Ah, the year 2020; no doubt most of us would like to throw it in the trash bin of history and pretend that didn't just happen.

But alas...I wanted to look at the year from a different perspective. That's why I chose the picture I did for this blog post. You see, while 2020 did show mankind's absolute propensity for losing its ever-loving mind, and turning a slightly worse than average respiratory virus into the ultimate plague against humanity - my family had some things happen this year that showed the actual American dream in action!

Going from left to right... the big goofy guy with the goatee, carrying a bag for the soldier - that's me. I can proudly say, after almost 10 years in law enforcement, and wanting to eventually be a school resource officer, to influence young people and show them that police are not the villains that the media makes us out to be - I started my first job (and hopefully the one where I will finish) as a school resource officer in the Spring of 2020.

Moving to the right, you see my son. The young soldier in the picture is just that; a soldier! And my son started talking about joining the military when he was just 7 years old, and hasn't wavered in his patriotism since. I cannot tell you how proud I am of my son, taking it upon himself to sign up and join the Army National Guard. It was a real pleasure, receiving letters from him during all his initial training. It was almost surreal, getting to read the words across the page and watching his military dream come true.

Finally, you see my wife on the right. I have always envied her ability to make math easier for others (I really stink at math). My wife has always wanted a full time math position at a 4 year university, and during the Summer of 2020, she had her prayers answered with a full time math position at a university not far from where we live.

And to top things off, speaking of family; my youngest brother and his wife had their first child. So the Fort family even grew in the dreaded year 2020!

The reason I wanted to post this is because life really and truly is what you make of it - and, what you put into your relationship with God, to live your life...for Him.

I don't say this to brag at all. I say this because I know, in my heart of hearts, that God blessed our family this year with these milestones... and if we had not all three been conscientiously seeking God more, I might wonder how we got so lucky.

But because I know what we prayed for, and I know how much closer my wife and son have gotten to God this year, I don't have to wonder.

Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." I know from the teachings of my parents, and pastors and youth pastors, and Sunday school teachers, and grandparents - these words weren't just empty words in a book.

So while we all face 2021, and maybe some consternation of what might be with the unknowns in world-wide events and pandemics, and wars and rumors of wars - take heart.

God gives everyone a chance at life and dreams. And even when the world seems chaotic and depressed, He still answers prayers and shows Himself in our lives. I encourage each of us, every day in 2021 (and years to come) to just follow the advice of Matthew.