The story in which Jesus instructs Peter to “Feed my lambs” and “Feed my sheep” is well known.  In the past I have skimmed over this instruction, assuming I knew what it meant, but reading it recently I found myself with questions:

Do I know what “feeds” and what doesn’t?

When I am being “fed,” do I recognize it?

I think I am best fed when I hear or read something that immediately fills a specific soul-need of mine.  When that happens, I know it is a miracle and a tender mercy from God because hardly ever does the speaker or writer know of my need as they deliver the words that feed me.

I remember one specific instance--although there have been many before and since, this one sticks out—when a Thanksgiving dinner’s worth of doctrine was lobbed specifically in my direction by a youth speaker in church.  It was custom-cooked for me to chew on and to be inspired by.  There is no way that young girl could have known the obstacles I was facing, but she fed me.  I am forever grateful for that.

What about when I’msupposed to be lobbing the doctrinal turkey dinners?  Do I know what feeds and what doesn’t?  Heh, I’d like to think I do.  Doctrine, testimony, personal experiences illustrating specific principles, scripture..   Yet none of it is well-delivered without the Holy Ghost.  Trying to make a sensation doesn’t work; it feels flat and dead, even if it intrigues.  Usually I know when I’ve fed the sheep when I feel satisfaction about the message I’ve shared.  It’s kind of a light feeling, one that is unconnected with bodily sensations; I couldn’t point to any particular place in my body that this sense of satisfaction comes from. 

 And there is so much spiritual striving involved that it can get overwhelming at times.  For example:

[insert agonizing writer noises here]

But I can also step back and realize that I’m not the only one who feels this.  I suppose that every teacher in the church who feels a deep obligation to feed their class a doctrinal feast goes through this same struggle as they prepare.  I suppose that every one who wants to write something inspiring experiences the same agony of creation and satisfaction at completion.  And when I realize that, I just wish I could thank every single one of you for the good you do, day after day, week after week, month after month..  I just want to cry with gratitude that there are so many voices for good, so many lights shining, so many pouring out the living waters. 

Will you tell me about your struggle to feed the sheep?