Telling of His Goodness: My Life Story

By Brenda Randall

This shall be written for the generation to come: and the people who shall be created shall praise the Lord.
Psalm 102:18

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16.

For God so loved me, and He loves you too.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Inspiring Voices
• Release date: Aug 7, 2012
• ISBN: 9781462402267

Brenda Randall

Brenda Randall is a licensed minister and inspirational speaker, who founded Telling of His Goodness Ministries, based in Houston, Texas. It was inspirational in educating and supporting many underprivileged families to become self-sufficient by eradicating homelessness in the Houston community. She has helped plant many ministries worldwide. She and her husband, Lawrence moved back to Cottonport, Louisiana, near their hometown, to finish the vision that was started years earlier. After the death of her husband, she is quietly ministering and leading many to righteousness by sharing of the Lord’s Goodness; of His love, mercy, and grace. She has one surviving daughter.

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Copyright © 2012 Brenda Joyce Randall

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

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www.inspiringvoices.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4624-0225-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4624-0226-7 (e)

Inspiring Voices rev. date: 09/21/2012

Contents

Foreword 

Acknowledgments 

Preface 

Chapter 1   My Childhood 

Chapter 2   New Adventures 

Chapter 3   Praise God For Salvation 

Chapter 4   Someone’s Watching You 

Chapter 5   The Real Work 

Chapter 6   Ask And It Shall Be Given 

Chapter 7   Devastating Diagnosis & More Tragic News 

Chapter 8   Prayers Carrying Us Through 

Chapter 9   Moving Days 

Chapter 10   On The Road Again 

Chapter 11   A New Year 

Chapter 12   Good Times 

Chapter 13   He’s Gone 

Chapter 14   Where Do I Go From Here? 

Afterword 

Conclusion 

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I had fainted, unless I

Had believed to see the

Goodness of the Lord

In the land of the living.

Wait on the Lord: be of

Good courage and he

Shall strengthen thine heart;

Wait, I say on the Lord.

Psalm 27:13-14

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TO MY WONDERFUL PARENTS, to whom I shall ever be grateful for teaching me how to work hard at an early age with endurance and patience which has sustained me thus far.

TO MY DARLING DAUGHTERS, Yolanda and Regina, who went Home to be with the Lord at young ages, but who really loved the Lord and their family.

TO MY HUSBAND, Lawrence Randall, Jr., who also went home to be with the Lord recently after forty-three years of marriage, but left us with a legacy of love. He was a man with a generous heart that was always concerned about others. Faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.

FOR MY DAUGHTER, Shenetha, my oldest, whom I love dearly. She is yet encouraged to keep the faith especially after losing her two sisters. She is an encouragement to me and to others around her.

Foreword 

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Standing in the present, you never know what lies ahead. One event from one year to the next, one day to the next, or even from sunrise to sunset can turn your life upside down.

Journey with Mrs. Brenda Randall, affectionately known as Aunt Marie, as she shares the triumphs, tragedies and ever-increasing faith that has sustained her through it all.

The anecdote she shares is much needed in this world where complaining and discontentment are commonplace.

Even the loss of two children seemingly prematurely, didn’t keep her from sharing that radiant smile and sweet, soft spoken voice of encouragement.

Aunt Marie, I’m glad God has placed it in your heart, to let us journey with you, as you tell your story. May you continue to be blessed with the Peace of God and be an inspirational blessing to others.

Rev. Dexter Compton, Sr.

Pastor

First Union Baptist Church

Alexandria, Louisiana

Acknowledgments 

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First, to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who put the burning desire in my heart to go a little farther, and tell of His Goodness by writing this book. So, I will obey and thank Him for bringing the vision to pass.

I thank the Lord for Inspiring Voices, who inspired me to begin my writing career and for encouraging me to write my life’s story.

I appreciate my family and friends for their prayers, support, and encouragements. May the Lord bless you all in the name of Jesus our Lord. To God be the glory!

Preface 

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Why I Wrote This Book

It’s been 37 years since I first determined to trust the Lord as my personal Savior and to live by the Word of God.

The Bible tells us that when our lives seems insurmountable, or when we feel brokenhearted, it is good to be reminded of Jesus Words, "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek: he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified." (Isaiah 61:1-3).

One night in August, 2002 while attending NDDC Winter Camp Meeting in Houston, Texas after 911… The Lord impressed the Scripture (Psalm 27:13-14) on my heart, which is about not fainting in the day of adversity. David was reminded of God’s Goodness while facing his enemies: he could stand and be encouraged in spite of what he had been through or had to go through. It was so impressed on my heart that I could not sleep. The Lord gave me instructions how to design bookmarks with those Scriptures and send them to the White House and to our former Houston mayor and other leaders in our community, who in turn sent gestures of friendships for the encouragements of those words.

Shortly after the 911 tragedy and other disturbing news that happened in our city, I was so thankful for obeying the Lord and sending those words, because what the enemy meant for evil, the Lord turned it around for our good. The Lord was encouraging our hearts with those verses to hold on and not become fearful.

At the most tragic times, God is available to us. He can and will heal broken and hurting hearts if we allow Him.

Even through heartbreaking losses in my life, the Lord gave me a peace that surpasses all understanding. It carried me through the tough times and I am learning that time heals all wounds, which I would like to share.

The Lord has taken out the sting of death, as I have learned through the years that it is in times like these that He is carrying us.

Since many people have asked me, How are you so strong and able to encourage others and seem to have it altogether when going through such great trials? So, I am led to write this book to say that God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. (Psalm 46:1-2, 7 & 11).

Although my sorrows in life have been deep and agonizing, I stand firmly on the Word of God. My personal testimony is that He will surely bring you out of any situation if you trust Him. It is not I, but it is the Spirit of the Lord in my life that lives through me. I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me.

I pray that you will feel inspired to reach out to the all-knowing God who is able to keep us from falling even in the most adverse times.

Remember the days of long ago! Ask your father and the aged men; they will tell you all about it. Deuteronomy 32; 7 LB

The reason for telling of His Goodness is that I want to make sure the people in my world know what He has done in my life.

Love & Prayers,

Brenda Bazile Randall

CHAPTER ONE

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My Childhood 

I was born in Morrow, Louisiana, a very small country town in rural Louisiana on September 1st, 1949. Daddy was a farmer and Mother helped him work in the fields to help make ends meet. My oldest sister next to me, died in 1946 from pneumonia when she was only an infant. I had two older sisters and one brother who lived with my maternal grandparents. Mother never got over losing that baby girl. My maternal grandparents, lived in a little red house on Indian Bayou Road in Cottonport, Louisiana, not very far from where I was born.

I was born about three years later, the oldest of three more girls and two boys. Mother told me that when I was born, a stranger came to the country to work in his family store. He asked her, Can I name her Brenda Joyce after one of my favorite movie stars? Mother consented, but my paternal Grandmother, Sally, who was a little old fashioned didn’t like that modern name. She started calling me Marie and so does the rest of my family. Others ask, Where did you get the name Brenda? I explained that I answer to both names because I respected Mother and grandmother.

I was born near my paternal grandparents’ house. I do not remember much about Papa Coco, except that he wore a big hat and loved riding his black horse. He passed when I was very young, but I remembered Mama Sally very well. She was very strict & prideful, but she loved and helped care for us.

My maternal grandparents’ house was located in front of a small pond, where we could catch crawfish. I visited them often to be with my older siblings. I liked riding horses with my brother Tokey and his friends. As a child, I helped pick cotton with my grandfather Watsy, Tokey and the neighbors.

In those cotton picking days we would buy moon cookies and Pepsi Cola