I met Tina Yeager through her leadership position in a local foster care organization.  As I got o know her, I was impressed by her warm, professional manner and passion for serving the community.  As it turns out, like most of FemmeFuel writers and followers, she does the balancing act—Business Owner, Committed Mom, Christian Leader and Writer.  She is absolutely qualified to be our very interesting woman for January 2011.  I hope you enjoy her candid thoughts on femininity, relationships and being a single mom.  Feel free to post your comments and ask questions—she will be with us all week!  – AbbyA

AbbyA: What fuels the Godly woman?

Tina Yeager: The Godly woman is fueled by a desire to please the Lord.  Instinctively, we dedicate our lives to nurturing those around us.  As mothers, we spend endless hours on homework, laundry and taking care of the daily basics such as homework, meals, baths, prayer and even discipline. As women, I feel giving back to the less fortunate and raising children who understand and walk in true relationship with Jesus is what the Lord is calling us to do.  Each day, as we grow closer to the Lord, we are able to make wiser and wiser decisions and avoid the self-gratifying and self-serving decisions which give us that instant gratification we so craved as non-Christian women.

I pray Psalm 51:10 frequently: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Even in my early days of serving the Lord, I struggled with allowing God to fuel my desires versus worldly desires guided by my own emotions.  I have made so many mistakes in the past because I didn’t understand spiritual warfare and the need for putting on the full armor of God as described in Ephesians 6:10-18.  Now what fuels me is knowing that I helped someone in need, seeing my friends come to Christ and even sharing my testimony with others so that they understand what redemption means and that Jesus loves us despite of ourselves.  Although my struggles were many, with God’s Grace, Love and Strength, I am able to live in victory—knowing that the women I share with, gain hope and strength from learning this about me, fuels me to continue on my mission.

What is my mission?  1) To help women and children overcome abuse, neglect and hardship;  2) To teach them that, if we surrender our hurts and pasts to the Lord, choose to let go of them, forgive others and press forward, anything is possible with Jesus in us.

We simply have to truly surrender and not let Satan control our thoughts, emotions or decisions in any way.  This comes not from just being a Christian, but from true relationship with God.  Many women do not understand what true relationship means because we were never shown what healthy relationships looked like as children.  True relationship means simply spending time with the Lord every day (sometimes minute-by-minute), talking, listening, reading His Word and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in all decisions.

When we make a decision, do we ask Jesus his opinion or do we simply make the decision and then pray that He will bless it?  See the difference?  I didn’t, for many years.  I am fueled and fired up for Jesus and sharing Him with others.   How about you?  What fuels you?

Tina Yeager has been an RN for 18 years and the CEO/owner of Ocean to Ocean Healthcare since 1995. She has been nominated for “Business Woman Of The Year” by the South Florida Business Journal. Tina is currently chair of the development council for 4Kids of South Florida, an organization committed to meeting the needs of foster care children. She is also active in a community outreach endeavor that benefits The Boys and Girls Club of Broward County. This endeavor is called “Dunn’s Run”. Tina sits as the chairperson for this annual community event where proceeds go directly to The Boys and Girls Club, and is also a corporate board member and chair of the volunteer committee.