Pepsi, Birthdays and Me

Pepsi isn’t turning 60 this year, but I am.

My world collided with the world of Pepsi when I turned 6 years old. 

Just 6. 

6 without the 0 after it . . . a long time ago.

What started out as a drink called “Brad’s Drink” and was invented by a pharmacist in 1893 to offer to his customers at his soda fountain ended up being the catalyst of my excitement to turn 6 years old. Caleb Bradham’s dark caramel colored (Caramel E105d to name the exact color) carbonated drink has been renamed twice and by 1961 was known and consumed by millions all over the world. And they had a special truck named after it. The Pepsi Party Truck.

For every child turning six, Pepsi offered a free cake, ice cream and Pepsi drinks up to a

certain number for their birthday party. I remember the box, the small round cups of ice cream with the small wooden spoons and the Pepsi. I’m sure my party guest were bouncing off the walls for hours once they returned home with all the sugar, but it was a great time. Recently one of my granddaughters turned six and she got to enjoy the same Pepsi Party truck experience. (Even though now I believe you pick up your Party box from the bottling company, not a party truck.)

Now I’m adding the 0 to the number six and I’m not excited about the Pepsi Party Truck, but about what the next stage of life will bring. I don’t think I will morph into a multi-million company and touch lives for generations all around the world for years, but maybe I will . . . well, maybe not the multi-million dollar company part. But just maybe I will do something to touch lives for generations all around the world for years, through writing.

I don’t remember the actual gifts I received at the six-year party, but I am well aware of the gifts that my Heavenly Father has given me. What a disappointment to my parents if they gave me a gift and I opened it but never used it and enjoyed it. Same with my Father. How disappointed He would be to give me a gift and I never used it or enjoyed it.

So, as I embark on this new decade, one in which there is a 0 after the 6, I’m going to take the gifts He so graciously put in my care and use them. My prayer is that the words that will be written and spoken will touch lives for generations to come and through the amazing Internet, all around the world.

I don’t know how old you are, but I do know that the Lord has graciously given you gifts and has put them in your care. Are you using them? Did you at one time, but for whatever reason put them down or in a place for another time?

There is no time like the present. The One who bestowed these gifts also encourages us with His word for:

• “Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

• “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” 1 Peter 4:10

• “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them:. . ." Romans 12:6    

It may not be your birthday but I would love for you to join me in celebrating not only our

salvation and the freedom we have in being God’s child through believing in His Son Jesus Christ, but also the gifts He has given each one of us. And as we celebrate, let’s not put the gifts aside, but use them as they were intended by the most loving gift-giver of all.

And as far as my 60th Birthday . . . 
a Big Happy 60th Birthday to me!!!

Scripture from English Standard Version (ESV) Bible

photos of 60th balloons and Beth by Beth Fortune

remaning photos courtesty of www.pixabay.com