilla conveys a heart for the hurting in this touching account, as well as a heart for the Father who notices every falling sparrow.”
—Bill Shepson, author and editor

Captured Heart illustrates the heart of God toward every person, regardless of background and history. It conveys the value that He places on each person, by demonstrating His desire for a personal relationship, and to reveal the individual’s true identity. I invite you to join Amy as she discovers that identity and value are not determined by other people, but by the One who made her.

Rejected and disowned as a child, and later shunned by society, Amy learned to survive. Experience taught her that she is alone and no one cares. One evening, exceptionally hungry and cold, Amy accepted the invitation to food and shelter at the rescue mission. That decision not only saved her life, but it led to the discovery of her true identity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 20, 2020
• ISBN: 9781490880563

Daneen Padilla

Daneen Padilla lives in Pueblo, Colorado. She has a heart for outreach and taking the good news of Christ to the lost, broken, and weary. She has over twenty years’ experience in volunteer-outreach ministry through Pueblo Christian Center, and more recently through Mercy Springs Ministries in Colorado Springs, and the Springs Rescue Mission. She is the author of a collection of children’s stories, Stories from the Carpenter’s Shop.

Book preview

1

A my stood inside the door of the Rescue Mission, hands trembling in her pockets, trying to decide whether to stay or go. She suffered more than a little anxiety around other people, especially clean people, so she habitually avoided the shelter. However, the temperature outside remained in the single digits, and not eating in three days only made matters worse. Her psychological and emotional walls provided no protection from the weather. Over a decade of homelessness had prepared her to deal with the hunger and cold, but the gale outside threatened to rip off the few threads that covered her body.

She didn’t even consider staying in the line for food. Nearly 30 people already stood in line between the door and the food tables, with the line continuing out the door, and about twice as many ate at tables around the room. She moved toward a table in the back and hoped no one would noticed her before she warmed enough to leave.

As she tried to stifle the trembling, she saw a man, woman, and two young children moving together as they were served. Each touched the one in front or back with a hand or arm. They are trying to make it as a family. They haven’t given up … Stop it, Amy. You can’t do anything to help them. You can barely take care of yourself, her thoughts scolded.

Some people walked to the tables holding their large bowls of stew close to them, with chunks of potatoes, carrots, or meat peaking over the top. Others warmed their hands over their cups of whatever hot beverage they chose. Amy wished she could smell the food and drinks, but the only thing that penetrated her stuffed nose was the odor of her unwashed body and clothes. The heat in the room caused her slowly warming body to shake and feel stabs of cold more acutely.

Miss, Amy turned her focus to the table in front of her. She couldn’t bring herself to look at whoever produced the kind, masculine voice at her side. She shrank at the memory of the looks of disgust most people gave her.

We have a bed for you if you want to stay with us tonight.

I just came to warm up, she thought.

Would you like to stay tonight? he asked. The wind screamed an icy threat.

It’s freezing outside and the wind is piercing. A warm place to stay tonight might be worth the discomfort. But I don’t need a bed–a piece of the floor is enough.

The only requirement for staying is that you attend the service after the meal. It lasts about 30 minutes, and I think you might like it.

What is that in his voice? More than general concern. It’s as if he cares about me specifically. No one has ever cared about me. Why would he?

Amy was about to shake her head to decline the offer when he said, We already reserved a bed for you. The service starts in about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, if you want to eat, I am happy to serve you. When you finish eating, the ladies’ wing is through the doors on the left. He pointed to the wooden door with the sign Women on a metal plate.

I’m Joshua and I run the mission. Angela, Ariel, Michael, Rafael, and I live here. We are happy to help in any way–night or day. Feel free to ask for me anytime. May I bring a bowl of stew and a hot drink for you?

Outside the glass door, heavy flakes blanketed the trees and ground. She nodded with small movements.

Joshua returned with a full bowl and a cup of tea. May I do anything else for you?

Amy shook her head.

I will see you at the service then.

That was the same man in the alley when the wind suddenly changed from a breeze. She had never seen a man who attracted her curiosity as he did. He is different. When he invited everyone to the mission, he genuinely seemed to want us to come. Now he actually seems happy, maybe even excited, that we’re here. Why aren’t we invisible or disgusting to him?

Amy’s head ached with all the thoughts. Her body, warming, alerted her to its exhaustion. Not knowing what to do with the empty dishes, she left them on the table. She couldn’t bring herself to lift her head and look for Joshua. She moved toward the door with the word Women.

As the door closed behind her, she felt paralyzed.

2

T he pale peach walls were probably meant to soothe, but the white sheets on mint green, metal beds sent panic through her being. Everything is clean. I don’t want to spoil anything. This place is not like the park restrooms. I haven’t cleaned up much since the city shut off the water for the winter. I’ve worn the same clothes for months. I smell like the garbage cans I scavenge through–and body odor.

A woman dressed in lemon yellow called to Amy from down the hall, Hi there. I am Ariel. Come, she waved to Amy. We have your bed ready, a private shower reserved for you, and warm clothes. Tell us which clothes you like. She pointed to the shelves that lined one wall.

Amy’s chest and throat tightened, choking her. Ariel rushed to her.

Relax. We’ll take care of you. Ariel placed a gentle hand on Amy’s arm. Amy flinched. Her chest tightened more. Everything in her desired to cry out at the woman’s touch. Ariel withdrew her hand. If you want to rest a bit before showering, that’s fine. We won’t rush you.

Amy managed to slow her panicked gasps to deep breaths. When her breathing returned to normal, she turned to look down the hall. Shelves of clothes lined the walls. They seemed to be organized by size.

These should fit you. Ariel waved her hand in front of one section.

Do you want to choose clothes now? Angela asked. Or you can rest in this chair first, if you prefer.

Amy glanced at the chair but shook her head. Why would they give me clothes? Are they just for the night? Do they want me to wear these in the bed so I don’t ruin the bedding? I’ll sleep on the floor.

Angela said, Your clothes are too worn to protect you much. Keep whatever you choose. We’ll give you a coat, too, before you leave.

Ariel agreed. You need something warmer. The policy is that guests may stay up to three weeks. If you need shelter longer, we’ll connect you with some long-term options. But we can’t imagine letting you leave in what you’re wearing. You’d freeze.

Angela lifted her hand to the shelves. Please choose something you like.

Amy didn’t want to offend them, so she hesitantly pointed to a beige sweater.

At their prompting, she moved to the pants and selected a pair of khakis. The ladies insisted she choose new underwear and socks, as well as shoes that fit properly. With all this completed, they led her to the showers, and added a white towel and wash cloth to the pile that Ariel carried for her.

Your new clothes will be on the bench outside the shower when you finish. Take your time, Ariel instructed as she left the new items on the bench near the shower.

Amy closed the shower room door when Ariel left. She found a mirror on the wall above the sink, and on the sink items for after her shower. Turning, she saw liquid soap and shampoo in dispensers