First, let me set the record straight. I’m not here to give any parenting advice. In fact, I welcome advice from those seasoned in the field. With a 20-month-old daughter and a baby boy still hibernating in my belly, I’m still very much a rookie mom—with the only major dramas in my life to date being blowout diapers, spit up and the occasional tantrum.

But I do have something to say about mothers. I had an amazing mom. I am a mom. I have friends who are moms. But none of that qualifies me to be a mom.

So what does? What qualities make a mom? It’s not because you gave birth to a child. Sure, that’s something to celebrate, but there are plenty of amazing mothers out there who have never born children: adoptive parents, stepmoms, and moms of fur-babies—our beloved dogs, cats and other pets.

What qualifies us to be mothers is our character. Do you have what it takes? Check out the list below of five qualities from Proverbs 31 that I believe make the heart of a mom:

#1 – Strong (“She is clothed with strength and dignity” v. 25)
Mothers are strong – they help carry our burdens. They rejoice with us when we are happy, they cry with us when we are sad. They set the example of how we should live and are worthy of honor and respect.

#2 – Brave (“She laughs without fear of the future” v. 25)
Mothers believe the best for us. When we get overwhelmed by our future and the mountains in our path, moms don’t see the mountains, but rather the opportunity to climb over them. They encourage us to reach our goals, overcome our fears and insecurities, and to not let circumstances or others discourage us from becoming all who we were created and destined to be.

#3 – Wise (“When she speaks, her words are wise” v. 26)
Mothers are full of wisdom and advice. Especially when they tell us gems like, “Don’t stand too close to the TV, you’ll go blind,” and “Don’t cross your eyes or they’ll get stuck.” They steer us in the right direction, teach us how to make good choices—often so we don’t have to repeat the errors and mistakes they made or that others have made.

#4 – Loving (“She gives instructions with kindness” v. 26)
Mothers are loving and patient. They choose to love us, even when we are at our most unlovable. They discipline us for our benefit and show mercy when we make mistakes.

#5 – Nurturing (“She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness” v. 27)
Moms are the ultimate nurturers. They look to the wellbeing of others, often at the cost of their own comfort. They sacrifice their time, sleep…even their personal goals and dreams…to ensure that our needs are being taken care of.

Ok, let’s be honest. If you’re like me, you may feel like you possess these qualities to a certain degree…totally winning at motherhood one day and falling flat on your face the next. That’s another great quality called “being human.” And frankly, if you don’t have that quality….well then you “might” just live at the zoo.

But here’s the truth of the matter. Being a mom takes grit, resolve, and a commitment to strive to be the best so you can give your best.

So to all the moms, moms-to-be, moms who want to be, and moms who have suffered loss…to ALL the women out there who are strong, brave, wise, loving and nurturing…I applaud you. I salute you. I celebrate you.

The world is a better place because you are in it.