'You can't always get what you want'

NORWALK — Rock & Roll and Jesus. What a way to start your morning. The Rolling Stones were mentioned more than once Thursday morning at the National Day of Prayer, hosted by the First Presbyterian Church in Norwalk. "Forgive me this morning ... there will be many musical references," guest speaker Dr. Vicki Brown said with a laugh. Music has been a part of Brown's life, and she sings at St. Paul Catholic Church. But, Dr. Brown was quick to point out, she is not quitting her day job. Dr. Vicki Brown and her husband, Dr. Chris Brown, have worked with Fisher-Titus Family Medicine in Willard for almost 30 years. Her message was simple and to the point: "You can't always get what you want." "Jesus taught us how to pray," Vicki said. "So I won't try to top him. I will just refer you to Matthew, Chapter 6, where we find The Lord's Prayer. It's as simple as that. "I have come to believe from prayer God will give you something for someone else, he will give you what you need and he will give something better than what you asked for." Dr. Brown started by talking about her mother, a single woman raising a daughter. How was she going to do it? Through God, she said, "She got something for somebody else." Fast forward when Dr. Brown was trying to get into medical school. Was she going to make it? "I got what I needed," she said about the acceptance letter from The Ohio State University. And, finally, she talked about a one-on-one visit with a patient who was pregnant with kidney issues. She wanted to end the pregnancy. Through guidance Vickie talked the woman out of that decision and "I got something better." The woman had a baby boy named Matthew. "I am blessed and thankful for that," she said. Opening the event was Rev. James Hodsden, pastor of First Presbyterian Church. During his welcome he described himself as "eye candy," pointing out everybody else did all of the work. Speakers to follow were: • Dr. Christina Canfield, Fisher-Titus Family Medicine, Wakeman (introduction of Dr. Brown). • Dr. Julie Murdock, ministry associate, First Presbyterian Church (prayers for civic and public leaders and for our community). • Capt. John Esker, The Salvation Army (prayers for those who protect and serve). • Capt. Kate Esker, The Salvation Army (prayers for healing and care givers). • Malcolm James, youth director, First Presbyterian Church (prayers for our nation, families and school). The National Day of Prayer was created in 1952 and signed into law by President Truman. It is an annual day of observance inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation.