Everybody knows that gifts are given at Christmas time. (I am enjoying my new desk top coffee maker right now.) Other gifts generally show up around our birthdays. But did you know that there are a whole host of unique “gifts” just sitting around waiting for you right now? You don’t need to wait for a special occasion, you can just pick them up.

One example are the abandoned savings accounts, utility deposits, payroll checks, insurance and tax refunds and other cash assets that are sitting in a state unclaimed property account. In California, it is estimated that the state is holding about $11.9 billion of unclaimed properties. Nationally, that number grows to about $49 billion!

I just looked up my own California account and found that Safeco Insurance Co. of America has a check waiting for me from some 30 years ago! (I will be claiming that one!)

Additionally, as believers in Christ, there are a whole host of other “unclaimed benefits” just waiting for us. Some of those gifts are the spiritual gifts that the Holy Spirit desires to bestow on God’s kids. I Peter 4:10 tells us that each of us should use those gifts to serve others.

But there is a special list of gifts found in II Tim. 1:7 where Paul states, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” Now there are three gifts worth claiming…power, love and a sound mind!

So, this week, if you find yourself struggling a bit, remember all the incredible spiritual and practical gifts the Lord has waiting for you. In particular, claim His power over your situation, apply His love to your circumstances and appropriate that sound mind for your dilemma.

Those unclaimed gifts can make a world of a difference!

(I am off to the website for California unclaimed property…)