I grew up with board games. We didn’t have many board games, but the ones we had were fun. We played “Sorry!,” Risk,” and several others. The one I remember the best was “Monopoly.” I wasn’t the only one who liked Monopoly.

Monopoly is one of the first board games and one of the most popular games of all time. It began in the early 1900’s and is still played today. My dad wasn’t a big player of games, but he could always get into Monopoly. He was as competitive as anyone when it came to traveling around the board and buying up real estate.

You probably have played Monopoly. It was based on Atlantic City where they really do have a Park Place and all the other locations.

One of the things I particularly remember about Monopoly is that you could go to jail and you could also get a “Get out of Jail Free” card.

It’s one of those things that everyone can identify with. We all need a card to get out of jail.

We all know what it’s like to feel trapped or stuck. Yesterday, I seemed to spend a large part of my day with people who felt trapped and without hope. They all needed a card to get unstuck and to be freed.

One of the things that amazes me so much about Holy Scripture is how it speaks to people who are struggling with difficulty and who can’t seem to find any way out. While the Bible doesn’t provide a silver bullet or a get out of jail free card, it does tell us of a God who knows us and the troubles that trap us. God tells us to cast all of our cares on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). I’m always encouraged when I know someone cares.

I am really encouraged to know that the Creator of the universe knows all about me and cares for me. He knows my DNA sequence and the number of hairs on my head.

He knows all my troubles–and all my faults–and He still cares.

How great is our God. He is a “good, good Father.”