Happy Ash Wednesday! Today is the day Catholics worldwide will go about their daily business with a smudge of dirt on their forehead, and I think that’s beautiful. I’m from one of the Protestant capitals of the world, so I did not know many Catholics when I was growing up. When I saw girls at school with ash on their foreheads, I assumed they had done it themselves with smoky eyeshadow. It wasn’t until I went to college that I met more Catholics than I had ever known, and learned all about their customs. Who knew that not every communion was grocery store crackers and grape juice?

Even though I am not Catholic myself, I respect Lent. It gives you an opportunity to revisit your New Year’s Resolutions, but for God this time! God is much more motivational than the dawn of a new year. Not to mention, giving up something for 40 days is not that long. I think that basically anyone can give up anything for 40 days if they really want to. If you can’t give up something for 40 days, you might have a problem, and Lent allows you to challenge yourself and work through your weaknesses. If you are dawning ash on your forehead today, these Ash Wednesday memes will give your dusty self some laughs.