Harbor of My Heart's Desire

Harbor of my heart’s desire, 

Lord in Thee I seek my rest. 

Thou my anxious thoughts retire; 

Pressing cares, Thy grace divests. 

Oh to hear Your voice so tender- 

Clear and gentle as the dove! 

Call me into quiet waters; 

Still my anchor in Thy love. 

 

Harbor of my heart’s desire, 

All my longings meet in Thee. 

Let the joys of earth conspire- 

They no satisfactions be. 

Earnest as the watchman searching, 

Restless here my soul does roam. 

Guide me by Your present blessing

Into my eternal home.

--K. Hartnett, December 2000

I don't remember what my particular circumstances were as I wrote this poem.  I tend to get more contemplative toward the end of the calendar year and I'm sure this was a contributing factor.

I actually wrote the phrase "harbor of my heart's desire" in an earlier poem (still unfinished) about the Lord's return.  I liked the phrase enough to reuse it as the seed thought for this poem.

Comments

[shelah rote]

I just love that phrase "harbor of my heart's desire" - such a well-defined status of the state... I do so often feel like a pilgrim or a vagabond searching for my port - like Hebrews 4 ... and those of us who love water sports know it's never truly restful until you're docked again. Thank you.