To the Moms at Home on International Women’s Day:

According to many of the headlines, this day doesn’t seem like it was meant for us; like what we do inside these four walls doesn’t represent strong women. But when I stand back and see my weary self in the mirror, unstoppable strength is what I see; strength and heart.

Because while we aren’t marching in the streets with signs, we are marching around the rooms of our houses, lulling babies to sleep, picking up toys, making meals, and cuddling littles with middle of the night fevers.

While we aren’t out in the work force and climbing “the ladder,” we are in the trenches of our homes, scrubbing toilets, talking through tantrums, and shaping tiny hearts. Tiny hearts that will one day go out and change the world.

And while we aren’t locking arms with other women in protest, we are joining other mama’s spit-up-filled arms in our towns, helping fight for each other’s sanity and encouraging one another to lean on the One Who created us for this hard job.

While we aren’t getting dressed in our work attire and putting on a full face of makeup, we are donning our cleanest pair of black leggings, pulling back our messy buns, and brewing a strong cup of coffee, ready to tackle the day ahead with heart and diligence.

And while we aren’t fighting for pay raises or equal rights in the work place, we are getting paid with hugs and kisses, songs and special snacks, and long embraces from our hard working men when they walk through the door.

And yes, even while some days we wonder why we have chosen this job and how we will make it until bedtime, this is what we know: There is something terribly profound about being a mother, knowing that He has entrusted us in raising Godly children for His glory. It is joyful. It is messy. It is consuming. It is fleeting. But it is one of life’s greatest callings, raising these little souls for His kingdom. We were made for such a time as this: a time to march at home, a time to work hard, a time to lock souls with other women, a time to put our weary souls on the line, and a time to fight at home for the hearts we are shaping.

Yes, today is International Women’s Day, a day for all women, even for those of us with in the walls of our homes. Let us boldly and proudly stand knowing that who we are is enough and that what we do is changing the world, one family at a time.

And that is strong.