So, this week, I find myself once again studying and comparing the miracles performed by Christ. I compared two similar instances where the people were gathered to be healed and taught by the Lord, and they were there so long that it was necessary for them to receive nourishment so the Lord provided a way so they would not have to leave. I realized there was a lesson here for us about how we need to rely on the Lord when we fall short.  

Here is my comparison chart of the separate stories:

	Matthew 14:14-21	Matthew 15:32-38
How many people were present?	5 thousand	4 thousand
What did they need?	“victuals” or food	food
What were they able to offer in an effort to meet the need?	5 Loaves & two fishes	7 Loaves and a few little fish
What words or phrases describe the Savior’s feeling toward the multitudes in their time of need?	Moved with compassion	He had compassion
What words or phrases describe what the Savior was able to provide for the multitudes?	“Looking up to Heaven, He blessed, and brake, and gave…” “And they did all eat and were filled”	“gave thanks and brake them, and gave…”     “And they did all eat and were filled…”

In each story, the available food was insufficient to feed the multitude, yet with the help of the Lord, the insufficiency was overcome. In Romans 3:23, we read that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. In this way, all human effort is insufficient in receiving the glory of God. According to Ether 12:27, we learn that the Lord helps us overcome this insufficiency  when we come to Him in humility and in our weakness, then He will make our weaknesses strong.

In life, I have found that while we can reach out to others and receive some help and strength in our trial and endeavors, it is not until we come to Christ that we find true healing and strenght to overcome our obstacles.