Matthew 14: Food for Take Away

Matthew 14 is a long, quirky chapter filled with random, disconnected stories... yet each story is a book in and of itself.  If I had to summarise what I've learned from this chapter (not an easy task), I might say something like this:

1. It's okay to withdraw for a while when processing grief or trauma.  Go hide under the covers for a day and extend a little grace to yourself.
2. If you want a good leader, be a good follower.  In other words, make it as easy as possible for them to do the right thing and not cave to pressure.
3. Don't quit before your second wind kicks in. You have more strength than you think.
4. Acknowledge your limitations, but offer what you do have - skills, time, etc.  Collaboration is a pretty cool thing.
5. Some days we're emotionally all over the place.  That's okay.  Tomorrow will be different.
6. Some queues aren't worth waiting in.  Others are.  Question why you're in the queue, and if you're in it for a good reason, wait patiently.  Good things are likely to come when it's your turn.