Twenty Things BradyBunch is Grateful For In 2020

The general consensus is that this year was an awful year. I don't think anyone denies it. But that does not mean you did not receive blessings amidst trials. It's easy to say you can't see how this could have been a blessing, that everything is terrible and the world sucks and you have literally nothing to be grateful for. First off, you're not fourteen any more. Leave the edge behind. Second, if you can only see blessings in your life when it's easy, and you fail to see any blessings in times of trial, you frankly don't deserve to have them. It's even worse if you take blessings for granted in easy times. When they get taken away in hard times, it hurts even more than it probably should. That's a result of not seeing the blessings already present in your life.

I do not speak for anyone's personal experiences, but what I can tell you is that you can look for bad things, or you can look for good things. And you typically find what you seek for.

With that said, I have found at least twenty things I am thankful for this year despite my trials, or rather because of them.

1. I live in the United States, where I am the freest in the world, can say what I want to say, and be whoever I want to be.
2. I live with an amazing family that are my best friends in the world, and that me and my brother could be with them for Thanksgiving and the holidays.
3. I have a newfound appreciation for the modern methods of communication and technology.
4. I have quick and easy access to some of the best entertainment on earth.
5. I have quick and cheap access to food, running water, and basic utilities.
6. I am thankful for traditions and the culture I am a part of.
7. I am thankful that I am part of a religion that genuinely cares for us and that I have the word of God on the earth.
8. I have genuine friends on this website, and it doesn't matter what demographic they fit.
9. I am thankful for my talents in storytelling that allows my voice to be heard to whoever wishes to read it.
10. I am thankful for this website, and the tv show it was inspired by.
11. None of my family members have caught Covid or died from it.
12. As far as worldwide pandemics go, this could have been far worse. What if this was another Ebola? The fatality rate could have been far worse, or the infection could spread through mosquitos, or the vaccines could have taken far longer. This was a wake-up call for what can potentially happen, and regardless of how bad things are, it could be far worse.
13. I live in a relatively safe, tolerant area, whether from droughts or hollering BLM and Antifa protests. I don't have to worry about being canceled, doxxed, or attacked on the street.
14. I'm grateful that my gratitude was increased for the mundane. My eyes can see that every small thing is a miracle in my life.
15. I'm grateful for my weakness towards sinful tendencies. It makes me humble enough to call on God for help, and he can make those weak parts of me strong.
16. I'm grateful that I was called to earth at this time, where I was able to grow into a position where I can help the world the best way I know how.
17. I'm grateful that I'm not poor, but I also learned how to be responsible with money in a safe way.
18. I'm grateful for the opportunities I get to serve my friends here and help them with issues. It gives me a sense of fulfillment. I know I need to go higher from here on out, but I genuinely care about you. I'm always thinking of you and what is best for you to hear from me.
19. I'm grateful that I can expand my talents in quarantine, like working in Photoshop, algebra, and piano skills. I would not be compelled to grow if not for my current trials.
20. I'm grateful for spoons.

The Lord is willing, more than willing, to pour out blessings upon you. The only thing preventing you from that is yourself. Those blessings are conditional upon you asking for them, which is totally reasonable.

In addition, there is a law, irrevocably decreed, that says whenever you receive blessings, it is because of obedience to the law that the blessing was predicated upon.

I urge you to remember your fathers and mothers and learn from them: what to do and what not to do. This is the best opportunity to grow and surpass what they were capable of. I know that we can do this. We are strong men and women; why else would we be on earth in this particular era?

Keep the faith and be sober. We need you, tough guy.

Comments

[A Man Undercover]

Happy Thanksgiving, my friend.

[Forgetful]

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hope you're well.

[The Blue EM2]

Happy Thanksgiving, Brady. Let's hope that 2021 is, in the words of John Lennon, "a good one, without any fear."