Senior Moments: Jean Donaldson

One of the aspects of our church that many of us value is our inter-generational congregation. Today we’re starting a new series of posts called “Senior Moments.” Through these interviews with seniors at NSCBC, we will see how God has sustained them, taught them, and used them. Sometimes they will share more personally and other times they will talk about how they’ve seen God work at NSCBC over the years. Perhaps you will be inspired by their faith and wisdom. Our first interview was with Jean Donaldson. Here is a summary of Jean’s reflections, written by Marilyn Sweet.

 

Jean Donaldson grew up in Westerly, Rhode Island, the youngest of three children in a home with parents who were totally committed to Jesus Christ. There she was nurtured in the Christian faith and Scripture. Although she was well-versed in the truths of God’s Word and knew about Jesus, it wasn’t until one July morning shortly before her fifteenth birthday that Romans 10:9-10 was impressed on her by the Holy Spirit: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

She knew in her heart that she believed what Jesus had done on her behalf; she then realized that she needed to confess that truth with her mouth. She felt a tremendous relief to confirm that to her mother, knowing that she would go to Heaven when she died.

Jean and her husband, Jim, were married for sixty-eight years at the time of his death last September (2014), at the age of 96. They had moved to Beverly in 2003 to be near their daughter and son-in-law, Joanne & Curtis Ers­ing (also members of NSCBC). God provided for Jean at that time a group of Godly women who met together weekly for Bible study and fellowship — taught by Jean Kalland. Of that group of women all but Jean, and Jan Biggar, are with the Lord.

A difficult time in life through which God sustained Jean — besides the loss of her husband — were several sig­nificant losses in late 1977/early 1978. Jim was let go from his accounting position; and just after the “Blizzard of ‘78”, they suffered a serious fire in their home in Seekonk, MA, necessitating a move to a hotel for three months. These things contributed to Jim experiencing a deep depression. However, God provided in abundant ways, in­cluding recently increased insurance coverage, which helped cover repairs and replacement. They attribute God’s faithfulness in helping to bring them through this hard period.

When asked “What has been the best invention in your lifetime?”, Jean was quick to respond ‘the computer’ and technology. She is very appreciative of the connections email provides for keeping in touch with family and friends (and even added how “provoked” she feels when she is unable to access it!). Jean freely uses that means to encourage others.

JeanDonaldson  Jean Donaldson

2 Responses

  1. Nancy Stallard says:

    Dear Jean,
    Thank you for your thoughts and wisdom. I have appreciated your friendship so much. You have such
    a peace and grace and I know your faith is strong.
    I very much love to talk with you and learn from you.
    Nancy

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