Love in a Nutshell – September: The Cord That Holds
Here is the September entry for Love in a Nutshell – A Maple Lane Mystery, where the crisp air of fall brings a chance to heal what was frayed and to find love and belonging in the most unexpected reconnections.
Love in a Nutshell – September: The Cord That Holds
The maples on the edge of the church lawn had begun their shift to gold and amber, the kind of change that sneaks up on you when you're not watching. Aimee Little had been watching, though—every leaf, every breeze, every pause from a friend who used to speak quickly and freely to her.
The distance between her and Associate Pastor Alden Leonard had been growing since June. He had made a comment—meant for a leadership meeting only—that Aimee had heard secondhand. Something about a committee needing “more reliable” involvement. Something about “artistry being unpredictable.” The words weren’t meant to hurt, but they did. Especially because she was the one who had helped rally the community behind his hiring just last year.
Now it was September, and the youth kickoff was coming. Aimee, once the go-to for design, snacks, and quirky spiritual object lessons, wasn’t even on the list of volunteers. And no one had noticed. Or so she thought.
Pastor Joe, the senior minister, had. He’d noticed Alden’s nervous glances every time Aimee passed by after service. He’d also noticed the unsent text messages sitting in Alden’s drafts folder during Tuesday staff meetings.
“Three cords, Alden,” Pastor Joe had said one day in his office, tapping the open Bible on his desk. “You and I both know it. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. You’re one strand. She’s another. The third—God—will hold you both if you just tie the knot again.”
So Alden did the one thing Aimee hadn’t expected: he showed up at her favorite park bench with two cups of spiced apple cider and an apology.
“I didn’t mean for my words to echo like that,” he said. “I was wrong. I should have come to you first.”
Aimee didn’t answer right away. But her hand cradled the cup, and she finally whispered, “I thought you didn’t want me here.”
“I can’t do ministry here without you,” Alden admitted. “You’re part of the reason I’m even here.”
Their silence was sacred. And then Aimee pulled something from her bag—a simple cord she had been using in her latest craft. It was braided in three colors: gold, forest green, and burgundy.
“I made this for a youth lesson... before I thought I didn’t belong,” she said. “Want to help me teach it next Sunday?”
Alden grinned. “I’d be honored.”
That Sunday, after the youth group’s fall kickoff, a new banner hung in the fellowship hall—painted in soft strokes and bold colors by Aimee herself.
“Together, with God, we are unbreakable.”
Ecclesiastes 4:12
Scripture Reflection:
Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)
“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
Journal Prompt:
Is there someone in your life you've unintentionally distanced? How might God be asking you to mend that cord and begin again?
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