Jimbo's Jots

I’ve been thinking about Don Henley’s song The Heart of the Matter:

“I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter
But my will gets weak and my thoughts seem to scatter.
But I think it’s about forgiveness—
Forgiveness, even if you don’t love me anymore.”

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve wrestled with some heavy themes—facing our challenges, letting go of the need to always be right, and remembering that God is on our side. This song reminded me of where all of those reflections ultimately lead: forgiveness.

As a kind of “final chapter” in this series of thoughts, I want to explore that heart of the matter. Recently I came across a book by Lewis B. Smedes, The Art of Forgiving: When You Need to Forgive and Don’t Know How. I’m not what you’d call an avid reader, but something tells me this is one I need to dig into—especially in the context of ministry and counseling.

In The Art of Forgiving, Lewis B. Smedes unpacks forgiveness in a very practical and compassionate way. He acknowledges how hard it can be to forgive—especially when the hurt runs deep—but he also shows that forgiveness is not about excusing wrongs or pretending they didn’t happen. Instead, it’s about releasing ourselves from the grip of bitterness and opening the door to healing. Smedes lays out the steps of forgiveness honestly and gently, offering wisdom for people who want to forgive but feel stuck in the process.

Forgiveness is never easy. It stretches us, humbles us, and sometimes feels impossible. Yet it is at the very heart of our faith. When we forgive, we reflect the God who has forgiven us more than we could ever repay.

Maybe that’s why Henley’s lyrics still resonate so deeply—because they remind us that, in the end, it really is about forgiveness. And maybe that’s why voices like Smedes are so important—because they give us a way forward when our hearts don’t know how.

So as we close this series of reflections, I invite you to ask yourself: Where is God nudging me to move toward forgiveness? It might be with someone who hurt you long ago, or even with yourself. Whatever the case, the heart of the matter is this—God’s grace is big enough to carry you through the struggle, and His love is strong enough to make forgiveness possible.

Be blessed! Be a blessing in forgiveness!

P.S. Maybe you might want to join me in reading this book and share your thoughts.