I met Tina Yeager through her leadership position in a local foster care organization.  As I got to 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

In case you missed it…click here to read Part 1 of Tina’s interview: What fuels the Godly woman?

Click here to read Part 2 of Tina’s interview: What is femininity?

Click here to read Part 3 of Tina’s interview: Words of wisdom for the single woman.

AbbyA: As a single working mom, describe how you balance your priorities.

Tina Yeager: Priorities…How does one begin? The laundry, homework, housework, social activities, the gym, time with the Lord, serving and yes, I have to work 40-60 hours per week to cover my expenses.  It can be a challenge and I won’t say that it isn’t a great struggle some days.  There are days I cry out to the Lord and say, “Lord, You said You wouldn’t give me more than I can handle, but I think You have me highly confused with somebody else! I feel so weak!!!” He quickly then reminds me that I can do all things with His strength.

I have been married my entire life and being a single mom was not in my life plan.  The lesson I learned very quickly is that I had to make a real effort to keep the week’s activities as balanced and routine as possible for my children.  When I first divorced, I busied myself with a ton of ministry and social activities and dragged my children around for most of it…I started to see them act out and hungry for my undivided attention.  I have now set a rule in my house: Mommy gets one night a week for me.  During the school week, we don’t plan a great deal.  It is enough with homework, sports activities and maintaining the house.  Friday nights are family night.  My kids look forward to Friday nights and the fun we have.  We don’t always do big things—sometimes it is just a bike ride and renting a $1.00 movie rental from the local rental box—but whatever we do, it is our time and they love it.  Time goes by so fast and I don’t want them to only remember me working and cleaning.

The other thing that has given us great balance at home has been our nightly devotional.  We lay in the bed, do our devotional (many times after tickle time and pillow fights) and we learn about Christ and how we can apply it to our lives.  We are doing the Children’s Bible in a year.  It has devotionals after each section.  The children enjoy this time and have really grown spiritually from it.  It has blessed our home tremendously.

The most important ministry I have is my children. My greatest desire is to be an example of a strong Godly woman, who uses God’s strength to get me through each day, has the wisdom to follow Him and the desire to help others grow in Him.  What greater value can I give my children?

I also recognize that like each of you, I fail my children at times. I still lose my temper or get frustrated when they have pushed my buttons one too many times.  I find that if I am consistent with consequences, they behave so much better and those times are less and less frequent. I also know the value of  forgiveness: it frees us up to let go of resentment and anger.  I have learned to ask my children to forgive me when I fail.  We are focusing on growing in Love, Forgiveness, Gratitude and Kindness in our home. With Christ’s love and strength, I believe my children will have amazing Godly lives and will pass it down for generations.

Jeremiah 29:11-14: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back from captivity.^[b]

I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the LORD, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

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.